Here is my issue and I have no clue how to resolve it.

Operating System =WInXP Home SP2 and it is a Dell Computer.

All my removable media drives – A-floppy, D-CD Burner, E-CD/DVD Burner, USB Thumb Drives, Card reader on Printer are having this problem. No problem with 2 hard drives or other usb devices or serial port printer.

The files on these drives can only be seen if the media is in the drive when booted. If I enter the media (floppy, cd, dvd etc) after booted the error message comes up saying device is not formatted. I can even boot from the CD.
I can access the A: floppy if I am in safe mode but not in normal mode.

If I have the cd/dvd in the drive when I boot I can see the files and move them to the hard drive etc. but if I eject the disk and then immediately put it back in, I get the error again.

I can use Nero to back up files to the cd/dvd at any time but when it tries to check them it says there is no disk in the drive. The backup files are actually on the disk though.

I can use sonic to copy cds from one drive to the other but can not open these in windows. I can look at them in Nero and the files are all there.

All these drives can be seen at some time or another so I do not believe I have hardware issues but instead have some software or settings issues. I have updated drivers, bios and repaired WINXP from the CD but still have the issue. I also used FIXMBR and chkdsk so far. I used Regseeker and RegCure in case they needed to fix a registry problem. I looked in my BIOS and they are not turned off.

All of these items are identified correctly in device manager. They show the correct drive names. They say they are functioning properly, NO they are not. I have updated drivers if I found them.

I am pretty computer literate ( at least I thought I was) so if any other info or tests need ran let me know and I will do it. I have been working on this on and off for a while.

There may be a gap in time for my responses as my wife is going in the hospital for an operation this morning.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot.

Gene

Please go to Start > Run, and type devmgmt.msc

Do any of the items in the list have a Red X or a Yellow ! next to them?

No they do not and when I open the catagories device manager identifies them correctly.

Please go here:
DriverAgent.com Fix Your Driver Problems Instantly with DriverAgent

And do one of their free scans. Which of your devices has a Red X (just about every PC will have some, it's just important which in this case)?

Yes I have a red X by 7 items, Bus Master IDE Controller, Plug and Play Monitor, Instant USB Wireless adapter, Intel Pro/100 M Network Connection, HP laserjet 1000, TV Card aux driver, tv card video driver.

I tried to click on download link but I must join for 29.95 and I am unemployed at this time. Should I go to Dell's website or else to get drivers?

I think I mainly need to look for the Bus Master Controller right?

Try going to Dell's website for the drivers. If it is not there (which it should be; get the latest BIOS while you're there too), we'll find out where we can get it for you.

P.S. If you ever can, I highly suggest signing up for DA. I need to renew mine; it ran out about two months ago and I've been useless without it.