DVD/CD-RW combo unexplainably not working

Question

Greetings, everybody! I have a Inspiron e1505 with a DVD/CD-RW combo drive. The drive has always worked until just today when I tried putting a DVD in, and it simply behaved as if there were nothing in the drive. I tried putting some CDs in, too, with the same results. When I went to My Computer, it didn't have the CD drive listed as one of the drives--instead, it just has a blank, nameless icon (you know, the one that usually symbolizes an unknown file type). I did a system restore, but it is still behaving the same way. I'm hoping this is just a driver I need to download or something? I can't afford a new drive! ;; Anyways, any advice or pointing me in the right direction would be GREATLY appreciated (I live on my computer XP)

Skybird · Answer

Look in the Device Manager .............

Start | Control Panel | System in classic view | Hardware tab | Device Manager

Click on the (+) next to DVD/CD-ROM drives. Right-click the drive and select
Properties. Is there an Error Code (number)?

SeraA · Answer

Hmm...I just did that, and it said that the device was working properly. I stuck a DVD in to see if it wasn't lying to me, and it's working again 0.o Maybe it just wanted me to check it? :/ Well, I suppose I'm glad it's working now--I just hope it stays that way! If not, I'll probably come crying back to this forum, hehe XD

saguy46 · Answer

I just started having the same issue today.  I try uninstalling and reinstalling and get this error: Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39). I tried updating the the firmware but when I try to flash install I get this error: Target NEC ND 3530A is not found correctly. Anyone have any suggestions?  This isn't the first time this issue has cropped up.  I'm afraid to call Dell technical because the idiots they have manning the phones always have me reinstall windows.

Skybird · Answer

Try this Dell Article for removing the Upperfilters and Lowerfilters
in the Registry here .............

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=1B791FDD8FD0473EA268BE881319EBC5&c=us&l=en&s=dhs

Disregard the reference to Roxio.

saguy46 · Answer

Thank you very much!  It is working like a champ.  Any thoughts as to why it decided to wig out?

Skybird · Answer

This started with the release of Windows XP. It first showed up during
the removal of Roxio burning software; thus, that is why the article refers
to Roxio. Since that time, it has been discovered that can happen after the
removal of any burning software or sometimes with non-burning software.

Storage, Drives & Media

DVD/CD-RW combo unexplainably not working

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