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Main Forum => General Computer Support => Topic started by: Buckeye_Ham on April 25, 2014, 02:43:31 pm
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Shane,
Problem Platform: HP Notebook (dv-6734nr) w/ Vista Home Premium (32Bit) & SP1
The built-in CD/DVD drive is missing from the Vista Device Manager. The CD-ROM does appear in the BIOS configuration and is assignable as a boot device. I have tried each of these: 1) HP Support article "CD/DVD Drive Is Not Detected (Windows Vista)"; 2) uSoft KB314060 article "CD/DVD drive not recognized by Windows" {similiar to HP article}; and 3) uSoft FixIt "MicrosoftFixit.dvd.MATSKB.Run". I have also used Windows Repair AIO - Repair #17 "Repair CD/DVD missing/ Not working" (stand alone & w/ #01 Registry Permissions) to no avail. NONE of these procedures, or parts thereof, (including Registry edits) permantly corrected the issue (see further below). It got to the point that I did a complete system rebuild from the HP Factory Restore embeded on the notebook HDD (including all updates and Service Packs) TWICE. The drive was there until!!!
As a note the CD/DVD drive had "come and gone" at various times before and after the rebuilds. I did manage to associate a "return" of the CD/DVD drive with the usage of an external Western Digital HDD, "MyPassport Essential" (WDBAAA2500ABK-00). It occurred while using the WD Utility "SmartWare VirtualCD Manager v1.0.8.3" to enable/disable the virtual CD-ROM on the HDD. But I haven't been able to replicate the results. I have since abandoned all use of the WD HDD on my Vista notebook (have another notebook w/ Win7 and a similar WD HDD - no issue on that platform).
Next step is your recommendation to use the utility TDSSKiller. I'll post the results in a separate entry. [BTW, a REGISTRY export is available if you desire to see it.
Here's hoping!
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Shane,
I ran TDSSKiller and it found nothing (report attached). It scanned: Sys Mem, Svcs & Drvrs, Boot Sector w/ Option for "Use KSN to scan objects". Checked Dev Mgr - no change, still no CD/DVD device.
Back to you!
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Ok good, at least we know it isnt a rootkit getting in the way :-)
OK do this, go to the device manager. Once there go to view and click on show hidden devices. When this is checked it should show all hardware ever on the system and hardware that isnt there will simply be a little greyed out.
Go to the cd/dvd drive section. You should see it listed now, I want you to delete all that are under it, this will uninstall the device from that section and in the registry. I sometimes go through and do this to all the sections removing only old hardware I never use any more. But for now lets just remove any and all from the cd/dvd section.
Once done do a reboot, then lets see if Windows detects the drive at all. :wink:
Shane
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Shane,
I followed the steps above, but as you can see from the attachement, there is no listing for the "CD/DVD" device(s). I discovered that this was the case (been this way the entire time I've been dealing with this issue) when I followed the HP and uSoft KB articles.
The Dev Mgr CD/DVD device entry was there after I rebuilt the OS, including the "internal" CD/DVD drive. However, the internal CD/DVD drive completely dissappeared from Dev Mgr at some point after I connected/disconnected the WD My Passport Essential external HDD. The "CD/DVD" Dev Mgr entry would appear (without the internal drive) when the WD HDD was plugged into the USB. The entire Dev Mgr entry would dissappear when the WD HDD was removed. :confused:
Next Step?
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Ok lets check if you have thisregistry key.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
Shane
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Attached is a snapshot from "regedit" of the key and selected print (pdf) of these two keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\atapi
Nelson
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Ok you see the 000 001 under that regkey? If you check both of those they should be the cd rom drives that have been in the system. I would assume one is the real drive and the other was the virtual WD drive.
10:30 PM for me, I am off to bed, lets continue tomorrow :-)
Night!
Shane
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The sub-keys 000 and 001 in CurrentControlSet seem to be identical as far as I can tell.
FWIW in the attachement there are THREE "ControlSet" enteries in the registry: ControlSet001, ControlSet002 and CurrentControlSet. I've printed the applicable keys from each in the attachment. Note that CurrentControlSet and ControlSet001 seem to be identical. However, there is a difference in ControlSet002 from the others (in the "atapi" key).
