How to Fix a Missing DVD Drive in Windows XP

A missing CD or DVD drive can be restored from within the registry.

Occasionally, the DVD drive may be disabled or missing on a Windows XP machine. This is often due to a conflict with third party disk-burning programs or an update to the Windows burning component itself. In most cases, this problem can be corrected from within the Windows XP registry editor.

Instructions

1. Click on "Start," then on "Run."

2. Type "Regedit" without the quotes.

3. Press the "Enter" key.

4. Navigate to the following location in the registry.

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

5. Right-click on "UpperFilters," and select "Delete." Click the "Yes" button.

6. Right-click on "LowerFilters," and then click "Delete." Click the "Yes" button.

7. Close the registry editor and restart Windows XP.

References

• TheElderGeek: Restore Missing CD or DVD Drive
• DriverGuide: Troubleshoot CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and DVD Discs
• Microsoft: The CD Drive or the DVD Drive Does not Work as Expected on a Computer that you Upgraded to Windows Vista
• Microsoft TechNet: CD/DVD Drive Missing