DVD Drive Disappeared - Resolved!

[badun]

My SATA Samsung SH-S203B has disappeared from this system:

Q6600
MSI P6N SLI Platinum
Vista 32 Ultimate
2 PATA HD's
1 PATA Lite-On CD-RW

I was messing around all weekend trying to get SLI to work (8600GT's) when I decided to take a break and burn a movie. That's when I noticed the Sammie was gone. It does not show up in Explorer but it is listed in the Device Manager under "Other Devices". It also shows up on the boot messages. It has power and I tried switching it to a different SATA port to no avail. I renamed the PATA CD but that didn't help the missing DVD at all. I unplugged the PATA CD entirely and that didn't help, either. I even installed SP1 RTM and that did nothing! Although, fortunately, it didn't break anything. I'm completely befuddled!

 

[robisbell]

http://support.microsoft.com/?...-us%3B314060&x=12&y=13

that should fix the issue.

 

[Narse]

Originally posted by: robisbell
http://support.microsoft.com/?...-us%3B314060&x=12&y=13

that should fix the issue.

? You must be running Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Media Center Edition, or Windows XP Tablet PC Edition to install and to use this Guided Help.

OP is using Vista not XP.

Try to remove your device from the device manager and disconnect the SATA cable. Boot the system with it disconnected and then shutdown reconnect it on a differant SATA port and boot into Vista and see if it now shows. If that does not work try the device in another system to ensure it is functional.

 

[robisbell]

the filter are still there in the registry, doesn't matter if it's vista, XP Pro 64bit.

 

[jackschmittusa]

Vista link

This page also mentions a utility that may be used to get more info on the drive.

Installing new audio and video drivers as well as apps that support burning can rewrite the filter stacks for optical drives.

One quick physical test for the drive is to try to boot from it. You can use the Win disc, a cd that came with a retail hd, etc.. I usually use a Linux live cd, numerous versions of which can be downloaded for free.

 

[badun]

Thanks, these will definitely help me progress with diagnostics when I get home from work tonight.

 

[imported_Baloo]

Originally posted by: robisbell
the filter are still there in the registry, doesn't matter if it's vista, XP Pro 64bit.

Robis is correct, Narsse hasn't a clue.

 

[badun]

Problem solved! It took these steps:

1. Deleted registry keys as specified. Rebooted, but did not resolve problem
   Shut down, unplugged SATA cable, booted, shut down.
   Plugged SATA cable in different slot, booted, and it magically appeared!

Thanks to all for the help, this is by far the best PC help experience I've had on the Web. It was so good that I'm going to post for separate help on my failed SLI experiences.