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Leave it to MS to have the driver stuff different in the registry for every version of Windows lol
I loaded up Vista in vmware and found these locations that have to do with the cd/rom
Save this info into a .reg file and run it, or if you like just go and see if you have each of those locations :-)
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}]
"Class"="CDROM"
"ClassDesc"="@%SystemRoot%\\System32\\StorProp.dll,-17001"
@="DVD/CD-ROM drives"
"IconPath"=hex(7):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,\
74,00,25,00,5c,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,69,\
00,6d,00,61,00,67,00,65,00,72,00,65,00,73,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,\
2d,00,33,00,30,00,00,00,00,00
"Installer32"="storprop.dll,DvdClassInstaller"
"EnumPropPages32"="storprop.dll,DvdPropPageProvider"
"SilentInstall"="1"
"NoInstallClass"="1"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0000]
"InfPath"="cdrom.inf"
"InfSection"="cdrom_install"
"ProviderName"="Microsoft"
"DriverDateData"=hex:00,80,8c,a3,c5,94,c6,01
"DriverDate"="6-21-2006"
"DriverVersion"="6.0.6002.18005"
"MatchingDeviceId"="gencdrom"
"DriverDesc"="CD-ROM Drive"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CoDeviceInstallers]
"{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}"=hex(7):53,00,79,00,73,00,43,00,6c,00,\
61,00,73,00,73,00,2e,00,44,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,53,00,74,00,6f,00,72,00,61,\
00,67,00,65,00,43,00,6f,00,49,00,6e,00,73,00,74,00,61,00,6c,00,6c,00,65,00,\
72,00,00,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,43,00,6c,00,61,00,73,00,73,00,2e,00,44,00,6c,\
00,6c,00,2c,00,43,00,72,00,69,00,74,00,69,00,63,00,61,00,6c,00,44,00,65,00,\
76,00,69,00,63,00,65,00,43,00,6f,00,49,00,6e,00,73,00,74,00,61,00,6c,00,6c,\
00,65,00,72,00,00,00,00,00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CriticalDeviceDatabase\GenCdRom]
"ClassGUID"="{4d36e965-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}"
"Service"="cdrom"
Shane
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I copied & pasted the registry key info above into Notepad and saved it with a ".reg" file extension. When I tried to "Merge" (from within Windows Explorer) or "Import" the information into the Registry, using the Registry Editor, it doesn't work. The Registry Editor indicates the following in both approaches:
"Cannot import
C:\...\Shane's REGISTRY Key Changes.reg: The specified file is not a registry script.
You can only import binary registry files within the registry editor."
HOWEVER, I know enough about using the Registry Editor to be just short of dangerous! So I went ahead and compared each of the keys you provided above and they appear to be the same as what is in my registry (except that the hex data isn't displayed the = ASCII characters are).
Nelson
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Have to make sure this line is at the top of the file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
You can also go to those sections in your registry, export them out to .reg files and then look at them and you can compare the hex values :-)
Shane
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Thanks for the feedback about including "Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00" at the top. I didn't realize that was required to make the Registry Editor work. I've compared the recommended key changes with what is currently in the registry. They are identical and were already there.
My questions to you are should there be the "0001" sub-key in the "...\CurrentControlset\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}"? Also, should there be "...\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}" and "...\ControlSet002\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}" Keys?
Nelson
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My questions to you are should there be the "0001" sub-key in the "...\CurrentControlset\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}"? Also, should there be "...\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}" and "...\ControlSet002\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}" Keys?
Yes that is normal :-)
OK so the registry keys are in the system to have the device manager show that section. Old drives show up in the registry but not in device manager even when we set it to show all devices, and the cd rom doesn't show up in my computer at all.
So far no infections have been found, I have seen a rootkit do this before, we could always try combofix.exe and see how that does.
Otherwise if it isnt an infection and happened after you removed the WD virtual cd rom then it has to be a registry key that was removed or changed that could cause Windows to not see the cd roms.
Also as a test to confirm the cd rom works and is good, I could have you download Ubuntu Linux dvd. It is a iso fil that you burn to a disk, but since you cant you can use the USB tool to make a usb thumb drive bootable and put it on there. Then boot off the usb drive and you can run unbuntu right off of it. Then once it is loaded see if the drive works in there.
