Win 7 CD Drive missing

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jimmy83

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James
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Any ideas as too why the CD Drive is missing in my computer? Its not showing up in disk management either :thinking:
 
Is it showing an error code by any chance?
this may be of use http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms681381(v=vs.85).aspx

You may have joy with this http://support.euro.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&docid=DSN_362974&isLegacy=true&l=en&s=dhs

After trying everything I ended up here, I had code 19 error, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/982116/en-gb and was forced to do registry edit. But you need to be happy messing around in this. While I have W7 I used the Vista edit. But if goes wrong please don't blame me. It went ok for me and the drive came back (for once I got lucky).
 
Suomi said:
Is it showing an error code by any chance?
this may be of use http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms681381(v=vs.85).aspx

You may have joy with this http://support.euro.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&docid=DSN_362974&isLegacy=true&l=en&s=dhs

After trying everything I ended up here, I had code 19 error, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/982116/en-gb and was forced to do registry edit. But you need to be happy messing around in this. While I have W7 I used the Vista edit. But if goes wrong please don't blame me. It went ok for me and the drive came back (for once I got lucky).
Click to expand...

Cheers, yeah from what Ive read it might need a registry edit.

Where would I find these codes btw?
 
Go to computer > system properties > device manager
your CD/DVD should then be showing a warning triangle click on that
you will need to have a look around on the tabs and symbols as now mine is ok I am struggling to remember what the very final part was.
 
Suomi said:
Go to computer > system properties > device manager
your CD/DVD should then be showing a warning triangle click on that
you will need to have a look around on the tabs and symbols as now mine is ok I am struggling to remember what the very final part was.
Click to expand...

Can't even see the CD drive in device manager :thumbsdown:
 
None of the connections have worked loose have they?

Also try this: My computer > Click on organise and then folder and search options > click on view tab > Under advanced settings click on show hidden files, folders and drives > click on apply and then OK - Does it show up now?
 
Keith W said:
None of the connections have worked loose have they?
Click to expand...

The machine is a laptop, I should have added that earlier.

Keith W said:
Also try this: My computer > Click on organise and then folder and search options > click on view tab > Under advanced settings click on show hidden files, folders and drives > click on apply and then OK - Does it show up now?
Click to expand...

Yeah I did already try that, nothing :(
 
Keith W said:
They can still work loose

What make and model of laptop is it?
Click to expand...

Yeah true, when I put a disc in it seems to spinup ok. Crappy Medion. Well its a good spec, just not build well. So yes in theory I guess it could be a loose connection!
 
neil_g said:
if its not showing in device manager then its probably either come disconnected, the drive had died or the connector on the motherboard has died.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, do you think a re-install of windows is worth a try?
 
I'd say a re install trial was worth it just to see if the drive works still. Put the install disc in and reboot and see if it starts from the DVD. If it does the drive works and there is some kind of driver problem.

If it ignores it and boots from the hard drive check the BIOS is set to boot from CD. If the CD drive doesn't appear in the bios as an option then it's definitely hardware failure. Get a cheap USB plug in drive?
 
My wife's HP has a mode where it saves energy by disabling the CD drive, I usually find a re-boot starts it up again, seems flakey in that sometimes it "sees" it and sometimes not, I suppose that's 7 for you :)

Not tried it when on mains, it may just be the battery mode? Sometimes?

Matt
 
MatBin said:
My wife's HP has a mode where it saves energy by disabling the CD drive, I usually find a re-boot starts it up again, seems flakey in that sometimes it "sees" it and sometimes not, I suppose that's 7 for you :)

Not tried it when on mains, it may just be the battery mode? Sometimes?

Matt
Click to expand...

you can disable that on the device properties page. had a few laptops that disabled the network cards because of that, which was useful..
 
You can try the registry edit detailed in the link below. I had the same issue a while ago and it fixed my laptop's DVD drive.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic441654.html

Be careful as editing the registry incorrectly can write off your Operating System and should only be carried out if your conifident of your own abilities.

I take no responsibilty if the worst should happen......

Good Luck !!!!
 
Last edited:
It won't write off the pc if incorrectly edited. It may need a recovery or reinstall of windows. However you can backup the registry before editing it.
 
PsiFox said:
It won't write off the pc if incorrectly edited. It may need a recovery or reinstall of windows. However you can backup the registry before editing it.
Click to expand...

Correct, I misused the word "PC" but I should have said "Operating System"...
 
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