DVD and DVD-RW drives have disappeared!

Jeff Lynne · 16 Sep 2009 at 13:03

As per title really, when I open My Computer neither icon are there? I'm running Vista SP2.

How can I get them back??

5abr3 · 16 Sep 2009 at 13:09

First thing is to check the data and power cables are connected!

How old is the system and is it a custom build or a manufactured computer?

sketch145 · 16 Sep 2009 at 13:10

Are they still showing up in device manager if not, you could check the connections inside the case (perhaps try the cables in different SATA/IDE ports) and/or download up to date drivers for your model of drive and install them and see if that helps at all.

edit: beaten to it

Jeff Lynne · 16 Sep 2009 at 13:17

It's not a custom build, I've not been inside the box so surely they shouldn't disconnect?

I'm just thinking this is a software rather than hardware issue.

Kennysevenfold · 16 Sep 2009 at 13:18

Unplug them (power and data) boot up.

Shut down and reconnect them.

See if they are now detected in the bios.

Jeff Lynne · 16 Sep 2009 at 13:19

Odd, in the device manager it says

Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. (Code 19)

Click 'Check for solutions' to send data about this device to Microsoft and to see if there is a solution available.

But I've not altered anything.

5abr3 · 16 Sep 2009 at 13:21

Looks like windows has been upset by something... You don't happen to have a registry backup from CCleaner or similar do you?

Kennysevenfold · 16 Sep 2009 at 13:23

System restore.?

Jeff Lynne · 16 Sep 2009 at 13:25

5abr3 said:
Looks like windows has been upset by something... You don't happen to have a registry backup from CCleaner or similar do you?

No

Is a system restore painful? I've only ever done one with XP.

Kennysevenfold · 16 Sep 2009 at 13:27

Jeff Lynne said:
No

Is a system restore painful? I've only ever done one with XP.

Not at all, should only take a few minutes, wont do any harm so worth a go

Jeff Lynne · 16 Sep 2009 at 13:40

That just rolls back to a previous point before I installed a program doesn't it? I first noticed this issue about a week ago when I tried to install some camera software from a cd-rom, so restoring back to yesterday won't help I shouldn't think.