This way we can confirm if it is hardware related or not before we dig in even more into the registry :-)
If you wan to try that Here is the download for the 32 bit unbuntu iso
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/thank-you?country=US&version=14.04&architecture=i386
and the usb tool
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows
Shane
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I'm certain it is not a hardware issue with the drive. After the clean "rebuild" of Vista from Factory Default (both times) I was able to install applications (i.e. Office, ect.) using the CD-ROM. I was even able to burn an Acronis Rescue Media CD (it soesn't work but that's probably operator error and unrelated to the drive HW). So doing the process outlined above, to check out the CD ROM doesn't seem to be necessary.
Nelson
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If you are able to boot off of any cd or dvds just fine then that shows the drive does work.
Next thing to try is to create a new user account on the system and log into that account and see if it shows up. That will at least tell me if the problem is in the profile registry or the system wide registry :-)
Shane
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I created a new user account (w/ Admin priviledges). Switched users (and also logged in a second time after a reboot) and found that the CD/DVD drive is missing in the Device Manager listing. So apparently the issue is in the system wide registry and not in a profile registry.
Here's hoping it will be easy to find. If you need me to send you any parts or the whole registry let me know.
Nelson
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Ok good, so that is progress.
Do this, I use this tool to compare the registry for changes.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/regshot/
Use it and do a first shot and have it save the file. Send that file to me, will be too big to post though, and I will use it and do a compare on my vista system in vmware. While it will retuen a ton of differances I can at least look at the main parts that have to do with the devices and see if I find anything :-)
Shane
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As I write this I'm emailing directly to you a zipped output of Regshot-x86-ANSI (~29Mb).
I'm going to search my PC and see if I can find on a registry backup from before the CD/DVD disappeared. If I do I'll run the compare and send the output to you. Wish me luck.
Nelson
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Update 7:17PM (EST)
I found and I'm sending you a zipped folder containing a Windows Repair AIO Registry backup from my Vista 32Bit system that I’m certain had a working CD/DVD. I went back to my step by step notes of when I rebuilt the system and found where I date/time noted my progress and that the CD/DVD was good. I hope this can be useful to you.
Nelson
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Well both emails sent with the ZIPPED attachments (29Mb and 23Mb) are undeliverable. The exceed the max message size. Is there a way that I can FTP them to you? Email me your reply direct if you prefer not to have the solution posted here.
Nelson
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Just upload them to sendspace.com and email me the download links :-)
Shane
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The two files described above have been uploaded and the link emailed to you. If you could use a Windows Repair AIO Registry back-up of the current registry to compare to the good one from 4-23-2014 let me know and I'll get it to you the same way.
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Ok I am going through it, 606,000+ differences lol
I have to head out in a few to go to a school thing for my girls so I may not have something for you till monday.
One thing I would like you to check, in the device manager Go to the IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers and expand it, How many controls are listed either ATA Controller 0 and 1 or Primary and Secondary.
Open each one and go to the advanced settings tab. Here it should show how many devices are hooked up. Normally the hard drive will be on one controller while the cd rom drive will be on another.
And get me screen shots of this :-)
Reason why is the log is showing a lot of differences there and this is also another way to see if the drive is at least in there.
Shane
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Attached is a screen shot. Upper "Properties" box is the first IDE Channel (0) and the second is (1). If there is anything you want exported from the registry let me know.
Nelson
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Now that is interesting. The first one showing the device in DMA 5 is the hard drive. The cd drive would show up on the other one and normally as DMZ 2 or 4 and yet it shows nothing.
Try uninstalling that 2nd controller and rebooting, also before that go to view and show hidden devices and make sure to remove any old ones that show in there as well. And if possible after you do that shut the computer completely off. Open the computer, if it is a tower and unhook the cables to the cd drive and to the motherboard for it and reseat them.
I am covering all the bases here lol
Shane
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Well, you'll find this interesting. I uninstalled the 2nd device (see "..._base" screenshot). Attached is the result which NOW includes (1) ATA Controller and (3) IDE Channels in addition to normal stuff. All but the last IDE Channel have no devices listed.
BTW the PC is an HP Pavilion Notebook (dv6736nr) with one internal HDD and a CD/DVD. You might see a second HDD listed, if I forget to remove it, which is a Toshiba USB HDD used for backups. As I mentioned earlier in this thread I've abandoned the WD MyPassport Essential (w/ its Virtual CD-ROM) that I used to use on this Vista platform. I convinced the WD "Smartware" Virtual CD-ROM is what caused this issue in the first place.
This just keeps getting more and more interesting. Again, TNX for you help!
