Windows 7 - dvd drive disappeared!

**Dayquil** · 03-08-2010

Not quite sure what happened, but the other day, i turned off my computer for whatever reason, i dont remember, and when i turned it back on, my dvd-drive is "missing"!

its a fairly old, pioneer a09xlc dvd-rw drive, and its getting power, but something with the sata cable, im assuming, is the problem. its not showing up anywhere on the computer nor is it in BIOS.

i have tried looking for drivers, but cant find anything and the ones ive tried, wont work because the drive "isnt there".

please, any help would be greatly appreciated

/EDIT
also, since i forgot, its an IDE drive, but i have an IDE - sata converter on it that hasnt been moved or changed recently

**whest** · 03-08-2010

Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or is not recognized by Windows or other programs

**Dragonfly** · 03-08-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Dayquil

also, since i forgot, its an IDE drive, but i have an IDE - sata converter on it that hasnt been moved or changed recently

Bad connection at one end of the SATA cable, I'm guessing. Any reason why you wouldn't just connect it as an IDE drive? I suspect your problem would be gone if you did.

**Dayquil** · 03-08-2010

whest - i tried a bunch of those and nothing worked. keeps saying no optical drive is connected, make sure its plugged in etc etc

dragonfly - i dont have an IDE port on my mobo, but im going to check again bc ive been known to miss stupid little things like that before

**Dayquil** · 03-08-2010

well its not the sata cable. i tried a different cable, i switched out a hd sata for the dvd drive cable, tried different sata ports, still BIOS says no-no to the dvd-drive

the only solution i can come up with, that makes the most sense, is that the IDE - SATA converter decided to crap out on me. if anyone can think of a different solution, im all ears

**Dragonfly** · 03-08-2010

Could be a dead drive, too. You said it was fairly old. I've got a stack of about five optical drives that have died on me over the years. The don't last forever.

I'd suggest spending $25 (including shipping) and buying a new SATA drive.

**Dayquil** · 03-08-2010

yeah, thats what its lookin like the only option is. i appreciate the help though

**whest** · 03-08-2010

Id try it on a mates computer or go with the sata converter being at fault, and try again, depends on affordability to I guess, and doesnt sound as though you would like the idea of not being 100% sure.
Download your manual and see if it has an ide port it should have

**whest** · 03-08-2010

DP45SG Product Documentation & Manuals