I have 2 problems and maybe you guys can help me with the first before i even have to mess the CD ROM install.
My cpu is an HP pav. 6813w with a light scribe dvd rom.

My initial problem is my dvd rom will not load up SOFTWARE cds but will load media cds like music,movies,writable cds with pics on them. It does recognize what software is on them but will not boot. Any ideas on that one?

Second: So after not being able to figure that out I figured I would just install an old cdrom from my old dell cpu. But the connections(ide) from that are different and don't exist in my hp. I don't even no what to call them in the hp. I looked on the back of the old cdrom to see if I could put the right connection cable on the back of it but did not see anything that would match to the hp.
Any help Guys?
ThanksThe 1st issue i have with your post is that a search for your computer as an "HP pav. 6813w" produced no results. So would you please recheck and correct the model of your computer. Your reference later on to different type of connection cable in your old cd rom to what is available in your computer ( is it a laptop or a PC by the way?) would tend to indicate your computer has ONLY SATA connections available. However without knowing what the actual computer is it is hard to know what really is available. When you refer to CPU you are reffering to the "central processor unit " of a computer. I am sure you mean to just say PC/laptop/or computer. Did your optical reader that is not able to read software discs ever do so? If so when and what happened (if you know ) to change things?We will be in a much better position to start dealing with your problems when we have the answers to the above questions. truenorth
P.S. A WARM welcome to the CH forums.Thanks for the welcome truenorth.

It is a desktop and the model # I just pulled off of the info sheet that it came with from the store. The only thing that I can find on the outside is "HP Pavilion". I do have a part # but it must be for microcenter's info because I googled it and this is what I got.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0317878

Which is my actually computer, if that helps any.

The rom problem has always existed though. The first time I tried loading a software disc I thought it was just a bad disc. And then the second time I realized it must be the a rom issue.

I should also add that i'm running windows 7 to.OK , That is a nice looking computer you have--lots of very nice features. Before we actually get into your Cd reading issue. Is the computer you have one of those micro center refurbished ones? The reason i ask that is that if it is still under warranty (90 days) i would urge you to keep an eye on the clock to deal with the issue under warranty (if we cannot solve it here).
I was concerned that because your Win 7 is a 64 bit O/S that perhaps your issue is being caused by software that is 32 bit. However research seems to indicate with a few exceptions (which i will indicate0 that should not be a problem.
"Most programs designed for the 32-bit version of Windows will work on the 64-bit version of Windows. Notable exceptions are many antivirus programs.

Device drivers designed for 32-bit versions of Windows won't work on computers running a 64-bit version of Windows. If you're trying to install a printer or other device that only has 32-bit drivers available, it won't work correctly on a 64-bit version of Windows. If you are unsure whether there is a 64-bit driver available for your device, go online to the Windows Vista Compatibility Center." quote from a Microsoft web site.
So unless the ones that you have tried fall into the categories above it should not create a problem. Do you have another computer that you can try the software discs in to see the result? Are these programs commercial discs as opposed to SOMETHING non commercial? If they are software it may only be that they are not doing an "autorun". Have you looked at the various icons to see if there is an "install" application icon? If so clicking on it should execute your installation sequence. truenorthActually the warranty issue is not something I wanted to admit to because I bought an extended one with this computer and it recently ran out even though I suspected there might be a problem. lol Thats what you call dumb procrastination.

I have tried to boot the disc several different ways by right clicking and using all of the booting options like autorun or just install option. I can access all of the info on the disc, it just won't run the program so I know my rom is working to some degree i guess.

I guess let me explain how I came to all my conclusions thus far with some more specifics. The first software I tried to load was office 2007( a brand new copy out of the box) and it wouldn't load/boot. And i got that taken care over the phone with microsoft, they were able to load it over the internet for me. So i had just assumed it was a bad disc even though it looked flawless.

Then the 2nd software I tried to install was "realflight" which is an RC flight simulator and I was having the exact same problem.
The blue disc loading icon spins for a few seconds than just stops and nothing. No matter how I try to load it.

I suppose I do need to run these discs on another machine to make sure they're both not damaged, but I just don't think they are. Which was my reasoning for wanting to install that older cdrom on my HP. But I think it does have the SATA connections and not the ide ones.

Thanks for your time.Problem 2 Answer: I think that one of these sort of things is your only solution to the data interface problems: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812270236&cm_re=SATA_-_IDE_Adapter-_-12-270-236-_-Product

I hadn't realised that they were phasing out IDE so completely already.Quote from: Accessless on January 23, 2011, 05:40:31 PM

I hadn't realised that they were phasing out IDE so completely already.