Missing DVD-RW Bug in Windows Vista

THIS WORKS!!!

I have the exact same issue.

I could not install Vista from dvd but could select clean install of Vista when run as upgrade from XP Pro sp2.

Having then lost the dvd immediatelt on first boot of Vista I have despaired.

On trying to sleep the pc and waking up the dvd detects and installs!

I am a MCSE and will be using a special support call with Microsoft to chase a fix for this problem. I’ll keep posted.

Thank you so much for posting this. I have been having this problem sporadically for the last 3 weeks. I hope they fix it soon. Thanks again,
Micah

Same here – DVD (BENQ DW1640) drive just disappears when trying to burn files to it…

Hi

I have the same problem unfortunately your fix didn’t work for me but I have noticed one thing though; lots of people have been posting this problem very recently I wonder if it was an update error.

One rumor I did hear was that MS were trying to cut down on the compatible list ready for DCHP (I think its called but is the video thing)

I have gone back to using XP (dual boot) until service pack 1 comes out. Although I will miss the moving waterfall as a backdrop it was cool but made me want the toilet a lot lol.

I have a benq DW1655

I have tried the registry fixes but I don’t have an upper and lower entry; like people mention.

Oh well

Just wanted to say this is a good site and its nice to know people are working together.

Kind regards

Try this solution:

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

Click on the start menu.
If this is a Vista machine in the search box type in “regedit” without the quotation marks.
Maximize the HKLM and then go ahead and browse until you reach the key listed above.
In the right panel you’ll see something along the lines of “UpperFilter” and “LowerFilter” you want to click on each “filter” key and hit delete. Click yes when it asks to confirm if you wish to delete the key.
Restart Windows.

hi guys..i’ve exactly the same problem.. but more complicated one..i’ve not been able to reboot my laptop again..
i’ve changed the boot preferences to dvd rom but instead of going for a boot from the dvd it goes for the hard disk..
please help me out guys..

the first post for this problem was at the beginning of the year and I just noticed that I have the same problem. I am not sure if MS really awares of the issue?

Problem resolved. I just downgraded the os from vista to xp. Everything works great now!!!

Most Funniest Ever Fix with Vista…I am a hardware and network engineer n with my new vista laptop i was experiencing this trouble had to restart if this happened ….now just sleep and wakeup….he he

Lots of Thanks yaaarr….

Hey folks I am computer technician, I got 3 machines with the same problem and a could sort it out using the same procedure mentioned by Alfred above.
Good luck for everyone

hey guys. please somebody tell me exactely which update makes this problem.

i had exactly the same problem. I tried all the possible solutions that were available:

1) Regedit and delete upper and lower case (I only found lower case, deleted it but didn\’t work)
2) Delete cd/dvd drive from device manager and reinstall (As Jason the dvd drive did\’t appear on the device manager at all)
3) Go to storage controllers and delete gigabyte something and the dvd should work (I didn\’t find the gigabyte thing in storage controller)
4) Delete the IDA/IDE controllers and restart (That didn\’t work either)
5) I deleted all cd related programs that i downloaded during the five months when i had the laptop (Daemon, MagicIso, and a couple of cd burning programs) – still no luck

Finally I called Toshiba and the told me that what happenned with me is a very common problem that is happenning to a lot of other people they told me first to delete the upper and lower cases in the REGedit through going to support.microsoft.com and typing 929461 in the search bar. I of course tried that long time ago in it didn\’t work. So they told me that the only solution is to back up the pc and run the recovery cd and this should solve the problem . But i have read that some people did that already and the problem is still persistent. I am a bit worried about going to the hell of recovery with no avail at the end. I hate microsoft

This problem just hit me.

I bought a new Gateway desktop with Vista Home Premium already on it.

I did a ms update and my DVD RW stopped working. I can still play CD’s but none of my DVD’s will read.

device manager shows the drive. Tried uninstall/install.

edited the registry (only had the lowerfilter). Did not work.

Was working great, until I installed the updates.

Tried to backtrack with the restore program but no luck there.

I have the same exact problem, I have noticed that I need to unplug the data cable to the DVD-RW drive (NEC 3520A) and plug it back in.

Very annoying and am very surprised this has not been fixed considering so many people have this problem.

I’ve got the same problem… it appeared when i installed itunes. tried nearly everthing and no luck. uninstalled itunes and voilà, DVD back. but i can’t afford having to choose between DVD or itunes.
any suggestiones?

Jason,
THANK YOU!! I have had this unbelievable bug this week. First I did the rapid fix on the Microsoft site (I believe this automatically does the registry editing that I’ve seen posted here and elsewhere) and it worked. Then it happened again and I happened upon your ’sleep’ solution. UNBELIEVABLE!! that this bug should be present.

In my case, both times it was initiated by the same program. A Windows based game of recent vintage called Settlers. I guess it’s DVD intensive, but both times the problem happened I was starting this game which requires a disc in the drive. I’m not sure why the problem occurs. I’ve run the game under Vista before (game is Vista ‘compatible’) with NO problems. It may be due to a recent Settlers’ patch or one of the many Vista updates that have installed on my computer. I’m going to do a re-install of the basic program to find out. In any case, thanks so much for an easy solution!

Rob

Wow..tried the regedit trick as well – no avail. This worked. I am shocked. Way to go.

i have found a solution to this disappearing drive problem, simply navigate to this registry key; HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11­CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} and delete the upper and/or lower filters keys, and restart.
[solution by http://www.randomfix.com

The regedit key worked for most of my computers; however, it does render itunes useless, and any cd/dvd burning software useless as well. I hope a patch is developed soon.

I had an Acer 5620 laptop with the same problem. The above didn’t work but I found the intel pci i/o driver re-installed then everything worked again. For the record I like MS!

@Foshiznay: have you downloaded and installed SP1?

God Bless You, Jason. You have saved what little hair I have left.

This is crazy, but after all this time I can’t imagine why MS hasn’t published a fix for this issue. Oh, well, I guess I should be just grateful I came across your solution.

One again, many thanks.

I’m running Windows7 Beta 32bit and my DVD-RW drive only disappears
when I’m trying to burn something. Whatever program I’m using to burn
including Windows Movie Maker doesn’t realize it and keeps trying
to burn, with no progress. Drive disappears completely from the
computer until I force a Reboot, then it’s back and works fine until
I try to burn something again…

hi all
same problem here
but my dvd drive apears every so often,then dissapears
dam nasty of ms not sorting this thing out by now
but to charge someone to speek to is just shitty
its there problematic system so they should be bending over backwards to sort it out

This is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Over two years and this bug still exists?

Pathetic.

That’s it, I’m going to Ubuntu.

Dissapearing random drive here too, not found in device manager or disk management. iTunes is installed and I have latest updates with Vista Ultimate.
Sleep then back on does not resolve issue.
The only way to fix it is a reboot until the drive feels like hiding again >_<

Thomas, thanks for sharing, but it didn’t work on my HP Presario V3700 with Vista Home Edition laptop. I have upgraded to the latest Intel Matrix Storage 8.9. but still my dvd drive is missing.

Hey Guys,

I’ve had this problem too. Has anyone done a virus scan?? I got win32:swizzor – dvd dumb was in the file name.

I’m using Vista home premium – avast anti-virus free edition.

I’ll post again once scan has finished.