Just for your info, I installed and sucessfully tested and external DVD
connected via Fireware (similar to yours) and 2 weeks later, when I connect,
Tablet sees the PCMCIA fireware 'card' and the DVD at the other end of it and
even shows the icon of the DVD in 'My Computer', but refuses to open the
media therin (either DVD or CDs).

Tablet thinks the drive is empty and keeps asking for media.

The error is similar on a non tablet PC supporting your hypothese.

Odd and frustrating, I will try the tweaks recommended by your suppliers.
PaulA
------------------------
"Chris H." wrote:

> Pretty incredible, Mickey. Please file that one away for the next person.
> And now we know the drive works, too. 8-) Could be expansion and
> contraction if you've had a swing in temperatures, too.
> --
> Chris H.
> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
> Associate Expert
> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>
>
> "Mickey Segal" <not_monitored@example.com> wrote in message
> news:uIFvMZacFHA.1152@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> > "Mickey Segal" <not_monitored@example.com> wrote in message
> > news:uBMGMiZcFHA.220@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> >> "Chris H." <winxpnews********.com> wrote in message
> >> news:ebgbc$VcFHA.4028@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> >>> Bummer. You might be able to tell if you go back to the Restore Point
> >>> in System Restore prior automatically created with the June critical
> >>> updates, then try the device again. Bothers me a bit that you can't
> >>> check to make sure the device itself is functional.
> >
> > I called the tech support number for Motion Computing shortly after they
> > opened today, and the tech support guy had me pull a release latch on the
> > external DVD drive to remove the drive from its external holder and
> > replace it. Then everything worked. The whole call took a few minutes.
> > As I can now test, the DVD entry in Device Manager appears when the
> > plugging-in chime sounds and disappears when you unplug the drive
> > connector.
> >
> > The contrast between the Motion Computing online help and their telephone
> > help was amazing.
> >
> > Although with a portable computer one always wonders whether it was
> > jostled, the DVD drive has not left my desk since last used and it is hard
> > to imagine why it would have gone on the blink (unless a week of 100%
> > humidity had something to do with it).
> >
>
>
>

In my case the DVD drive did not show up in Device Manager so these cases
sound different.

"PaulA" <PaulA@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A43195C9-0DB2-4346-A9C1-4694100ADB23@microsoft.com...
> Just for your info, I installed and sucessfully tested and external DVD
> connected via Fireware (similar to yours) and 2 weeks later, when I
> connect,
> Tablet sees the PCMCIA fireware 'card' and the DVD at the other end of it
> and
> even shows the icon of the DVD in 'My Computer', but refuses to open the
> media therin (either DVD or CDs).
>
> Tablet thinks the drive is empty and keeps asking for media.
>
> The error is similar on a non tablet PC supporting your hypothese.
>
> Odd and frustrating, I will try the tweaks recommended by your suppliers.