What is in your config.sys and autoexec.bat? Did you add a line like this for example in your config.sys:

DEVICE=C:\AUDIODRV\ES1868.COM /A:168 /I:B

This is needed to enable the IDE controller on the ESS1868F. Also did you disable the secondary IDE port on your primary IDE controller (if available)?

Yoghoo wrote on 2024-01-15, 19:51:

What is in your config.sys and autoexec.bat? Did you add a line like this for example in your config.sys:

DEVICE=C:\AUDIODRV\ES1868.COM /A:168 /I:B

This is needed to enable the IDE controller on the ESS1868F. Also did you disable the secondary IDE port on your primary IDE controller (if available)?

Config.sys:

DEVICE=C:\AUDIODRV\ES1868.COM /A:168 /I:B
DEVICE=C:\VIDE-CDD.SYS /D:MSCD001 /P:168,11

Autoexec.bat:

C:\AUDIODRV\ESSCFG.EXE /A:220 /I:7 D:1 /B:D /J:E
C:\AUDIODRV\ESSVOL.EXE /V:8 /L:8 /W:8 /M:0 /C:8 /S:8 /A:0
C:\DOS\MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD001

Just changed CD-ROM Driver,same issue. CD-ROM Works fine as slave on the motherboard controller. The motherboard has only one IDE Port.

What is the output of your config.sys and autoexec.bat. Where does it not work? Maybe try another /I: option (IRQ) /I:C or /I:A. Make sure it's free though.

"No drives found". I`ve tried all the IRQ,DMA. Game port is disabled. At the moment I`m not sure if there is a problem with the card or just the device drivers. I`ve rememberd how frustrating it was back then when everything was ok but it just didnt work. A second ISA Controller would work,if I don`t get the sound card going?

See if the soundcard software/utilities/drivers have a .SYS driver you can use in config.sys instead of VIDE-CDD.SYS.

konc wrote on 2024-01-16, 08:31:

See if the soundcard software/utilities/drivers have a .SYS driver you can use in config.sys instead of VIDE-CDD.SYS.

It doesn`t. I have tried the Teac driver too,same thing.

I didn't get it to work as well on a 286. But I blamed it on the motherboard not having PnP abilities.

You can try another cable (40 or 80 pin cable) and play with master/slave/cs settings on the CD ROM. Options are correct but it can also be an IRQ or address conflict. Are you sure they are free?

At this moment I`m not sure of anything. I`ll try another cable,but my hopes are low. My motherboard is an early 486 board,it does not have PnP.Could this be an issue? I just want to use the CD-ROM,could a separate IDE controller work,next to the onboard one,which has just one port?

Well, the problem sorted out by itself. It booted and the drive was found. I have no explanation, the config. Sys and aut0exec. Bat were untouched.

Tks everyone for help.