Can't Fix bad dvd driver

[laezyre]

After I completed a thorough scan and fix of my hard drive, I noticed that my lite on dvdrw was no longer functioning. It was not listed under the my computer drive section and had the yellow error (!) in device manager. When I click properties in device manager, it says the driver is missing or corrupt: error (39).

I've tried to update the driver manually and automatically. Each time it says I have the best driver. I've uninstalled it and when windows restarts it says it can't load the driver. It says "failed" after attempting.

I changed the sata cable and the dvd player(with a new spare) with no luck.

It's possible my hard drive is having errors, but after doing the scan disk, everything else is working. Why can't I simply reload this driver?

Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[QueBert]

optical drives have no drivers. I would try removing the SATA controller in your device manager and rebooting, it's possibly that will fix it. Also if you have a bootable cd (like an XP disc) try booting with that. As you tried multiple drives + cables I would assume it has to be something in Windows. You might want to also try a different SATA port on your MB if you have a free one, just to rule out a bad port.

 

[laezyre]

Thanks for quick reply.

I failed to mention that I went into device manager 5-6 times and clicked the uninstall option. when I rebooted, windows tries to intall the device but says failed(and to check with the drive's manufacturer etc.) and nothing changes.

I also failed to mention that I tried 2 other sata ports (with no luck) before I swapped out the cable and the dvd device itself. I could try another port with the new dvd I guess.

I went ahead and rebooted with the vista 32 dvd but nothing changed.

One thing I don't understand. The error in device manager is on the lite on dvd player. Under properties it says "windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware." After I uninstall it in device driver and either reboot or click on "scan for hardware changes," I get the message: " Device driver software was not successfully installed."

So some software driver appears to causing a problem with the dvdrw player. Or at least that's the message I keep getting.

Thanks again.

 

[hennessy1]

Try deleting the upper and lower filters. I know this does not specifically apply to your driver issue but couldn't hurt.

1) Close all open programs
2) Click on Start, Run, and type REGEDIT and press Enter
3) Click on the plus signs (+) next to the following folders

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

4) This folder is the DVD/CD-ROM Drive Class Description in the registry. Look for any of the following names in the right hand column.

* UpperFilters
* LowerFilters
* UpperFilters.bak
* LowerFilters.bak

5) If any of the above keys shown in step 4 are listed, right-click on them and choose Delete
6) After deleting the keys, close the Registry Editor
7) Reboot your computer
8) Open My Computer and check to see if your CD or DVD drives have returned. You may also want to open Device Manager and verify that the yellow exclamation and error code on the CD or DVD drive is gone

 

[laezyre]

Hennessy1,

That worked like a charm. Thanks a bunch, it really made my day. I never would have known to do that.

Is it likely that my hard drive had errors that caused this? I wonder if I need to buy a new hard drive, or if errors are more common on todays drives.

Thanks again.

 

[hennessy1]

Your welcome. I wouldn't assume it's the hard drive. I have had that issue happen before and my hard drive was fine. Some install or uninstall seems to be what caused it for me since it was fine at a fresh windows install but after some of my programs it started happening.

 

[laezyre]

Do you work in IT? I've never edited my registry like that before. Is there a good reference site or guide available for regedit?

Thanks again.

 

[hennessy1]

Yes I do. There are a few books that you can use. You can take a look at your local library and see if there something you'd like. When I have a particular issue and I can't seem to resolve the problem I look all over certain websites and see what other people have done. You have to be careful with that though. If their talking about a different problem then yours then you will be changing the registry for a problem that doesn't exist but can after you do that.

 

[laezyre]

It seems like most of my difficult problems have always involved my registry. Other than 1) backing up my settings and restoring them if I have problems and 2) Using the registry "cleaner" programs, I don't know much about registry editing.
I'll look around for some registry publications. Thanks.

 

[QueBert]

Editing the registry, you want to be careful, and when asking for help online be careful whatever people suggest you to do your registry. Not knocking hennessy1 at all. But I like to double check registry help I get on Google just to be safe. Some people on some forums will give what sounds like knowledgeable advice, but they have no idea in hell what they're talking about. AT seems to have a majority of pretty intelligent people so I wouldn't worry here. but I cannot vogue for other sites. And I've even seen people on other sites give out information that would cause a computer to not boot. Probably not intentionally. I have took others advice and rebooted to see a BSOD or "file missing" error. Luckily I'm crafty with a boot disc + the repair console lol.

 

[laezyre]

I can see how changing your registry could go badly. I have made numerous restore points and have an emergency startup disc. I hope not to use them.