Support Information:
Device Type: CD / DVD
Manufacturer: Samsung
Model: super writemaster SE-S184M
Interface: USB
Operating System: Windows XP Professional
Age of Device: < 2 years old
FCCID:

Type of drive: cd-rw, dvd (rewriter &amp; dvd rom combo)
Location: external
What recording software are you using?: Other

Find it on DriverGuide (http://members.driverguide.com/index.php?action=srch&sm=b&aax=&qa6=911&qa5=3&qa7=1500&dp=2&qm0=super+writemaster+SE-S184M&jmd=and&fzz=d) | Find it with Google (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Samsung+CD+%2F+DVD++super+writemaster+SE-S184M+Windows+XP+Professional+) | Research manufacturer Samsung (http://members.driverguide.com/index.php?action=getinfo&companyid=911)

This drive does not require any driver other than what is provided automatically by the OS. Here are some things that would cause one to fail:

1: bad drive
2: a problem with the cables
3: using a non-powered USB HUB (the optical drive needs to connected directly to one of the REAR USB ports.)
4: an under-powered power supply.
5: a problem with the mainboard USB ports. Check in Device Manager to insure ALL USB ports are reported by Device Manager as working.

When a USB drive is plugged into a rear usb port, Windows XP will show a notice that the system has detected new hardware and a follow-up notice that states "the device is now ready to use" [automatically without user intervention.] With internal IDE or SATA drives, there is no notice of "new hardware detected" during detection/installation. You won't even realize when an internal drive has been detected/installed until you look in "My Computer" and see it listed there.

In summary, an external usb optical drive should be ready to use within 5-10 seconds after the drive has been connected to a working (rear) usb port. ie: front usb ports don't always provide adequate current to run an external usb drive, so always plug the hefty devices to a rear usb port. And if using a HUB, make sure it's powered externally with a wall-wart type power supply. This will insure that the on-board power of 500ma. max will always be available for other usb devices.

The XP os provides native support to the drive that allows it to read a data or music disk and to burn a cd-r disk. Any other function will require 3rd. party
software, ie: Nero or Easy Cd/DVD Burner from Roxio and you will need dvd decoding software like WinDVD or PowerDVD in order to play dvd movie disks.

Perform this test: while at the desktop, unplug the drive and replug it into a different rear usb port. Watch the monitor screen and tell me what you see during bootup.