BleepingComputer.com: CD writer & DVD rom not working

I have an HP 725n, windows XP sp3, about 5 years old.

I don't know when it started, but I just realized the CD & DVD drives aren't working.

Tried to uninstall them & let the hardware wizard re-install them, but it fails & says it can't load the drivers - they're missing or corrupted.
I looked on the HP web site to reload the drivers but can't find them - none of the drivers on their site seem to be for the drives I have.

ANy ideas where i can find drivers? are the sites that advertise free fixes for driver problems here on BleepingComputer safe ?

thanks for any help
BT

Try going to the CD/DVD drive manufacturers website and search the model number to download the most recent driver. Many times computer "manufacturers" discontinue the drivers with the computers so you have to go straight to the source to get what you need.

CD/DVD drives...use drivers automatically supplied by Windows. HP does not provide such, there is no need.

If you uninstall the devices and then reboot, new drivers are installed.

Louis

Louis - thanks for the reply but it didn't solve my problem. When I uninstalled the devices & then rebooted, I got the same problem that the install failed, the drivers were either missing or corrupted.

Its strange that both CD RW & my DVD reader (separate units) went out at the same time (I think). both are IDE.

I tried downloading a driver for the CD unit from DriverGuide.com but that didn't fix it either, still got the same error.

Does this sound like a Windows XP problem?

If I bought a new CD/DVD burner & installed it would that work?

thanks anyone for any assistance

BT

Try disconnecting 1 at a time & see if the other works.

I would try each (1 at a time) in a different system.

Louis