Optical drive not being recognized

[Vish]

Hi

Today, my DVD re-writer drive stopped being recognized by the computer, I have a vaio PCV RS406. Its the stock writer that came with the desktop when I purchased it, I think the model number of the drive is DWU-14A.. but not sure... The drive does not show up on My Computer, and any disc I insert is not recognized. I have no idea what went wrong lol hence the reason I'm posting this here!

Is there anyway to check if something is wrong (physically - like a loose wire inside or something:smileyconfused: ) without opening up the system? By say if the port or whatever its called that the drive is linked up to inside when it operates can be checked to see if it has a connection?

Hope someone can help!

Thanks in advance,
Vish

[Blencogo]

Hi Vish.

Have a look in Device Manager and see if there is an error code against your drive.

Start>Right-click My Computer>Properties>Hardware>Device Manager

Expand DVD/CD ROM Drives - I would expect there to be an error code (thirty-something).

If there is you can fix it by editing your Registry: -

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
2. Locate the UpperFilters value under the following key in the registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

3. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click OK.
4. Locate the LowerFilters value under the same key in the registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

5. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click OK.
6. Quit Registry Editor.
7. Restart your computer.

NOTE: After you remove the Upperfilters value and the Lowerfilters value, if you notice lost functionality in a particular program, such as CD recording software, you may need to reinstall that software.

Good Luck!



EDIT: May be a good idea to set a System Restore Point or take a backup of your Registry just in case you delete something else by accident!!!

:smileynerd:

[Vish]

Hey,

Thanks for the fast response! I checked device manager, and there are no error messages, it shows 2 drives, both as Cd-rom drives. I know that I have three in total, 2 real ones (K: and F: ), and one virtual drive(G:). F is the dvd writer thats not being recognised.

This is whats under the CD/DVD Rom section of the device manager:
- AXV DVD/CD-ROM SCSI CdRom Device
- Generic DVD-ROM SCSI CdRom Device

Any ideas?

[Vish]

Just wondering, could the drive be broken itself? Maybe replacing it will fix the problem?

[rich912]

Just wondering, could the drive be broken itself? Maybe replacing it will fix the problem?

This is indeed the most likely cause if you have no error messages in Device Manager, but try uninstalling all DVD/CD drives (in Device Manager) and then re-boot and let windows discover the drives and install the appropriate drivers. I doubt somehow that this will solve your problem but, as it cost nothing, it is worth a try.

[Blencogo]

- AXV DVD/CD-ROM SCSI CdRom Device
- Generic DVD-ROM SCSI CdRom Device

That's odd - these both look like VIRTUAL drives to me - certainly the second one is!
Are you using Alcohol, Nero Image Drive or Daemon Tools?

I think you should have:
Sony DW-U14 DVD-RW
HLDS GDR-8162B CD/DVD ROM (Hitachi)
I would have guessed your drives were IDE not SCSI - but I'm probably wrong.

Device manager is not recognising the Sony drive (and perhaps the Hitachi as well) as being installed and it does not try to install it when you boot up. This sounds like the cable has become disconnected or the Controller has expired.

Have you looked inside to see if the cable is connected securely?

[Vish]

I'll have a look inside, but to be honest I have never even opened it so I dont see how any wires could have gotten disconnected.. This is really weird

[Vish]

Just checked, I can't see anything that looks like its been disconnected at all inside...

[Vish]

Are you using Alcohol, Nero Image Drive or Daemon Tools?

I have all of the three programs installed on my system, yes.

[Blencogo]

The first drive looks like Alcohol and the second Daemon Tools

Probably there is not going to be an easy answer.
No Power?
Poor Connection?

Try Rich's suggestion of uninstalling all CD/DVD drives - reboot - and pray!!