driver

[sail2012]

Tried to install an ASUS DVD E616A3T dvd-rom drive into a Dell Inspiron 531 running Vista Home Premium but Vista couldn't find appropriate driver. Didn't install. Tried manual installation but very limited choices for devices, ASUS products limited to "hybrid capture" devices not optical drives. Have 2 open SATA connections, and I tried both with similiar results. Asus not seen nor is new hardware seen. Tried Asus download firmware. Received error message "No matched Devices." Dell 531 supports 2 optical drives and this would be the second drive. Primary drive is a dvd/cd burner. Looking for a driver to install the ASUS drive.

[Steve]

Hi sail2012,

does the DVD appear in the BIOS startup Screen along with your other Optical Drive?

regards

Steve

[sail2012]

no. the DVD never appeared in the BIOS startup screen.

[Steve]

Hi sail2012,

if your hard drives appear and also your other DVD in the BIOS then either the new DVD has a wrong jumper setting or it is faulty. Either would cause Vista not to see it,

regards

Steve

[sail2012]

In the BIOS startup screen both the hard drive and the DVD combo drive appeared. The new drive never appeared in the BIOS sartup screen. Tried different SATA connections and new SATA ribbon cables but nothing happened. This particular SATA drive has no externally accessible settings. Only external connections are for the SATA ribbon (a keyed connection) and the power connector. Agree with you, drive is defective. Pulled same from system and am returning for refund or exchange. (Whatever the seller's policy is.) Again, my hats off to you and many thanks, Pardner.

[Steve]

Pardner,

you are welcome and thanks for getting back to us,

regards

Steve

[sail2012]

Finally installed ASUS DVD E616A3T into Dell Inspiron 531 running Vista Home. Device originally not seen in BIOS and no available "generic" drivers to install it into Vista. Problem was BIOS configuration. In BIOS, Advanced, Integrated Peripherals, SATA Controller was configured for only 2 of 4 SATA connections. Dell had it set to SATA 1 which enabled ports 0 (HDD) and port 1 (installed DVD-RW drive); ports 2 and 3 were disabled. Three choices in set are: Disabled (no sata ports), sata 1 ( 2 ports), and finally sata 1+2 (all 4 ports.) Set it to Sata 1+2. Had to exit and save changes. ASUS found by Vista and correct drivers automatically installed. Upgraded (flashed) Asus Bios with latest downloads from Asus. Works great. Many thanks, Pardner.