Bad DVD drive?

[road_rascal]

My HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GWA-4080N (whatever that is) drive is no longer recognized by my Gateway laptop (7320GZ). The device manager says the driver is corrupted or missing. Uninstalling and reinstalling the drive didn't help, I can't rollback the driver, and I can't find updates on the web. So, did my drive go bad? What are my next steps? Thanks.

[photo_angel2004]

Sounds like it could be going on you. How long have you had it?

[road_rascal]

Less than a year. The laptop was bought in Feb 2005 and the original DVD drive wasn't burning properly. Gateway sent out a new one (different brand) and it has worked great until now. I just got off with Gateway's online chat support and they told me to do a complete system restore (seems to be the answer for everything). I still have over 1.5 years warranty left with Best Buy, but I wouldn't trust them to fix an abacus.

[photo_angel2004]

If its under warranty more then likely they will repalce it, it generally costs less to replace then fix.

[road_rascal]

I really don't want to do a system restore (which is probably what the techs at Best Buy will suggest) only to have XP not recognize the drive again. I've been down this road before with an older Compaq.

[Chewy]

try this

http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B314060&x=12&y=13

[road_rascal]

Thanks Chewy! It works. Appreciate the help. I wonder what caused it to frak up in the first place? I keep the system pretty clean using CCleaner, defragged, antivirus/spy etc. Hmmmm.

[Chewy]

I wonder what caused it to frak up in the first place?

a game of chinese whispers started by bad drivers installed on your system

google is your friend