DVD drive not reading disks or mounted iso files -SOLVED!

DVD CD or Mounted Iso files not read in Windows

I just spent almost 4 hours because my Windows 7 64 bit PC would no longer read DVDs, CDs, or even mounted iso image files with utilities such as Virtual CloneDrive. This drove me nuts, there was SO much information but NONE of it would help me. The trick about editing the registry to remove upper and lower filters for the DVD drive helped, I deleted the lower filter, did not have an upper filter, and rebooted. I got my CD to read ONCE and that was it.

One thread I found suggested testing the CD in Safe Mode. I did this and behold, the DVD drive works perfectly. So the problem with the DVD not reading disks or mounted images is in one or more startup files. I opened the Run box and typed in "msconfig" (no quotes) and had 29 startup items. I disabled ALL of them and enabled them 10 at a time, rebooted and checked the DVD. After getting down to the last 3 items, I did this one item at a time, disabled it, rebooted, and tested. The offending program was MotoCast for Motorola Cellphones. I now use a custom operating system (rom - CyanogenMod ROM #11) and no longer rely on or use Verizon or Motorola software except the Windows Drivers for Motorola. Once I uninstalled MotoCast and removed the startup link with Autoruns (Or you can use HiJackThis) and rebooted, the problem was solved.

I can now read any DVD, CD, or mounted image file. I am posting this to help others because I spent over 4 hours at this and not ONE post explained it directly. So I hope this post makes it's way to Google and can help some other poor sob to get his rig fixed without giving up or pulling out all of his hair. I am a longtime member of sevenforums so for me, this is the place to post this information. Thanks for letting me post this here!

~Ohmster - You can find me at XDA Developers

That is good info. Thanks!