Windows 7 won’t read contents of external DVD drive

Some external drives do not draw enough power from the motherboard to make them work without one of those USB cables you plug into two USBs on your computer and the other side into your drive. It may be this.

Has the same drive worked on this computer with another operating system installed. If not this may be it. You can get these cables at most electronics stores.

If the drive HAS worked on the computer with another operating system.....it will be something else.

Please try other USB ports if you have not tried that already.

Not always. They will do strange things if they are not getting enough power.

It's something to try if you have tried everything else....the cables don't cost much and they're good to have around.

Also...make sure the contents are not hidden. Go to "folder options" and make sure you check "show files and hidden folders" in view tab

After deleting the filters did you restart? Did you use the fix or follow the path in the registry to manually delete them? Did you backup the registry?
Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or is not recognized by Windows or other programs

Have you checked for a firmware update?

Download the Intel matrix storage manager if you havent installed it - select OS and your driver page appears :

Select your operating system HP TouchSmart IQ524 Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (Australia - English)»

OR go below to download :

You need to download and install the latest intel matrix storage manager software/driver if AHCI is enabled in your bios (more than likely as the matrix driver is on your driver page), and what happens during installation of W7 is W7 installs the Intel driver, but for correct functionality you need to install the intel matrix storage manager after installation is complete if you dont it will cause the problem you are having with your DVD DRIVE.

You will find it at the intel site - http://downloadcenter.intel.com/default.aspx
Select chipsets - chipset software - intel(R) matrix storage manager - Select Operating System - select Windows 7 (64bit OR 32 bit) - select drivers - select intel(R) matrix storage manager 8.9.0.1023 - download and install.
(make sure you don't download the floppy configuration utility by mistake) - it will show up if you select utilities.