My HP Pavilion dv9730us --- I lost my CD-ROM (burner) drive....

[fymichaud]

Hi -

I lost my CD-ROM drive....when I put a music disk in it, I can hear the drive operating but the drive never shows up (Windows doesn't display it exists) and no action is taken.  I still have my computer set up that iTunes should pick up and copy the disk (music).  I've re-installed the latest BIOS....I cannot see the drive so I cannot un-install and re-install the drive's software driver.  I am utilizing Vista. 

What should I do? 

Your help would be greatly appreciated. 

[DavidPK]

Hi,

First, try the automated fixit from Microsoft on the links below.

Vista

Check if the drive is now working.

If the drive is not working, from the Start Menu, open the Control Panel and click on Device Manager.  Click to open the IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers.  Right click on the first channel and select uninstall.  Do not delete drivers if asked.  When uninstalled repeat the process for each channel.  Also if an ATA controller is listed, right click and uninstall this, again not deleting drivers if asked. Then open DVD/CD-ROM Drives.  If it shows up, right click the drive and select uninstall.  Do not delete drivers if asked.

Reboot the PC and let Windows reinstall the devices.  Check the drive again.

If it still isn't working, run the automated fixit from Microsoft on the link below again.

Vista

Next, from the Start Menu, open the Control Panel and click on Device Manager.  Next click to open DVD/CD-ROM Drives.  If the drive shows up, right click the drive and select uninstall.  Do not delete drivers if asked.  When the device has uninstalled click on the 'Scan for Hardware Changes' icon ( usually just below Help on the toolbar ).  Let windows reinstall the drive and see if it now works.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes,

DP-K

[fymichaud]

Thanks for taking the time in replying to my post.  Unfortunately, I've tried both options and my drive is still "missing"...not showing up.  I've even tried to delete the upper and lower limits in my registry....I did not have a lower limit so that option did not work either.  Do I need to purchase a registry cleaner application?  Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

I sure miss my drive.

[CherylG]

Try a hard reset>>

1-remove power cord and battery

2-press power button for 20 seconds

3-reinstall only power cord for first startup

4-power on

[fymichaud]

I followed your instructions, Cheryl, but this did not solve the problem...the drive is still not being recognized (displayed) by Windows.  The drive is working...I can hear it spin and start up when I put in a CD music disk...

Any other suggestions?

[Huffer]

Is the drive visible to the BIOS and can you boot from it? Try to see it in BIOS and boot from a known good bootable CD and/or DVD. If it is not in BIOS and not bootable you need a new drive. If it is bootable it is asoftware issue, although you have tried all the fixes I have to suggest. A reinstall of Windows may be in your future or a new drive. Post back if you want some help finding a new drive. If I were a betting man I would say you have a dead drive.

[fymichaud]

Hi,

How do I see this from the BIOS?  I'm afraid you've lost me there...it just so happens that I recently updated my BIOS via HP Update and this is exactly around the time I lost my drive....I did try to go back to an older BIOS but this did not seem to help...

Could you please give me instructions on how to see if my drive can be seen from the BIOS or how to boot from it?

********************************************************************************************************************************

Is the drive visible to the BIOS and can you boot from it? Try to see it in BIOS and boot from a known good bootable CD and/or DVD. If it is not in BIOS and not bootable you need a new drive. If it is bootable it is asoftware issue, although you have tried all the fixes I have to suggest. A reinstall of Windows may be in your future or a new drive. Post back if you want some help finding a new drive. If I were a betting man I would say you have a dead drive.

[DavidPK]

Hi,

Tap away at f10 as you start your PC to enter your bios setup menu.  Look at the list of devices the computer can boot from and see if the CD/DVD drive shows up here.

For reference, check the link below.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph07110&dlc=en&lc=en&cc=us#N409

Best wishes,

DP-K

[fymichaud]

DONE.  Yes, the CD/DVD drive is there in the boot sequence display. 

What now?

Thanks.

[DavidPK]

Hi,

What I'd try next is to go back in to Device Manager, click the View tab and select 'Show hidden Devices'.  Now look down the list for any device that has an error icon next to it, right click it and select uninstall.  Next, click to open the IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers.  Right click on the first channel and select uninstall.  Do not delete drivers if asked.  When uninstalled repeat the process for each channel.  Also if an ATA controller is listed, right click and uninstall this, again not deleting drivers if asked.

Then reboot the PC and let Windows reinstall these devices.  When done, check whether the drive has appeared.

Best wishes,

DP-K