hey, thanks for all the replies & welcome...
Yes, my CD-ROM drive is visible and functional in the GUI, but just not readable from the boot menu. Also, the drivers for it look fine.
[some additional info]:
-The OS I'm using is Windows 7 (this IS SevenForums.com right?
) Ultimate, x86, and previously upgraded (clean-install) from Windows Vista.
-It is a DVD/CD-ROM drive (Slimtype DVD A DS8A1H ATA Device) and the device is apparently "working properly."
-The drivers for the device is seemingly fine, no (!)'s or anything that the OS knows about..
It had occurred to me to go into the BIOS, but whenever I go in there to troubleshoot something, I am not sure what I am looking at/for.
If the solution/progress can be found in the BIOS, could someone layout some instructions on how to go about it?
Thanks again..!
PS: the CD-ROM actually USED to be an option before, and I was able to dual-boot my machine twice before on the upgraded Windows 7. (background info: it was only AFTER the MBR got all messed up from deleting the Linux partition, I had to re-do the Windows installation from a clean slate..the first time solved through using SuperGRUB software and the second time restoring the machine back to Vista, then upgrading to 7..huge pain)
..But of course, this may all be unrelated or irrelevant to my current problem.