[MiloFox08]

I've got a typical problem, that my disk drive won't show up under my computer, so simply put, nothing loads when I put a CD/DVD in it.

I probably would have solved this problem by now if it weren't for the fact that basically every page I go to for a solution assumes that the disk drive will show up in disk management. well mine DOESN'T. I mean, it shows up under device manager and under disk drives (labeled as "ST3500410AS ATA device" which another person confirmed SHOULD be my disk drive)

and the same solution I get over and over is "go to disk management and add a drive letter etc." but I can't do that if it doesn't even show up.

so basically, my disk drive ISN'T actually broken or anything as far as I know, but I can't find out how to fix it.

I added a few pictures for clarification:

(the first picture shows the missing disk drive under my computer, although the disk drive shows under device manager. it even says "this device is working properly")


(this is where it DOESN'T show up, but also where everyone suggests it should show up)

Edited by MiloFox08, 13 November 2010 - 06:07 PM.

[Advertisements]

Hello MiloFox08.... Welcome to GeeksToGo,,




Everything you attached shows the HD there. Are you talking abotu a optical drive?
I'm confused as to what you are asking about. I see your HD in every picture you attached.

[rshaffer61]

Hello MiloFox08.... Welcome to GeeksToGo,,




Everything you attached shows the HD there. Are you talking abotu a optical drive?
I'm confused as to what you are asking about. I see your HD in every picture you attached.

[MiloFox08]

not my hard drive, I mean the drive in which I put in CD/DVD/'s.

those are called disk drives right?

there's nothing wrong with my HD, just the drive in which I put in CD/DVD/'s. it shows up in one place (the device manager) but nowhere else

edit: they're called optical drives?... woops. I always thought hard drive was different from disk drive :\

then yes, I mean optical drive

Edited by MiloFox08, 13 November 2010 - 06:15 PM.

[rshaffer61]

Ahh ok you are talking about a optical drive then.
Broni's canned speech:

One of these may help:
1. Uninstall the drive through Device Manager.
Restart computer. The drive will be automatically reinstalled.
or...
2. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060
Restart computer.
or...
3. Download, and run Restore Missing CD Drive patch
Double click on cdgone.zip to unzip it.
Right click on cdgone.reg, click Merge.
Accept registry merge.
Restart computer.
or...
4. Go to Device Manager, click a "+" sign next to IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers.
You'll see two items:
- ATA Channel0 (or Primary Channel)
- ATA Channel1 (or Secondary Channel)
Right click on each of them, and click Uninstall. Confirm.
Restart Windows. They'll be automatically reinstalled.
5. Go to Microsoft's site http://support.micro..._drive_problems and follow the steps.
6. Try the guide at this link http://support.microsoft.com/kb/982116

Thank's to Broni for the instructions

[MiloFox08]

thanks. I'll try these and let you know how it works.

I'll be specific here. I've actually tried two of those already. haha I mean it when I say, I've googled the crap out of this. I haven't actually seen a few of your suggestions though, so that gives me a bit of hope.

[rshaffer61]

I hope one of them helps and please let us know if any do help.

[MiloFox08]

quick question. under ATA/ATAPI section, I see two of each

2 of: ATA channel 0

2 of: ATA channel 1

how would I know which one to uninstall? or should I just uninstall all of them?

[rshaffer61]

Is the cdrom attached to the same cable as the hd?
If not then you would use the 2nd one.

[MiloFox08]

here's what I got with that "fixit" program

simply "CD/DVD drive is not detected.

and I have tried all of the other options. although I'd say of all things, registry files are my absolute weak point in computers, I did exactly what you said, only it didn't have a "merge" option when I right clicked

[rshaffer61]

Are you sure the drive is working?
Have you tried it in another system?

[MiloFox08]

I don't really have another computer to try it on, but I remember, it stopped working after one night I did a bunch of stuff to my computer

basically, my old graphics card was screwing up my computer, so I switched it for a better one the next day. I also switched operating systems to windows 7 the same day, and that's when I realized my optical drive stopped working. up until today, I decided to switch back to windows vista because of some problems.

I don't know what's left to try out :\

[rshaffer61]

Are you sure the power and the cable are connected correctly to the back of it?

[MiloFox08]

that IS something I make sure of every time I take apart my PC

as a matter of fact, I'm VERY cautious of when I do things to my PC. I make sure I don't accidentally disconnect anything.

I'm a very careful person

[rshaffer61]

OK if you are sure then it comes down to the drive itself as being faulty.
Since you stated the following:

here's what I got with that "fixit" program

simply "CD/DVD drive is not detected.

This would mean the drive is not operational.
Try going into the bios and see if the drive is seen there.

[MiloFox08]

I know what BIOS is, but I don't know how to get to an optical drive BIOS... where do I look?