Things You'll Need:
- Internet connection.
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Step 1
PC Fixer from digitalsupporttech.com can diagnose CD/DVD drive issuesPC Fixer - http:/www.digitalsupporttech.com/en-us/download.htm - this application fixes 40% of CD/DVD issues or at least used to. You may now have to pay to get a live operator to fix. However the $20 fee is among the most reasonable on the Net.
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Step 2
CDGone.exe is from Microsoft MVP Jim Eshelman's site.CDGONE patch - http://aumha.org/downloads/cdgone.zip - CD drives may often disappear from Windows Explorer/My Computer and Device Manager. This sometimes happens for instance when a third-party CD-burning package like ITunes has been uninstalled and registry references for drive to use the software aren’t removed successfully. Installing this popular patch and then rebooting will often restore the missing drives. Any third party burning or viewing/playing media will then have to be re-installed. This applet probably works by removing the upper and lower filters at the their most common registry locations.
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Step 3
XP CD DVD Fix - http://www.pruittfamily.com/paul/hosted-software/xp_cd_dvd_fix.exe. This software probably works the same way as above, by removing the upper and lower filters in the registry. It may also change a few other registry keys. You may have to reinstall CD/DVD burning applications.
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Step 4
RepairFilter: http://www.digitalsupporttech.com/download/tools/FixCdRomTypeError.exe - this tool deletes the upper and lower filters in their most likely registry location, which is a common solution to fixing CD/DVD drive problems. You may have to reinstall CD/DVD burning applications.
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Step 5
Yet another script for restoring CD/DVD drives in Explorer/My Computer but just for XP machines. It's from the famous Kelly's Korner Registry Edits for Windows XP "Tweaks and Tips" page.
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Step 6
Resetdma.vbs - http://winhlp.com/tools/resetdma.vbs - this little script will set the data transfer settings of all your drives including your CD/DVD drive's IDE channel to DMA. DMA in compared to the older PIO data transfer mode is faster and newer method. This may fix drive issues such as burning and reading difficulties.
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Step 7
CDROM.inf - Install http://www.cd-dvd-troubleshooter.com/hosted-files/windows-xp/cdrom.inf or http://www.cd-dvd-troubleshooter.com/hosted-files/vista/cdrom.inf for Vista at C:\Windows\inf. Write over the file of the same name. Then right click on the file and choose "install". This process reinstalls the drivers for the CD drive.
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Step 8
Microsoft Autoplay Repair Wizard: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c680a7b6-e8fa-45c4-a171-1b389cfacdad&DisplayLang=en - interestingly this repair utility may fix some CD/DVD drive reading and burning issues in addition to Autoplay ones.
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Step 9
CD Recovery Toolbox - http://www.oemailrecovery.com/cd_recovery.html - this freeware app will recover data from corrupt and damaged CDs and DVDs.
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Step 10
Sony Rootkit Uninstaller - http://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/updates.html - SONY rootkits are installed as digital music rights protection on old older Sony music CDs which are still around. If you play one of these disks on your machine, the rootkit app may deploy on your machine. This app sometimes affects CD/DVD drive behavior. The uninstaller fixes that. The app will tell you immediately if it detects the rootkit software.
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Step 11
Repairing the "Send To CD Drive" shortcut in XP - SendToCD_registry_key.reg - http://www.stuartandnicola.com/system/files/SendToCD_registry_key.reg - this registry file contains two keys which will restore the Send To CD Drive on the Explorer right click menu and the Copy to CD options in my Picture Tasks. - from article: http://www.stuartandnicola.com/node/107
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Step 12
Incomplete uninstallation of Nero and Roxio/Sonic software such as Easy CD Creator, can cause CD and DVD drive issues. There are tools for cleaning up these installations. Nero has a special on at: http://www.nero.com/enu/tools-utilities.html. Roxio used to distribut one called roxizap. However there is a more modern method using Windows Installer Cleanup tool and a script found here: http://forums.support.roxio.com/index.php?showtopic=14713.
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Step 13
Fixes from Registry Edits for Windows XP "Tweaks and Tips" Kellys Korner - ** Enable CD AutoPlay for XP Pro - http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/autorunenable.reg. ** Allow CD Burn Options - http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/cdburnallow.reg. ** Add Explore CD-Rom to Start Button (R/C) - http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/explorecdrom.vbs. ** Access Denied - CD Rom, Floppy, Removable - http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/cdfloppy.reg. ** Restore CD/DVD in Explorer - http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/xp_cd_dvd_fix.vbs.
