Cannot boot from external USB dvd drive...

[talin]

Hello, I have an Inspiron E1705, just recently purchased a Plextor 608cu USB dvd/rw drive.
In testing it, I've tried to boot from it using a windows install disk, but my computer will not recognize the drive as bootable.
I contacted plextor, in which they replied:
"Our engineering in California tested the 608cu and the results are below
Thanks
Dan
Either BIOS limitation or setup. I can boot to XP install disc from 608CU and ASUS A8N. Setting in BIOS Boot sequence to boot from CD, 608CU moved to top of list for CD-ROM."

I tried every single BIOS setting. USB Emulation is enabled, USB Storage and DVD/RW drive are first on the boot list, internal hdd last.
I even go into the one time boot menu (F12), and my drive is not there.
Any ideas at all? There are no firmware updates for the drive, and I'm using the latest Dell BIOS (A09).
I contacted Dell about it, and all I was given, was a link to download a driver for the Ricoh memory card!

Any help would be appreciated.

[talin]

Oh, and I know the drive constantly has power, even when I turn on the laptop.

[talin]

No ideas?

[jojoinnit]

XP or Vista?
Make sure the drive has proper drivers installed. Back in the day I would have said you dont have DOS drivers installed, but these days it could be anything.

Also, head to the Free Clinic over at http://www.maximumpc.com

[talin]

Hmm thanks. I'll try that, makes me wonder. Drivers are not necessary, as "these days" (lol) the BIOS emulates usb devices.
Strange indeed though.
EDIT: And I'm running Vista. But again, I'm trying to boot a bootable cd, before windows loads. So it's the BIOS for sure that controls that.

LOL @ your sig. I just got it.

[talin]

OK, does anybody know, if the Inspirons use an internal USB Hub? Considering it has 6 USB ports, I suspect it, and that may be the problem why I can't get it to boot.