dukdukgoose

I’m usually able to troubleshoot my computer problems but I’m having two different issues that have me completely stumped. While they seem to be different problems, there is one very interesting factor that ties them together. I’m using an HP Pavilion dv9500 laptop running Vista x32 with SP1. I keep up to date on Windows updates. About two months ago I began having intermittent problems with my DVD burner (Optiarc AD-7561A). I would occasionally get an I/O error in the middle of burning a disk. Several days later, I found that the drive was completely missing when I booted the computer (missing under My Computer and Device Manager).

About the same time, I started to have occasional problems booting the computer. This problem occurs about 15% of the time when I boot up. The machine freezes shortly after POST and at the beginning of starting Vista. When this happens, I’ve found the only way to successfully boot is to run System Restore and to role back to an earlier restore point. (Usually the latest restore point works, but sometimes I have to go back two or more points.)

Here’s the interesting part. My DVD drive is nearly always present and working after using System Restore. (There have only been one or two times I’ve used System Restore that the drive wasn’t present after. It is never present if I’m able to boot without System Restore.) The drive works properly for awhile before I get another I/O error or have to reboot for some other reason. After rebooting, it is always missing again. In other words, using System Restore seems to be the only way to bring my DVD back. Note that I’m not restoring to the same restore point each time. Since this has been going on for months and I install Windows updates regularly, it’s always a different restore point – usually the most recent one.

I can’t think of any changes I’d made to the machine that might have precipitated these problems. I can’t be certain, though. Besides keeping up to date on Windows updates, I periodically download HPs recommended driver updates and other maintenance suggestions. I do know that I updated my DVD burning software (ImgBurn) to version 2.4.4 about the same time, but I believe that was after I started having problems.

I’ve been focused on solving the DVD problem, so let me give more details there. When the DVD is missing from Device Manager, it doesn’t seem to be a Windows problem because I can’t boot a bootable disk. (I’ve looked to see if the drive is present in my Phoenix BIOS, but my BIOS don’t seem to have a screen that shows which devices are present.) This is what has me stumped – why does System Restore bring it back? I suspected a hardware problem so I purchased an identical model DVD drive (used but certified working). The replacement drive isn’t detected either. This makes me wonder if the connection to the laptop itself is bad. I’ve visually inspected (as well as I can) and don’t see a problem. I’m getting power to the drive (required to open the tray) so I know I have at least some connectivity. Besides that, a bad connection would seem unlikely to be affected by System Restore. It also seems unlikely that I’d lose a good connection simply by rebooting. When the drive isn’t being detected, I’ve tried to give it an extra push to see if I can get it seated to be detected, but this has no impact. I’ve tried uninstalling the ImgBurn software I generally use. I’ve also checked the registry for the Upper/Lower Limit issue. Neither limit is present in the registry. I tried running the Microsoft “Fix It” program anyway. Still no luck.

I’m posting this request in the Hardware forum because that’s the issue I’m trying to resolve, but I’ll also take any help with the System Restore issue. I won’t post in the Vista Support forum as I know duplicate posts aren’t allowed. I've attached a copy of my Belarc Advisor results in case that helps. Thanks in advance!

Attached Files

Belarc Advisor Results.pdf (99.0 KB, 1 views)

dai

try removing the filters

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929461

dukdukgoose

Thanks. I did already try that:

I’ve also checked the registry for the Upper/Lower Limit issue. Neither limit is present in the registry. I tried running the Microsoft “Fix It” program anyway. Still no luck.

dai

try cleaning the contacts on the back of the drive and where it plugs in

dukdukgoose

Thanks for the suggestion. I think this might have actually worked. It took a little ingenuity to be able to clean the contacts inside the laptop. The space between the contacts and the plastic tab is very small -- too small for a regular cotton swab. In case anyone else has a similar challenge, I ended up using an eye glasses lens cleaning tissue. (They come in small packages like a Wet-Nap but with isopropyl alcohol. I know they sell them at Costco.)

Anyway, I cleaned both sets of contacts and the drive was recognized when I rebooted. I'm going to assume the problem is solved rather than rebooting a couple of times and pushing my luck. I'll post again if the problem recurs, but I think we can mark this one as solved.

Thanks, dai and everyone else who contributes to the forum. I really appreciate the help!

dukdukgoose

It appears that I posted my last reply too quickly. After a couple of hours of happy DVD use, my drive quit again. The process was similar to past times. I put in a blank disk, but my burning software showed the drive as being unavailable (tray open). I tried to shut down the software, but couldn't without resorting to Task Manager. I rebooted and now the drive is so longer available. I tried cleaning the contacts again (not that I expect they could become "dirty" so quickly), rebooted and still no DVD drive.

I'm guessing that the fact my drive was present and worked after cleaning the contacts was just a happy coincidence. I'm open to any other suggestions.

Thanks again.

dai

maybe time to replace it you have tried everything else
can you try the drive on another computer

dukdukgoose

Thanks for the effort. I did already try replacing with an identical used but certified working unit (see original post). At this point I'm thinking my best option is to buy an external USB burner and move on. I'm still open to any other ideas, though. Thanks again.

dai

if there is a problem with the connection at the m/b an external may be the best option