"No CD/DVD devices found" after booting from FreeBSD 6.2 CD 1

[Josh Carroll]

> Because before it starts it relies on BIOS to provide services (in
> 16-bit x86 mode), but after the kernel starts, it must use its own
> drivers (32-bit or 64-bit, depending on your choice) and it seems it
> doesn't have the right drivers. Most CD/DVD drives are standard and
> register as ATA or SCSI drives but, as you see now, there are those that
> require special support.

It looks like the chipset on that particular Dell model is the NVIDIA
nForce 430. Others have had success with that chipset, and even a
similar Dell model according to this page:

http://www.freebsd.org/platforms/amd64/motherboards.html

You may want to try updating the BIOS. The entry for the Dell E521
mentions a BIOS update.

Josh