Lost drives - where have they gone?

Jacey53

I have a fairly old HP pavilion desktop which runs Windows XP. Until recently i was able to play CDs and DVDs on the computer using Windows Media and Realplayer. When I looked at My Computer the CD and DVD drives were there as E and F drives.

These drives have now disappeared and when i put the discs into the slots I get a green light as though the tower system is trying to read them. Nothing else happens.

I do not understand this. I moved the computer system recently - but can't be sure whether the problem occurred before that or not. I have checked that I attached all the components (monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer) properly and cannot see a problem there.

I can't find any "help" that covers this - but don't really understand what I'm looking for. Has the disc reader failed? Would it be the same reader for both drives?

I suspect I've pressed a key to install the wrong thing or moved a lead somehow but i don't have a clue what.

I have a lot of problems with Norton 360 - could that be something to do with it?

Any advice gratefully received.

Browntoa

itunes sometimes steals them as its own

this resets it

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060

To fix this problem automatically, click the Fix this problem link. Then, click Run now button from the Automated Troubleshooting Services page and follow the steps in this wizard.

Fix this problem

Microsoft Automated Troubleshooting Services: Your CD or DVD drive cannot read or write media