So here are the steps for Troubleshooting a CD ROM

1. If you get the message I had reboot your system and enter the setup (bios settings). You do this quickly before it goes into windows usually with a few seconds after you turn it on.

2. Basic Bios settings are supposed to show the IDE controllers. The HDD would be the master and generally the CD is on the secondary IDE controller. If you have a DVD and CD-RW combination or CD and CD-RW combination one will be the master and the other will be slave.

3. If one of the other is not accepted. Shut down your system and exchange the cables between the two. Never change cables while the PC is turned on. You could harm you motherboard.

4. Once you have exchanged the cables boot the computer. If you have only one CD exchange it with the HDD cable and go into bios again. Check to see what is recognized if suddenly the HDD is missing and CD is recognized you have a bad cable and require changing it. If the HDD is on the second and the CD is still not shown shut down the system and switch back the cables and be sure to check that the tray button on the CD ejects the tray. If it does not turn it off and switch the power cables and see if once you turn it on your CD is recognized and the tray opens.

5. If the tray does not open still and it still is not recognized you have a bad CD and it requires to be changed.