Removing an installed device from the computer?

After having created my own systems over the years (XP, Win7 & Win10 for instance) it seems that I have forgotten how to achieve this removal. The device shows up in "MY COMPUTER" but not in 'Devices & Printers', 'Device Manager', 'Disk Management' nor 'BIOS' for example. An attempt to utilize this device (a CD drive) to burn a disk with Windows Media Player indicates the output CD to be drive 'I' and of course this fails as CD 'I' does not actually exist. I have been attempting to rectify this problem to no avail so far. Also removed the DVD drive 'K' simply by unplugging the electrical plug and it quickly disappeared from 'MY COMPUTER'. The CD drive continues to show despite my having actually removed it from within the case. The computer now has two HDs and a DVD unit. I utilized the CD many times over the years and to have it suddenly be unavailable is a mystery to me. Any assistance would be appreciated. Screen prints can be made available if necessary. THANX!!

It's possibly a driver issue rather than a physical removal.
Before trying anything you can try to see if it's hidden before all, Open Device Manager, Click "View" > "Show hidden devices."
If it still doesn't show up then try to update the drivers,
-right-click on any device under "Disk Drives" and select "Update driver software."
-Choose "Browse my computer for driver software."
-Click "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer."
-Select the driver for your CD drive (it might be generic) and click "Next." Restart your computer.

Hope this will solve your problem

[QUOTE=Frantheman777;3530211]It's possibly a driver issue rather than a physical removal.
Before trying anything you can try to see if it's hidden before all, Open Device Manager, Click "View" > "Show hidden devices."
If it still doesn't show up then try to update the drivers,
-right-click on any device under "Disk Drives" and select "Update driver software."
-Choose "Browse my computer for driver software."
-Click "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer."
-Select the driver for your CD drive (it might be generic) and click "Next." Restart your computer.

Hope this will solve your problem

- - - Updated - - -

Unfortunately these steps did not solve the issue. I still have as CD(I) and a DVD (K) showing in "MY COMPUTER". Still, the unplugging of the DVD from an electrical source will result in the DVD disappearing from "MY COMPUTER" whereas the total removal of the CD does absolutely nothing. This CD is as a song goes 'Somewhere out there' and until this issue is solved will remain between a rock and a hard place!!! A temporary solution is to purchase an external CD drive so I can get a CD for my spouse burned. Am today replacing the original CD drive back into the case and hopefully one fine day we will get the solution. Attempts at trying other CD drives proved no different. The answer will one fine day arrive!!! THANX for your assistance.

You can use the DVD ODD as all the DVD ODD I've seen also can handle a CD.

Megahertz07 said:

You can use the DVD ODD as all the DVD ODD I've seen also can handle a CD.

This does not solve the original issue with a disappearing CD drive! I have an external DVD unit which I can easily switch between my two current systems. Still leaves my Windows 7 with a CD drive in limbo somewhere!!

aBoppa said:

A temporary solution is to purchase an external CD drive so I can get a CD for my spouse burned.

You don't need to buy a CD ODD if you have a DVD ODD.
You can use your DVD drive to burn a CD.

Let's see what windows is seeing.
Open a CMD window as administrator and type:
diskpart
list vol
Exit

Paste the results here

The issue has been bypassed as the only way to have this problem disappear (like the CD did) - by purchasing a CD/DVD and attaching it to my Windows 10 via a USB 3.0 cable. Now I will burn any CDs with that system and forget the Windows 7 problem as that system isn't long for this world anyway!!!