dvd/cd-drive problem

[Yousef210]

hi all
i just installed windows vista on my hp pavillion zd8000. after the install i had to get a few drivers and firmwares because vista didnt have for them.
on of those was the dvd/cd-drive drive. i updated the firmware, and it turned out to be the wrong firmware file. now the dvd/cd-drive wont read or even appear on the my computer, or in the device settings. i put a cd in, it reads it as normal but theres nothing on the computer. so i was wondering if anywone had solution for this problem because i cant do without a dvd/cd-drive.


Specs:
HP Pavilion ZD8000 Notebook

1GB RAM
100GB HDD
ATI Mobility Radeon X600 128MB
Windows Vista Ultimate

 

[ShadowProwler420]

Disconnect the power and data connections/cables to the drive and reboot. Then shut the system back down once you get the OS loaded (see the desktop), and reconnect the drive. Boot up again and see if the drive is recognized.

If that doesn't work, then check to see if there is an update to your BIOS available.

 

[Yousef210]

thanks for the reply
isnt there any other way other than that because i have to take the whole bottom half of the laptop off to reach those wires

 

[ShadowProwler420]

Sorry, guess I should've Googled your model to determine if we were dealing with a laptop or desktop.

By 'device settings', do you mean the Device Manager?

 

[Yousef210]

haha yea i should of made it clear too
yea i mean device manager, the drive does not show up at all

 

[ShadowProwler420]

When was the last time a system restore point was created? That may be your only alternative (other than reinstalling the OS).

 

[Yousef210]

ohh boy ...
i have no clue when the last restore point was ...
and if i do, lots of stuff will be screwed with ...
isnt there any other waay ??

 

[ShadowProwler420]

Have you checked for the 'right' driver (from the device's manufacturer website)?

 

[Yousef210]

uhm, yes
i think thatys what screwed me up
because there all xp drivers, none for vista

 

[ShadowProwler420]

Yeah, I would say that's what began this headache for you.

I found this thread in my search for an answer for you in which the guy fixed his issue with the system restore approach. So that's probably gonna be your best bet if you aren't comfortable with dismantling your laptop to get to the cables like I mentioned in my original post (unless you want to do a fresh install of Vista ).

 

[Yousef210]

well thanks for trying to help me
problem is when i installed vista i did this right away, so it didnt make a system restore point before i did
i tried again with the xp one from hp and it still says "not found"
so i guess im preety much screwed if i dont install vista ... again

 

[ShadowProwler420]

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

But maybe now you'll think twice about using an XP driver with Vista.

 

[Yousef210]

yea ... well now i'll think twic of installing vista

anyway thanks for the help

 

[DoubleHelix]

Firmware updates are applied to hardware and are not specific to an operating system. You won't be able to install any operating system or use the drive in any way if it was truly damaged by a bad firmware update.

 

[Yousef210]

well lucky for me, i have vista files in my computer and thats how i installed vista before; from a virtual drive
smart eh