My cd rw is not sensed by pc

Does it appear when you try to connect it to some other computer?
If it NEVER appears, then try a different USB cable.
If it still fails to appear, something is broken.
Open the casing, remove the "dead" CD/RW drive, and replace it. Close the casing. Try again.

You can burn any type of file on a dvd-rw disc. However your cd burner must be dvd-rw not cd-rw. To verify your device open my computer (on most pc's) you will see drive c (your hard drive) and drive d which is your cd rom it should say dvd-rw.
You may also need dvd burning software for more information about this click here http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/expert/jones_02november25.mspx

open the drive and adjust the screw near senser

this is almost certainly a dirty lens on the writer. clean it with a lens cleaning disk.

try dell.com for driver downloads for your drive.

or uninstall it from your device manager and reboot and it might fix itself

Hey Bruce - In your first post you said DVD+RW works which would make sense. In your comment you said that DVD-RW works which would not make sense. You've got to be sure. I'll you what it is supposedly direct from HP/Compaq:

Your PC will " supposedly do the following":

CD, DVD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW. These as I said are straight from the horses mouth. You can check for yourself.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00192548&lc=en&cc=us&lang=en&os=228&dlc=en&product=426016

PLEASE RATE FIXED if I answerd your question or please don't rate at all. It only hurts our ratings. I've done what I can for you. Thanks Bruce. If you need more help just add a comment and Ill be happy to assist you further.

Jeff

You may try this dvd creator for mac, I always use it to burn music and dvd, it works pretty well for me
http://macdvdcreator.mac-dvd.com

You might have knocked the cable our when installing the extra ram.

Take the cover off avail and find the cable that connects the motherboard to the first drive then then the second.

Push it in firmly at all 3 connections

If this doens't work try removing the ram and rebooting - see if your drives come back

open ur pc and check for loose connection. specially the power supply.

Check your other post