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I wonder if I should have you remove all of them and reboot. The cd rom isnt even showing up as a connected device to those when it should. And you did have it set to show hidden devices correct?
Also what is listed under "Other Devices"? And something that I havent actully seen on Windows device manager before, "DriverInterface" what is listed there?
Shane
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I went thru a couple of sequences to remove the "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers" w/o connected devices. I finally uninstalled all the Channels (both ATA and IDE). I physically removed (slid out of the notebook) the CD/DVD drive. Upon rebooting an automatic drive installation began that resulted in one "ATA Channel 0" being added w/ a device connected. I confirmed that this channel is for the internal HDD.
I reinserted the CD/DVD drive which resulted a second "ATA Channel 1" being added indicating NO device connected. I was able to repeat this result without a reboot (pull the DC/DVD drive, uninstall "ATA Channel 1", reinsert DC/DVD drive and then "ATA Channel 1" gets autoinstalled).
Should we be looking at the last controller "Standard Dual Channel PCIIDE Controller"? It is the same "Device class guid", i.e. "{4d36e96a-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}".
Nelson
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What was under the "DriverInterface" section?
Shane
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Ops! There are two Logitech Driver Interfaces. One is "Location 0 (Logitech Hid Filter)" and the other is "Location 0 (Logitech Mouse Filter)".
Nelson
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OK try this. Download and install Clone Drive
http://static.slysoft.com/SetupVirtualCloneDrive.exe
This will install a virtual dvd drive, I use this when I mount iso files. But it will also add a entry in the device manager under cd/dvd drives.
Once you have it installed make sure you have it create a virtual dvd drive and then reboot and lets see if that shows up or even works. :wink:
Shane
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Installed the Cone Drive (see attached) and rebooted. The "DVD/CD-ROM drives" line shows in Dev Mgr w/ "ELBY CLONEDRIVE ..." device under it and nothing else. Interesteringly during the installation a CD-ROM device "briefly" showed up as the only device, then disappeared. After that as the installed completed the device shown in the attachment appeared and remains. Also, "HD DVD-ROM Drive (E:)" shows up in Windows Explorer under Computer. I've inserted a CD and a DVD, but neither are recognized or readable.
I've physically Removed & Reinserted the DVD drive unit with the computer up and running - no effect in DevMgr. I then restarted the computer and removed the drive unit while it was powered down prior to rebooting. I reinserted the drive after rebooting (w/ DevMgr active) - no effect in DevMgr
BTU.
Nelson
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Interesteringly during the installation a CD-ROM device "briefly" showed up as the only device, then disappeared
That is what stands out. It showed up in the device manager then disappeared. The only time I have seen that happen is from the TDSS rootkit, on infected machines with it either the hard drives or the cd rom drive section is completely gone from the device manager.
I mean it was there, something removed it. I wonder if you got hit with something new, or if it isnt an infection, if it might be some other program or driver that is doing it.
We are 3 pages in on the forum, I cant remember, did I have you try combofix.exe yet?
Shane
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I mean it was there, something removed it. I wonder if you got hit with something new, or if it isnt an infection, if it might be some other program or driver that is doing it.
Earlier {refer to the second paragraph of my initial post} I mention that had been using a Western Digital MyPassport Essential (MPE) USB backup drive that is used with the WD "Smartware" program (see attached UsrMan pg#8/physical pg13). Those WD devices contain a "Virtual CD-ROM" that can be disable/enabled using a WD utility, but cannot be removed altogether. I know for sure that my DVD/CD-ROM was working after both Vista rebuilds until I started using the WD MPE. [Didn't realize it the first time, but looked for it the second time.] I know for certain that while enabling or disabling the VCD I had my DVD/CD-ROM return to DevMgr. But I haven't been able to replicate that result.
We are 3 pages in on the forum, I cant remember, did I have you try combofix.exe yet?
We have not tried "combofix.exe". Also, I applogize for the delays in responding - we've been on the move these past few days.
FIX For Drive disappearance issue on Vista & Win7 (XP Scenario 3 at the end)
01-26-201109:20 PM - edited 01-27-2011 11:21 PM
I have come up with this remedy for the drive letter disappearance issue after closely studying My Passport Essential which I own and it may work for you guys as well.
