Vista - How to fix missing CD-ROM/ DVD DRIVE

June 2014
When the Windows Vista OS is updated or a program is installed or uninstalled, the CD/ DVD drive may not be seen in
My Computer. The problem of the missing CD-ROM/ DVD drive in Windows Vista can be fixed. Firstly, through the method
of System Restore, the system can be restored to the date when the changes were made that created the missing drive.
Secondly, the drivers can be removed and then reinstalled. This problem can happen due to corrupt registry entries
and hence fixing them can also solve this problem.

Vista - How to fix missing CD-ROM/ DVD DRIVE

Issue
Solutions
System Restore
Remove and reinstall drivers
Registry

Issue
Your CD/DVD drive isn't appearing on "Computer", this sometimes happens when you have just installed or
uninstalled a program. It may also be because you updated Windows Vista.

Solutions
System Restore
To roll back these changes you can try restoring the system. To do this:

Click the Start or Vista icon then type "System Restore" in the "Start Search" field
Press Enter then click Open to give permission to open System Restore

On "Recommended Restore" select a Restore point

Click on "Next" to proceed
Click on "Finish"
This will restore your system to a previous date, before the changes were made
Restart the computer and check you can see your drive

Remove and reinstall drivers

You can also try to remove and to reinstall the drive's drivers:
Right click on "Computer" from the Start menu
Select "Properties"
On the Task options on your left, click on "Device Manager"
Expand "DVD/CD-Rom drives"
Right click on it, click "Uninstall"
Then press "OK" to confirm
Restart the computer, which will automatically install the drivers

Registry
Sometimes this is due to some corrupted registry entries, which can be fixed easily. Try this:

Click the Start or Vista icon then type "regedit" in the "Start Search" field
Press Enter
Press "Continue"

Search this:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
On your right look for "Lower filters" and click on it
In the top left, right click on "Edit" and delete
Do same for "Upper filters" and close the window
Restart the computer
Your drivers will be automatically installed
This document entitled Vista - How to fix missing CD-ROM/ DVD DRIVE from Kioskea (en.kioskea.net) is made available under the Creative
Commons license. You can copy, modify copies of this page, under the conditions stipulated by the license, as this note appears clearly.