I am having the exact same problem. Mine doesn't involve a laptop, however, but a desktop. I have built many computers from the ground up before, but lately I have been running into this problem. I haven't been able to figure it out either. Here is the scenerio:
The computer is a AMD 1400+ cpu, plenty of RAM, high-end video card, with a Maxtor 40 GB hard drive and a CD-Rom drive. The HD is set to Primary Master, and the CD-Rom is set to Secondary Master; both on completely different IDE cables. When the computer boots up, the BIOS recognizes everything perfectly, and appears to run smoothly with no complications. I then install Windows Me ( and have also tried it with Windows 98, 98SE, 2000) and again it goes smoothly. Once the OS is completely installed, of course by using the CD-Rom drive and everything, Windows no longer recognizes the CD-Rom drive. And like the previous posts there is a 'yellow exclamation mark next to the hard disk controllers', stating there is a problem with the master and slave controllers. I have tried to update these controllers using the Windows CD and the manufacturers website, but neither work.
Trouble Shooting Techniques Taken:
1. Have switched out the CD rom drives with spare ones that work, but still isn't recognized.
2. Have taken out the hard drive and put into other working computers in the house, but still problem exists.
3. Have tried using different motherboards and hard drive combinations, but still receive the same results.
There is, however, something I have noticed that may be insignificant but will post it here anyways: I have always used Maxtor drives when building my systems. Lately Maxtor has been putting there format utilities on CD. Of course since the cd rom drives are noticed in the bios and startup, there is no problem with formating and partitioning the drive. However, if I try to format the drive with the older versions of the Maxtor floppy format disk, all I get is an "up arrow key" icon and the computer basically stops running (no keystrokes seem to respond). I don't know if the old format disks dont recognize the newer drives, or if this has anything to do with the problem or not. Just thought I would post it in case it rings a bell with someone else.
I have put many man hours into attempting to solve this problem, but have come up empty-handed. If anyone knows how to solve this problem, please post here or email me: Spyderr911@aol.com Subject line: "Cd Rom not found in Windows solved"
Thanks to all that post and try and help.
