Windows XP Professional, but 32-bit or 64-bit?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Good morning:

There is only one speaker inside the PC.

Not sure what could be wrong with the DVD drive.

You can buy a genuine, used replacement on eBay.  Actually an upgrade because it is a CD-RW drive too.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-COMPAQ-DC7600-SFF-GENUINE-CD-RW-DVD-ROM-IDE-DRIVE-S0HC-4836K-390851-00...

[Alan255]

Good afternoon Paul,

The replacement DVD drive looks the best option.  Used another music CD: again, drive correctly recognises the number of tracks but completely unable to play disc.   Checking through My Computer: local disc has 69.4 GB free of a total of 74.5 GB, well not far short of 80 GB so Windows 10 might work reasonably, if slowly.  Will follow up your link later, many thanks.

I removed the graphics card and yes, connecting monitor to the proper output, I do get a video signal.

The JBL speaker gives more than adequate volume.  The CD player seems not to send an audio signal and/or Windows Media Player unable to sense a CD is inserted.

The supplied TDK disc comprises Adobe Photoshop Crack Full Version, CS3, and presumably a copy made for me.  It's dated 24 August 2012.  That must be the first copy, as i don't take over this dc7600 until about summer 2015.  Norton 360 scanned it, no threats.  Unable to open it in my Toshiba, but not important.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

So, mechanically, it seems like the PC works OK with the exception of the DVD drive.

It shouldn't need a separate audio cable that goes from the drive to the motherboard.

It is a 4 pin cable.

If the DVD drive was working properly, you should at least be able to play music and if you needed the audio cable (which I am pretty sure you don't), there would just be no audio.

The DVD drive has two lenses.  One plays CD's and one plays DVDs.  It has two lenses because the focal points are different to play a CD vice a DVD.

Does your PC have DVD playing software installed?  It will not play DVD's without DVD playing software.

Could be Roxio, PowerDVD or some similar software.

[Alan255]

Hi again Paul, sorry for the 24 hours delay.  Am shattered after all this!  Plus, a Microsoft Update after my previous reply.

Yes, PC seems in good physical order.  Ah, just seen the insert photos icon! 

[Alan255]

These photos look fantastic, they look better on the HP Community website than on my Toshiba, and that uses latest Microsoft photo viewing facility.  I'd swear HP has added a 3-D effect, it's even better than on my camera viewscreen!

2 out of 4 DIMMs duff.  Must be down to me, as when demonstrated, all OK.  Only used Photoshop, never used CD drive.Graphics card is Quadro NVS280 PCI, Made in China, BIOS Version 4 34 20 57 A4, which means nothing to me.  Just as well that works OK (so far). Wikipedia does NOT include my Pentium 4 microprocessor.  It's 2004, e1.  CD-drive,  no date seen now, could have sworn I saw November 2004 on it, but seems not.  

Didn't import a photo of CD-drive.  But yes, only the P6 wiring input (from power input casing, that connector marked P4), Yesterday, I thought that was the CD-drive OUTPUT, but that output must be the ribbon cable.  You  are correct, no wiring attaches to motherboard, so not 'missing' any wires.  The CD-drive inpout is indded 4 pins and it has 4 pins.

Will now answer your other points.

[Alan255]

Re DVD playing software, i'd say dc7600 does NOT possess this.  Unlikely to be sort of thing Barclays Banking Group would have installed. Had waded through what was available on Windows XP: the sole app is Abobe Photoshop Crack.

And even the mysterious TDK CD was Adobe Photoshop Crack Full Version, CS3, added by my social contact who provided the HP , 2 x monitors and various black leads.  If coloured leads unavailable, will use coloured Ducktape at both ends!

I have CD/DVD player on the Toshiba.  But, for upgrading from W XP to W 7,  will need replacement HP CD-drive.   It seems doable.  Unknown whether a duff CD-drive was reason this desktop placed in faulty equipment room at Barclays.  I suspect not, as banking set up would be a LAN.  Cannot believe data was stored on movable media, like CDs and USB sticks.  

Cannot resolve conflicting messages between CD-drive and Media Player being unable to play a CD.  Mechanical shock implied, possibly the laser beam bit is shot?  Discs do spin, load and unload.  However,REST of desktop seems in good order.

Have saved your link for replacement CD/DVD player on eBay. Will research on downloading DVD playing software.

Huge thanks again.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Yes, those photos look good.  I forgot how the memory is staggered in the SFF.

I had the dc7600 CMT, and the memory slots were lined up straight across.

No need to look for DVD software.  I have what should work for you below...I shared the link to my Skydrive folder.

Download, unzip and install the software in the folder labeled DVD8SE.zip.

It should work on older HP PC's.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!ApMb5dJXSS-Dggen6t_Lt2eggvfZ?e=vRJ97R

Here is the link to the Intel specs on the processor your PC has...

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/27478/intel-pentium-4-processor-630-supporting-...

[Alan255]

Good morning again Paul,

The dc7600 CMT is a fine machine, I'm also proud to to at last own an HP product.  Currently adding new SVGA cabling, Amazon.  Most described as VGA to SVGA.  On 22 inch or so monitors, Windows XP image looks grainy...good in its day, but how things progressed in last 2 decades.  Black is only colour available for cables though!

Assuming can complete this project, will do a general post, with before (W XP) and after( W 10) photos.  If can complete.  

Have downloaded the file DVD8SE.zip, comprises 1, 2 and 3 files.  Plus, presumably, the file folder.  All are 33.6 MB.  Have Sent the initial file to USB stick, 34,484 KB.  Opened it wit BreeZip.  Usually unnecessary to actually Send or Copy it,  but wonder how else can I install it to dc7600?  I need something like this, male to male VGA to USB.  this particular product not usable on W XP; other examples don't say any restrictions:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/FOINNEX-Adapter-Converter-Windows-Multiple-USB-3-0-VGA-Cable-2M/dp/B079212Z...

Or this, as MOST examples very short lead:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neoteck-Adapter-Converter-Support-Nintendo/dp/B07V22FYG2/ref=lp_6911813031_...

Has to be USB out to VGA in rather lost on these VGA to USB/HDMI converters..  Anyway, can ponder later.  For NOW, attempting install via my USB stick Copy may work.

And re the Pentium 4 processor, yes that the on.  With HT, Prescott, 90nm, can support 64-bit, manufactured late 2004.  AND, has relocated date on the CD-drive.  By unlatching the bright green latch on base of drive: November 2005.  That's the most recent date, hence PC was released in Nov 2005 or even later.

Community website being updated.  Sending now, as had to reload my earlier Send!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

I forgot that XP doesn't have an unzip option.

Install the free 7-zip utility on your dc7600  That is the easiest one to use.

https://www.7-zip.org/

Right click on the zipped file, select Extract all, let it extract into the folder name, and then you can run the 130kb setup application file inside the folder.

[Alan255]

Many thanks Paul.

HP Community website still undergoing upgrade.  Earlier, I'd unzipped your DVD-software thing on Toshiba, and had thought Windows XP would then recognise it.  But seems it will not.  Did rightclick the 7-zip.org, but Extract all does not come up.  At this early stage, I suspect I do not need DVD capability to attempt upgrade to W 7.  I do need however an operable CD capability.  May attempt Uninstall then Reinstall this CD-drive?  If that has no effect, I can tackle the DVD capability once W 10 is installed?

Currently stumped on how to disco the IDE connector for the ribbon cable.  Relevant HP Troubleshooting or Removal page just arrows it and says disconnect.  And that page is not fully open.