Laptop lost CD/DVD Rom driver

[Darkwing_Duck]

Just did my daily Windows update, and was going to watch one of my DVDs on my laptop when the drive wouldn`t open. then I looked in "My computer" and my DVD ROM drive isn`t even on the list. O.o
So then I went into my bIOS, yep! it is listed there. so I`m guessing the last Windows updated whipped out my driver. Now here`s the sad part. my laptop`s manufacturer doesn`t offer drivers for Windows 7.. WTH?
Anyone have any suggestions? should I take the computer into a shop to get it fixed? or is there a safe/secure place to download the drivers I`m unaware of? XD


if this isn`t in the right thread plz move it

[GlindorOcculus]

I remember this use to happen occasionally to my old Windows XP desktop. I never really solved the problem. Eventually after some restarts it was there again then in a couple months it would disappear. Made absolutely no sense.
Wish I could help but I have no clue how to fix it =(

[Dhalin]

Just did my daily Windows update, and was going to watch one of my DVDs on my laptop when the drive wouldn`t open. then I looked in "My computer" and my DVD ROM drive isn`t even on the list. O.o
So then I went into my bIOS, yep! it is listed there. so I`m guessing the last Windows updated whipped out my driver. Now here`s the sad part. my laptop`s manufacturer doesn`t offer drivers for Windows 7.. WTH?
Anyone have any suggestions? should I take the computer into a shop to get it fixed? or is there a safe/secure place to download the drivers I`m unaware of? XD


if this isn`t in the right thread plz move it

Most DVD-Rom drives are standard, don't need to download any drivers, especially with Windows7.

How old is this laptop? Did it come with Windows7 pre-installed, or did it once have WinXP on it?

This could also be a hardware failure, especially if the computer is older. Driver files are definitely not the issue, Windows7 should have those built-in to the OS, especially for something that is usually standard like a removable disc drive.

Either your drive is going bad, or you've got a software problem. Did you try using the restore point that was created just before the Win7 update?

[Fratricide]

Dhalin, you know most people don't know what a restore point is, nor do they know how to utilize it. Some people don't even have it turned on, don't know who would do something like that, but they turn it off for some reason anyhow.

If it was my laptop, I would remove and reinstall the drive, because you might have lost some connection in there at some point, especially with an older drive. But, you might just have to eventually break down and replace the drive altogether. If your laptop was built in the last 12 years, you should have an USB port on the thing, just go buy an external USB CD drive. I don't like seeing people spend money on things they don't necessarily need, but usually for <$50 you can get rid of your pain, to me it'd be worth it.

[Akrion]

Dhalin, you know most people don't know what a restore point is, nor do they know how to utilize it. Some people don't even have it turned on, don't know who would do something like that, but they turn it off for some reason anyhow.

So if they don't know they'll say so and someone can explain to them how to use it, or heck, even simply google how to use it. :P And if they know how to disable it they'll know how to use it (even though if disabled currently it wouldn't be very useful, which considering there isn't much reason to disable System Restore on 7 it would just of been fairly pointless to disable it in the first place). I wouldn't say that 'most' people don't know what it is or how to use it either.

If it was my laptop, I would remove and reinstall the drive, because you might have lost some connection in there at some point, especially with an older drive. But, you might just have to eventually break down and replace the drive altogether. If your laptop was built in the last 12 years, you should have an USB port on the thing, just go buy an external USB CD drive. I don't like seeing people spend money on things they don't necessarily need, but usually for <$50 you can get rid of your pain, to me it'd be worth it.

Didn't you just make a point to Dhalin about 'most' people not even knowing how to use System Restore, and now you're talking about removing, installing, and potentially replacing hardware on a laptop? >.>


Reagle, I'd say try what Dhalin suggested first. He is right about the drivers. Unless you had some very strangely unique disk drive that required strangely unique drivers it's unlikely to be the cause of the drive's failure.

[Dhalin]

Well, the USB external drive is a good idea -- it would work on virtually _any_ computer, laptop or not.

But I'd only do that after exploring options like Restore Points and/or maybe finding a friend who knows more about computers if the OP doesn't have the tech knowledge required to attempt to diagnose an OS software problem.

[Fratricide]

look.. you don't need to troll all over my post... The biggest thing is perhaps you don't realize that some folks are more comfortable with Hardware then Software. That is why I separated the two paragraphs instead of throwing it all in one lump sum of a statement.

Personally, I find it easier to work with the hardware then with the software, though, I am capable of doing both. I suggested the external drive because they are fairly fool proof, and will most likely work with any system out there.

Anyhow... take from it what you will, as I don't know the expertise level of the OP.