Shane would you check out this discussion thread on the "WD Community" forum. Does this sound like it could be related? I just happened accross it. I didn't want to persue trying anything with a drive letter without your input.
http://community.wd.com/t5/WD-Portable-Drives/FIX-For-Drive-disappearance-issue-on-Vista-amp-Win7-XP-Scenario/m-p/125674
Nelson
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Actually I was wondering if it was possible that some how part of the WD software that disables the cd drive is still on the system. That would explain everything and how after adding the virtual dvd drive it was removed from the device manager.
Try installing the WD software again about disabling the cd drive and have it enable it again and lets see what happens :-)
Shane
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I've taken a series of Screen saves of DevMgr. The "WD SmartWare Virtual CD Manager for Windows Web Release-v1.0.8.3" that enables/disables the Virtual CD (VCD) is a standalone ".exe" that apparently doesn't install itself (but take notice in #2 below of the WD Drive Mgmt device at the bottom of the DevMgr list).
1) The first screenshot [DevMgr (no WD MPE)] does not have the WD MyPassport Essential (MPE) USB drive plugged in.
2) The next screenshot [DevMgr (+ WD MPE, VCD enabled)] has the MPE plugged in with the VCD already enabled. There are devices under "Disk drives", "DVD/CD-ROM drives" and at the very botom, under "WD drive Management devices", the WD SES Device. Note, in the properties shown, both devices under Disk and DVD/CD drives are associated with the "WD SES Device".
3) The next screenshot [DevMgr (+ WD MPE, VCD disabled, no PwrCycle)] is just after running the VCD Mgr witout power cycling the MPE. Note all the MPE devices are removed.
4) The last screenshot [DevMgr (+ WD MPE, VCD disabled, PwrCycle)] is after unplugging and plugging the MPE back into the USB. Missing from the devices is the just the DVD/CD-ROM device.
Going along with your suggestion above I think the next step might be to re-enable the VCD and then UNINSTALL, from DevMgr, each device. The question to you is what should be the order of uninstalling those MPE associated devices? That followed by a reboot to see what happens.
Nelson
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The virtual cd rom we put is still showing up in the device manager. And then you enable the WD its drive shows up but still no trace of the main cd rom drive.
In fact the cd rom drive doesnt even show up under the ide controllers as a connected device. Does the cd rom show up in the bios on the system?
Shane
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Yes, the CD-ROM shows in the Configuration Utility and is "Enabled" in the Boot order. As a reminder I have used the CD drive to reinstall Apps after the rebuilds. What about "uninstalling" the pieces and parts of the WD device?
Nelson
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I know you used the drive to install things before this happened but that doesn't mean it couldn't of gone bad.
But at the same time the timing of it all suggests the drive is fine, but I want to be 100% sure. Use any bootable cd you have and try to boot off the cd, if you can boot from the cd drive then I can at least not have to worry about the drive simply going bad :wink:
And the only reason I say this is because the fact that we have the other 2 virtual dvd drives showing now but still not the real drive.
Anyway you can plug the drive into a different port on the motherboard as well?
Shane
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I know you used the drive to install things before this happened but that doesn't mean it couldn't of gone bad.
But at the same time the timing of it all suggests the drive is fine, but I want to be 100% sure. Use any bootable cd you have and try to boot off the cd, if you can boot from the cd drive then I can at least not have to worry about the drive simply going bad
I reordered the BIOS boot sequence to put the CD drive first. The Notebook booted just fine from the original System Recovery Disk, loaded the OS, and brought up the System Recovery utility. I canceled the System Recovery utility, rebooted & reset the BIOS to put the HDD 1st, before completing a full Restart. Just for grins I checked DevMgr after a normal Restart from the HDD.
LOOK AT WHAT SHOWED UP the internal DVD/CD drive is now there (see Attachment). THIS IS JUST FREAKY!!!!!!! Now I just hope it stays there the next time I restart. Let know if there are any registry or screenshots you want.
Sorry for the delay getting back. Our 4 lb. Tea Cup Poodle had shoulder surgery, so we've been tied up w/ caring for her.
Nelson
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FOLLOW-UP
Did a Restart that included Power Cycling the Notebook (pulled external power & battery). No change, the internal DVD/CD drive is still there. See attached DevMgr for the 4 "ATA Channels". NOTE: Both Channel 1s do not have attached devices.
What's next? Uninstall the 2 Channel 1 controllers?
