When you try to use the CD drive in Windows XP, you receive the error message "The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error"

When you try to install a program or copy data from a CD drive in Windows XP, you may receive one of the following error messages:

This error message indicates a problem with trying to read or write to a device, such as a hard disk, CD drive, or network drive. This issue may occur for any of the following reasons:

• Windows is trying to use a transfer mode that the CD drive cannot use.
• The hardware that you are trying to access is damaged or failing.
• The device drivers for the hardware are faulty or incompatible.
• There is a connection problem, such as a bad cable.
• The CD that you are trying to access is damaged.

Many common problems related to reading a CD can be resolved with one of these simple steps. Try these steps first to see whether they resolve the issue.

• Restart the computer, and then try the CD again.
• Use a cleaner disk to clean the CD Drive.
• If you have another computer available to you, try to access the data on the CD with the other computer to make sure that the CD is not damaged. If the CD is inaccessible on the other computer, clean the CD and try again.
• If you do not have another computer available, try a different CD in the CD drive to make sure that the problem is with the computer and not with the original CD.

If the problem is resolved and you no longer receive the error message, you are finished. If the problem remains, continue to the next section.

There are several methods that you can use to troubleshoot and try to resolve the problem. Try these methods in the order in which they are presented.

This article is intended for a beginning to intermediate computer user.

You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first.

Method 1: Make sure that all cables are connected correctly

If the CD drive is an external drive, such as a USB device, make sure that the cable that connects the drive to the computer is working correctly. If the cable fails, the CD drive will not function correctly. If you have another cable, try to use it, and also try to connect to another USB port.

Note Changing cables for an internal drive for a desktop computer is recommended only for advanced computer users, because there are many internal items that can be easily damaged. You should not try to change cables inside a laptop or portable computer.

If securing the connection, connecting to another USB port, or using a different cable resolved the issue, you are finished. If this did not resolve the issue, go to method 2.

Method 2: Start the computer in a clean boot state

Try to perform a clean boot of the computer to determine whether a program or driver is conflicting with the CD drive. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: If a clean boot resolves the issue, there may an incompatible program or driver on the computer. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: If this method resolved the issue, you are finished. If this method did not resolve the issue, go to method 3.

Method 3: Change the transfer mode for the CD drive in IDE Channel Properties

If the transfer mode for the CD drive was changed or is incorrect, Windows cannot transfer data from the CD to the computer. You can resolve this issue by changing to the correct transfer mode. To change the transfer mode, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type devmgmt.msc in the Open box, and then press ENTER.
   
   The Device Manager dialog box opens.
3. Expand IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers. A subset will open, listing the different IDE ATA/ATAPI channels for the computer.
4. Right-click the channel where the CD drive is connected, and then click Properties. Typically, this channel is Secondary IDE Channel.
   
   Warning Do not change the Primary IDE Channel, Device 0, because this is typically the system disk. Changing this transfer mode setting may cause the computer to operate incorrectly or not at all.
5. On the Advanced Settings tab, select PIO Only in the Transfer Mode box for the device that represents the CD drive. Typically, this is Device 0. Then, click OK.
6. Test the CD in the CD drive.

If the issue is not resolved after you change the transfer mode for the secondary IDE channel device 0, the CD drive may not be located there. Use the same procedure to change the transfer mode back to DMA if available. Then, repeat steps 1-6 to change the transfer mode for IDE devices in the following order until the issue is resolved:

• Primary IDE channel, device 1
• Secondary IDE channel, device 1

If this method resolved the issue, you are finished. If this did not resolve the issue, try method 4.

Method 4: Check the status of the device in Device Manager

You can check the status of the CD drive in Device Manager to make sure that the device driver is working correctly. If there is a hardware failure or a software conflict preventing the device from operating correctly, usually Device Manager will detect the problem. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: If this method helped you resolve the issue, you are finished. If this did not resolve the issue, go to method 5.

Method 5: Contact the hardware manufacturer

There may be updated firmware or device drivers for the CD drive. Contact the manufacturer of the hardware to determine whether there is a firmware or a device driver update available. For information about your hardware manufacturer, visit the following Web site: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information. If this method did not help you, and you are comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, go to the "Advanced troubleshooting" section.

If you are not comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, go to the "Next Steps" section.

Try to access the device on another computer

If you have tried all other methods, you can physically remove the CD drive from the computer and install it in another computer to determine whether the hardware is damaged. If the problem persists and the CD drive does not function on a different computer, the hardware may be damaged. Contact the manufacturer of the hardware for help. For information about your hardware manufacturer, visit the following Web site: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information. If this troubleshooting step did not resolve the issue, go to the "Next Steps" section.

Similar problems and solutions

If you have tried all the methods listed in this article and the CD drive still does not function correctly, you can try other support articles to help you troubleshoot the problem. For more information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Contact Support

If these methods did not work for you, you can use the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web site to find other solutions to your problem. Some services that the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web sites provide include the following:

• Searchable Knowledge Base (http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1) : Search technical support information and self-help tools for Microsoft products.
• Solution Centers (http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=hub) : View product-specific frequently asked questions and support highlights.
• Microsoft Customer Support Newsgroups (http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/default.mspx) : Contact counterparts, peers, and Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs).
• Other Support Options (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=csshome) : Use the Web to ask a question, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services, or provide feedback.

If you continue to have problems, you might want to contact Support:

For help with CD or DVD drive problems in Windows Vista, visit the following Microsoft web page: