Repair Windows 7 dvd drive not recognised

[Mayfly]

The title probably doesn't sound like the thread belongs here but is about a clean install ultimately.

My Toshiba laptop is decidedly slow and fairly old but does work. After various clean ups, defrags etc thought I would do a clean install however the Windows 7 disc is an upgrade from Vista.

Other than being slow the only other problem I have is the dvd drive is not recognised it won't play dvds but will play cds - yes it is supposed to play both. MS Mr Fixit says there is nothing wrong with it but it doesn't show in the device manager either so I can't boot from it.

So I have a couple of questions.

1. Is it possible to to copy the Windows disc to a usb and if so would it boot from there?
2. Is there any other way to get the dvd working?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes you can download the latest official Win7 ISO installation file for your licensed version and write it to bootable flash stick from steps 1 and 2 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Then if you follow those steps, use only the recommended methods and tools you will get and keep a perfect install for as long as you do.

In your case with Upgrade version, after booting the WIn7 installation media it will see an underlying OS to allow use of Upgrade version key during install, even if you go on to correctly delete all partitions, create and format a new one as shown in Steps 7 and 8 of the actual steps to Clean Install Windows 7.

Only if you wipe the HD or have a new HD will it reject upgrade key in which case you should leave it blank then after install do the quick registry workaround in Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version to activate Upgrade version on a new or wiped HD.