It means the firmware installation package can't find (can't see) a compatible DVD drive to install the firmware to.
A few more things to do before pronouncing the drive dead:
#1 - If you know that the problem started after you installed something (Firefox you said?) then the first thing you should (always) try is to perform a System Restore to a date before the change. Test.
#2 - If you ran the Microsoft Fixit jumanji linked above then that would have corrected any upperfilters registry change (a common cause).
Another Microsoft fix to try:
Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or is not recognized by Windows or other programs
And:
http://support.microsoft.com/mats/ha...problems/en-us
#3 - Go to Control Panel > Devices & Printers > Device Manager
- Find the DVD/CD-ROM Drives > Expand it
- Go to the Drivers Tab > click "Update Drivers" (this will probably do nothing - that's OK), then
- Right click on your drive > and choose: "Uninstall".
- Restart the computer and test. (Windows will re-install the driver on startup).
#4 - If you want to
really test it, then do exactly as above (uninstall the drive), then
- Instead of restarting, shut down, remove the power adapter and laptop battery.
- Press the power button for 15 to 20 seconds.
- Remove the DVD drive from the laptop (find and read the Service Manual for your laptop for a step by step)
- Now reconnect the battery and power adapter and start up (leave the DVD drive out)
- Check Device Manager that there is no drive (there won't be) or any other problem device, then shut down again.
- Remove the power again, replace the DVD drive, then start up and test.
But if none of the above will work, and the firmware for the drive can not find or recognize the drive, then that indicates that the drive has failed, most likely on the controller board. This is something that could be repaired in theory, but is not practical. It would be best to get a replacement drive.