Could a faulty optical drive cause system freezing?

Hey there, my full blown error thread can be found here (if you scroll down you will se my more recent updates), but at the moment, I am stuck trying to figure out whether or not an optical drive messing up could have some serious performance repercussions.

This is because my computer is freezing pedantically and I took Windows' advice and assumed it was my HDD which was corrupt.

I bought a new one, installed it and everything seems all right at the moment, the only problem is is that I am on a fresh install of windows and my optical drive is being temperamental - sometimes working, other times not even realising it has a disc in it. When it does realise it has a disc in it, the applications (such as driver installers) crash mid-way through their process - my computer locks up and begins to freeze again, but this time, I can just eject the disk and everything sorts itself out almost straight away.

I am super frustrated because it also doesn't recognise any USBs so I cant get any drivers on there since my internet connection is a wireless adapter and my optical drive is, as mentioned, screwed.

What do you guys think?

It's starting to sound more like a motherboard on the fritz than anything else, given the various problems you are having.

DeaconFrost said:

It's starting to sound more like a motherboard on the fritz than anything else, given the various problems you are having.

Yeah, thats what I have been told.

What are my options here? New motherboard? Is there some way I can flash the BIOS into working again? Ive jumped the board recently with new hardware installs to defaults and no real solutions have come of it.

If the motherboard is dying, there's no software/BIOS fix to resolve that. You'd be replacing it or having it replaced if it happens to be under warranty.

Alright, if its the motherboard I guess its time to get a new one!

Thanks dude; + rep

I'd also reset the BIOS to defaults: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

If that doesn't help then unplug the optical drive to see if the freezing stops. Try another OD to get your drivers on.

Hi John. Yeah by unplugging he can test if OD is causing freezing. Trying another drive will tell if it's the cables, too. OD's can go bad.

I suggested the BIOS reset in place of his proposed reflashing, which should be a last resort.

He seems to think the USB failure is a lack of drivers so he needs to get those in next to see if it points any further to the mobo.

If not then work through these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7