Computer help forum: My laptop is no longer recognizing my CD Drive

and try the cure.

if that doesn't solve the problem try BOOTING from the CD Drive with a bootable CD - if that doesn't work you will need to locate a replacement drive. They do not last forever and some die in a few short months - yours has lived for two years.

I'm not sure what HDWE means, but the CD Drive does not show up in either My Computer, or Explorer. It does, however, appear in Device Manager with a yellow exclamation point beside it.

Among other codes, try http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cd_dvd_drive_problems
Bob

Often is cured with the fixit by Microsoft.

I wonder if you tried since you didn't tell.
Bob

Usually that fixit by MSFT helps. But sometimes it takes 20 posts for some to get that done so we move from the easy fixes to the hard ones.

To TEST IF THIS DRIVE IS GOOD I boot from any bootable CD. I don't care what bootable CD it is, as the test is simple Does any bootable CD boot up?

If yes, this is a Windows or driver issue.
If no, then the drive is dead or the owner can't do the test.
Bob

Try that question on google. I don't mind but it takes a long time between posts and some things are easy to find an answer on your own.

Example search: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=what+exactly+is+a+bootable+CD%3F