I have a code 39 problem. My compaq laptop (vista basic) has suddenly lost its cd/dvd drive. It worked last week but when I got back from holiday today the drive vanished (computer just shows the main drive and the recovery drive) Tried to update the driver and get the message it uses the most up to date driver available- this is despite the earlier code 39 message that the driver is missing! Spent the afternoon reloading the recovery discs and for an hour or so the drive was back and fully operational (it was used to successfully reload printer and broadband software so it worked!. But now a few hours later it has gone away again and I have exactly the same situation prior to loading the recovery discs! The computer is only a couple of months old so I could return it to Currys but probably easier just to go out and buy an external device. But I would appreciate your thoughts whether the problem is the OS or the internal CD/DVD device- Many thanks in anticipation.

Optical drives don't need any extra drivers.

One of these may help:
1. Uninstall the drive through Device Manager.
Restart computer. The drive will be automatically reinstalled.
or...
2. Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or is not recognized by Windows or other programs
Restart computer.
or...
3. Download, and run Restore Missing CD Drive patch
Double click on cdgone.zip to unzip it.
Right click on cdgone.reg, click Merge.
Accept registry merge.
Restart computer.
or...
4. Go to Device Manager, click a "+" sign next to IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers.
You'll see two items:
- ATA Channel0 (or Primary Channel)
- ATA Channel1 (or Secondary Channel)
Right click on each of them, and click Uninstall. Confirm.
Restart Windows. They'll be automatically reinstalled.

BTW, I'd be suspicious. No problems like this one should be happening to 2 months old machine.

Originally Posted by PJ1122

Spent the afternoon reloading the recovery discs and for an hour or so the drive was back and fully operational...

Now if you mean that you did a complete reinstall of windows and you still had the problem that would be an indication of hardware problems so I would take the computer back because the problem could be beyond the drive itself; it could also be the motherboard and already having that kind problem could mean that your computer is bad and it could get even worse later. If you didn't do a complete reinstall then you should start by following broni's advice. I don't have the need or desire to repeat it.

Good point

Hi Guys
Many thanks for the quick response. I am pleased to advise that I completed the action recommended in item 2 and contacted microsoft support and bingo the drive has reappeared. Considering I undertook a complete recovery session to make it appear and then disappear again I am bit wary that this solution will indeed be permanent. I tend to agree with you guys that something is amiss with this Compaq laptop. I will see how it goes but I am seriously considering purchasing a desktop computer and returning to windows XP; I seemed to enjoy a better computer experience with that combination! But thanks again and confirm I have made a donation. Cheers

I'm glad, it worked.
Keep us posted.

ISSUE RESOLVED!

Thank you and I'm glad you have obtained the results you had requested. MS Support is the best way to go unless it is a problem that the D-A-L community can fixed. However, I noticed a minor issue that might cause you some harm to your drive so I would recommend to get a new DVD drive or at least use Microsoft Fix-It to ensure that the drive will no longer be faulty.

If you have any other problems, please reply to this thread immediately.