This document pertains to HP and Compaq Desktop PCs using Windows Vista.
You cannot burn CDs or DVDs.
| NOTE: | This document requires that the drive is capable of reading discs and that your disc burning software can detect the drive. If your disc burning software displays "No drive detected" (or similar), or the drive does not appear in Windows, or you cannot play CDs/DVDs, then this document will not solve the problem. Instead, please read
CD/DVD Drive is not Detected (Windows Vista)
. |
Step 1: Using different media
Burn a disc using a different brand and type of disc. The disc must be compatible with the drive, that is, you cannot burn a DVD-R disc in a drive that does not support DVD-R technology. For testing purposes, a few different brands of CD-R works best as CD-R is supported by all drives.
Why try another disc? There are many different brands and types of writable discs with unique burning properties. The drive adjusts its laser and disc rotation speed to accommodate for the properties of the disc being burnt. Because of this, finding the right disc type that works best for your drive can be very important.
If the drive cannot burn discs with other media, continue to the next step.
Step 2: Decreasing the disc burning speed
Decrease the burning speed in the disc burning software. When burn speed is reduced it takes longer to complete the disc, but the burn can be more reliable. For example, if you use Roxio Creator to burn discs, you can decrease the disc burning speed by selecting lower speed setting in Advanced Options.
If the drive cannot burn discs when using a lower speed, continue to the next step.
Figure 1: Speed settings in Roxio Creator
Step 3: Removing the drive from Device Manager
Follow these steps to remove the drive from Device Manager:
Click
Start 
, and type
device manager
into the Start Search field.
Click Device Manager
from the search results.
Device Manager opens.
Figure 2: Device Manager
Click the plus sign (+
) next to DVD/CD-ROM drives
category.
Figure 3: DVD/CD-ROM drives category
Right-click the drive and then click
Uninstall
.
Figure 4: Device Manager: Uninstall
Click OK
to remove the CD listing. Do not restart the computer and do not refresh the hardware list.
Close Device Manager
.
You must complete the next step before attempting to burn another disc.
Step 4: Clearing the registry filters
To clear the upper and lower registry filters, use the following steps:
Click the following Microsoft Fix it Solution to clean the registry filters automatically:
If you cannot use the Microsoft Fix it Solution, continue using these steps to clear the upper and lower registry filters manually.
Click
Start
, and type
regedit
into the Start Search field.
Click regedit
from the search results.
If you are prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
The Registry Editor opens.
Figure 5: Registry Editor
Click File
, Export
, type a file name that is easy to remember, and click Save
.
A copy of the registry has been saved for back-up purposes. If the registry is accidentally damaged or more problems occur after completing the rest of these steps, you can double-click this back-up file to restore the registry.
Click the plus sign (+
) next to the following items in the listed order:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
- SYSTEM
- CurrentControlSet (or the current control set with lowest number if that is all that is listed)
- Control
- Class
Select 4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318
.
Figure 6: Delete filter
Right-click UpperFilter
in the right window, and then select Delete
.
Confirm the deletion by clicking Yes
.
Select LowerFilters
in the right window and press the Delete
key.
Confirm the deletion by clicking Yes
.
Close the registry editor, restart the computer, and wait until Windows configures the necessary drivers for new hardware.
Do not perform this step if you do not know how to reinstall your CD writing software. Remove all CD writing software (Roxio Creator, Cyberlink Power2Go, etc...) using Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel. For more help, you can read
Uninstalling Software in Windows Vista
.
Try creating a disc again. If you still cannot create a disc that can be read in another drive, continue with the next Step.
Step 5: Using System Restore
If the computer still cannot write to the disc, use System Restore to go back to a time when the drive was recognized by Windows. If you do not know how to restore Windows, use the Support document
Using Microsoft System Restore in Windows Vista
.
When done, use the CD or DVD drive again to see if it works. If it works, you are done. If it does not, continue with step 8.
Step 6: Using HP Hardware Diagnostics Tools to test the drive
The laser alignment and the hardware that supports it must retain a high degree of accuracy. As the writable disc drive in your computer ages it is affected by vibration, dust, mechanical wear and other factors. Open Hardware Diagnostic Tools to gather more information and respond to the messages.
| NOTE: | If you have changed the operating system on the computer, HP Hardware Diagnostics might not be available. If so, skip this step and continue troubleshooting. |
Click
Start
,
All Programs
,
PC Help & Tools
, and then click
Hardware Diagnostic Tools
.
If a message displays, click OK
to open Hardware Diagnostic Tools.
Hardware Diagnostic Tools opens.
Figure 7: Hardware Diagnostic Tools
Click Storage
, and then run the CD/DVD-ROM test from the list of tests. What happens?
Step 7: Using HP System Recovery
When done, use the CD or DVD drive again to see if it can burn a disc. If the drive is still unable to burn a disc, replace the drive.