Nelson
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Hi, bukye
Have your problem solved. Shane , what is the exact problem that the thread owner has. By seeing the De.mr.i could not find what the problem is . Please
Have you tried this fix
http://support.microsoft.com/mats/hardware_device_problems
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Hi, bukye
Have your problem solved. Shane , what is the exact problem that the thread owner has. By seeing the De.mr.i could not find what the problem is . ...
jraju,
Take a look at my very first post. It explains the problem of the missing internal DVD/CD-ROM drive. As of right now the problem has cleared its self. However, I would like to be sure that it not likely to happen again especially since the action, (booting from missing device) "accidentally" fixed the problem and was not expected to do that. We were only out to prove that the CD device was actually working (which it does).
Nelson
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Ha! Good to see it is working :-)
I have an idea of what happened. I might be wrong but it does make sense at least lol
As you remember Windows didn't see the device and didn't even see it connected on the ide channels. Yet it did show in the bios. So Windows basically was saying the bios wasn't reporting anything on that channel.
It is possible that the setting in the bios where corrupt or not set right. When you went in and change the boot order and saved the settings the settings got saved again as they should be. There is software that can change settings in the bios, Windows can control irq settings and so on and you can update firmware from Windows, so it is possible that the WD software or Windows changed something and the bios settings simply got messed up and didn't report the drive as being connected. Soon as you saved the settings again it got overwritten and was proper again.
Now this is just an idea of how and why. It makes sense given the info we seen, that virtual drives showed up and the ide channel reported nothing connected, and that the ONLY thin you did was chnage boot order and save the settings. :wink:
Shane
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Now this is just an idea of how and why. It makes sense given the info we seen, that virtual drives showed up and the ide channel reported nothing connected, and that the ONLY thin[g] you did was chnage boot order and save the settings.
OK, this makes some sense. I had done this (BIOS boot order change) once prior, which could account for when the drive returned the previous time. But I cannot correlate the action and effect in my notes.
I'm wondering what, if anything, should be done with both "ATA Channel 1" controllers that do not have any devices connected. Should they be left alone or "uninstalled"? Any other clean up items you suggest, e.g. unistalling the Virtual Clone drive?
Also, (unrelated to the CD ROM) Device Manager shows 29 "Generic Volume Shadow Copy" items under "Storage Volume Shadow Copies" when "hidden devices" are displayed. Should there be so many and is there any impact in having that many?
TNX for working with me on this, its been an incredible help. Hopefully all this will be useful for Windows Repair AIO and/or the "tips" that go with it.
Nelson
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I'm wondering what, if anything, should be done with both "ATA Channel 1" controllers that do not have any devices connected. Should they be left alone or "uninstalled"? Any other clean up items you suggest, e.g. unistalling the Virtual Clone drive?
Leave the ata channels, and if you dont need virtual clone drive go ahead and uninstall it :-)
Also, (unrelated to the CD ROM) Device Manager shows 29 "Generic Volume Shadow Copy" items under "Storage Volume Shadow Copies" when "hidden devices" are displayed. Should there be so many and is there any impact in having that many?
Those are made when the VSS makes a volume snap shot, you can remove them and they dont hurt anything being there as well.
If your drive disappears again go change the boot order and save the settings again and see if it comes back. If it keeps happening then you either have software doing it or it is a bug in the bios, which checking for a bios update isnt a bad idea :-)
Shane
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Well the CD-ROM has disappeared once again. I reordered the BIOS boot sequence as I had done before, but it didn't work. The notebook would not boot from the same Original Sys Recovery Disk I used before. I'm so #$%^&* frustrated with this - I'm giving up (and the wife is grateful that I am). I've looked at some of the HP forums and this problem seems to abound on HP products and others. One guy has gone as far as "baking" mother boards to reflow the solder (suspicion being the GPU is involved).
I'm just going to buy an external USB CD/DVD/Blu-Ray RW drive and be done with it. Any recommendations on manufacturers that will support CDs, DVD DL (8.5G) and BD (25G)?
TNX, Nelson
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Maybe it is just the drive going bad, or its the motherboard, hard to tell without throwing in another drive.
I get all my parts on newegg.com so just look there and buy one based off of feedback.
I cant remember at this point if your computer is a tower or laptop, but if it is a tower this is the dvd drive I use in the new systems I build, it is a sata drive and it is only $20. So it wouldnt hurt to try it when you also get your external :-)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
Shane