Windows 7 IDE DVD drive/burner not showing up in windows 7

[Balfarg]

I have an IDE DVD multi reader/burner (Pioneer DVR-118L) that is showing up in the bios fine I think (I can select it as the first boot drice - it's listed with brand name and everything in the bios) However it doesn't appear in Device Manager or Disk Manager or anything in Windows 7.

I have multiple hard drives in my computer - I had Windows Vista installed on one and I installed Windows 7 Professional on a blank hard drive. The DVD drive worked fine in Windows Vista, and I used it to install Windows 7 on the blank hard drive. I could boot from the disk fine but the installer would not work initially because it said it needed a driver for the DVD drive - I read this may be because it is an upgrade installer only. So, I ran the installer from my Vista installation and it worked fine installing Windows 7, but the drive has never worked within Windows 7. I don't recall ever having to install driver software for the drive when I installed Vista. I was under the impression that optical drives didn't even need drivers.

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like the issue with your IDE DVD multi reader/burner (Pioneer DVR-118L) not appearing in Windows 7 could be related to driver compatibility or system settings. Here are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve this issue:

Steps to Troubleshoot the DVD Drive Issue in Windows 7:​

1. Check Device Manager:
   • Open Device Manager in Windows 7 and check if the DVD drive is listed. Look for any error symbols like exclamation marks next to the DVD drive.
   • If the DVD drive is not listed, it might indicate a driver issue or a connection problem.
   []Update or Reinstall Drivers:
   • Sometimes Windows 7 may not have the appropriate drivers for older hardware like your IDE DVD drive.
   • Visit the manufacturer's website (Pioneer in this case) and search for the latest drivers compatible with Windows 7. Download and install these drivers.
   []Check IDE Cable and Jumper Settings:
   • Ensure that the IDE cable is securely connected to both the motherboard and the DVD drive.
   • Check the jumper settings on the back of the DVD drive. It should be properly set as Master, Slave, or Cable Select according to your system configuration.
   []Check BIOS Settings:
   • Confirm in the BIOS that the IDE controller where the DVD drive is connected is enabled and properly configured.
   • Also, check if the drive is correctly detected in the BIOS.
   []Check for Conflicts:
   • There might be a conflict with other devices. Look for any conflicting devices in Device Manager and resolve them.
   []Run Hardware Troubleshooter:
   • Windows has a built-in hardware troubleshooter that can help identify and fix hardware issues. You can access it via Control Panel > Troubleshooting > Hardware and Sound.
   []Consider Compatibility Mode:
   • If the drivers are not compatible with Windows 7, you can try running the driver installation in compatibility mode for Windows Vista.
2. Check Event Viewer:
   • Look for any relevant error messages in the Windows Event Viewer that might provide more details on why the DVD drive is not being recognized.

     Additional Notes:​

     • While optical drives generally do not require additional drivers for basic functionality, compatibility issues can arise with specific operating systems like Windows 7.
     • The need for a driver during the Windows 7 installation process might indicate an issue related to the installation or the system recognizing the drive correctly.
     Try these steps to see if you can resolve the issue with your DVD drive not appearing in Windows 7. If the problem persists, feel free to provide more details for further assistance.