[robarb]

Alright, I have an hp pavilion zv5000 laptop (I know, I know.. but I didn't buy it), and suddenly xp decides to not recognize my dvdrw drive. Nothing shows up in my computer, I don't see it in my hardware manager, and the damn thing wont even open unless I use a paperclip on that small release switch. I didn't change any hardware of software settings prior to this happening, and I have never really had trouble with the drive. I don't have a whole lot of experience troubleshooting laptops in this regard, but if somebody could help me out, I would dearly appreciate it.

This post has been edited by Kanichton: 15 July 2005 - 10:28 PM

[Thorian]

Have you changed anything software wise
It worked then I added removed this and now it dosent.

Do you have a copy of knoppix to see if it will boot from the cdrom
(this will test with out relying on windows.)

if it dosent either the bus that it plugs into or the dvd drive itself may be bad.

it is a standard dvd rom drive so a replacement can be had cheap on ebay $50 or less. you just have to have the balls to try and replace it your self and hope that it is not the bus. or if it under warrenty take it to a factory scertified repair center and have them mess with it. if worst comes to worst I have a laptop with a generic cd rom that will fit the slot you will just need to remove the trim plate. but im not 100% sure it works I assume so. but you never know it is a older gateway. I pulled it when I got a dvd drive out of a hp laptop that was being junked. (unfortunately I sold that laptop so I couldent send you that drive to test)

[robarb]

Well I am baffled, because it suddenly starting behaving normally again. It is under warranty, so I'll probably take it by there sometime anyways... I was just looking to solve the problem without taking it elsewhere. I appreciate the help though.