Computer help forum: CD/DVD Drive does not appear in windows (Detailed Info)

Hello,

I am having serious problems with a DVD-R/CD-RW Drive on my PC. The drive itself does not even appear in windows at all. Not in explorer or in device manager. I have searched high and low on the internet for a solution including checking the computer and drive manufacturers websites, looking for drivers, and using one of the Microsoft Fixit programs for troubleshooting drives that dont work right and/or do not appear. I still havent found a solution.

The computer was originally installed with Windows Vista Home Basic and at that time the drive worked fine. I downgraded to Windows XP due to high system requirements of Windows Vista and the low specifications of the computer and added some hardware from an older XP box I had lying around. Nothing special just a CD-R/RW Drive, a Hard Ddrive, and USB 2.0 PCI card. I had to download some additional drivers for XP to support everything and with the exception of this drive everything works perfectly. However all of the hardware parts I added worked without any additional drivers or updates whatsoever. I also did not have to alter any pre-existing hardware connections to the motherboard in any way.

Im kind of upset because in all my years of using a computer Ive never actually had to ask anyone for any help whatsoever. Im actaully usually the one who gets asked for help. Im no newbie and consider myself somewhat of a power user. What little I cant figure out on my own I just search and study. Funny thing is that Im almost certain its something absurdly simple I should already know about. Because while I can fiddle with all its insides, tweak it to my personal perfection, and even remove the rare but particularly nasty virus manually if needed, I cannot for the life figure out whats wrong with this drive.

Please help.


Here some info related to my PC and the drive itself. I think the last bit may be overkill but anyway, please let me know if you need any more info.


Computer Model: Hewlett Packard Compaq Presario SR5010NX (RZ537AA-ABA)
Operating System: Windows XP SP3 (32 Bit)

Drive Manufacturer: Hitachi-LG Data Storage
Drive Type: DVD Writable/CD-RW Drive
Drive Model: GSA-H20L

Firmware: S853
Hardware: A
Vendor Model: HLGSA-H20L
Product Model: 5188-7536