Another "CD/DVD device driver is missing" problem

[RyanStotz]

I don't know what happened, but my Compaq 6910p refute (I know...) refused to start all of a sudden. After two days of the Startup Repair loop and trying to solve that problem with every solution I could find in every forum I could find, I gave up and decided to do a clean reinstall.

Unfortunately, somehow in my recent move I lost my install disk and the accompanying product key, so I figured I'd torrent an iso/activator and get on with it (I know...). So I formatted my hard drive (I know...), made a bootable USB with Rufus 2.3, and began the install.

That's when I got the common "CD/DVD device driver" error. So back to the forums (especially this one) I went for answers. Tried them all -- disabling SATA, trying all three of my USB ports, rebooting and retrying a dozen times, etc. -- and nothing worked. So I downloaded another iso and went through the same steps. Nothing. Repeat five more types for a total of seven different isos. Nothing. So I don't think it's the isos, and I checked the USB drive for bad sectors and that came up fine.

I can't download from Microsoft because I no longer have my product key. Nobody I know here has a Windows 7 disk, and I can't even burn a DVD copy. I did manage to check the hard drive before formatting it and it's completely healthy as well. Am I just screwed? I'm on day four on this and am just about to give up and install Linux. And of course this happens while I'm looking for a new job. Thank you for any help.

 

[AddRAM]

Doesn`t the computer have a COA with a key on it ?

 

[RyanStotz]

It does have a COA, but alas, after years of use in a humid climate, parts if it unreadable.

I've made dozens of best guess as to what the illegible characters might be, but so far I've not guessed correctly. Hence my situation.

 

[AddRAM]

Are you serious ? I can easily read that key, remove your picture

The reason people got that error message is because they burn the iso file too fast, burn it at no more then x4 speed.

Free ISO Burner

I use this if I`m making a usb installer, it never fails.

WiNToBootic bootable usb drive windows vista/7/8 - Bootable USB | Bootable USB

How could you possibly loose your disc and key if you packed everything up :banghead:

 

[RyanStotz]

I always assumed those COA stickers were made of more durable stuff. Cunning, MicroSoft.

I didn't see an option in either Rufus or the MS tool they provided, and unfortunately I'm not able to burn a DVD because the laptop that's down is the only one with that capability. So I'm stuck with "burning" to a USB stick for now. May just put some flavor of Linux on it just long enough to burn a DVD and go that route.

 

[AddRAM]

Ya that is/was a problem with laptops, you need to put a piece of scotch tape over the COA to preserve it, that`s why some started putting it in the battery compartment, but who knew.

Most folks never even knew what that sticker was for

Not sure why you get that message when using a usb stick.

Good Luck.