The dvd disc drive icon has dissapeared from Computer hard ware page on my toshiba satellite laptop running Vista 32 bit operating system. How can I get it back.

Hi,

Initially, would suggest:

• reboot and enter CMOS/BIOS by pressing F2 when prompted that is before Windows starts up;
• determine if the laptop can auto-detect the presence of the CD/DVD drive. Normally it would be shown as an option where the laptop would boot from;
• if the CMOS/BIOS could not detect the presence of the CD/DVD, then it is a hardware problem and you are probably better off seeking the services of qualified repair professionals;
• if on the other hand, the CMOS/BIOS can detect the CD/DVD, then it is a Windows systems/configuration issue;
• to resolve the issue, the registry has to be modified. It is better explained here with step by step instructions.
  

Try this:

Click the Start button, press run and type regedit.

1. In the Registry Editor window, in the left pane, double-click the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder.
2. In the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder, double-click the System folder.
3. In the System folder, double-click the CurrentControlSet folder.
4. In the CurrentControlSet folder, double-click the Control folder.
5. In the Control folder, double-click the Class folder.
6. In the Class folder, click to select the {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} folder.
7. In the right pane, click to select the UpperFilters registry value.
8. Press Del / Delete to remove the registery entry.
9. In the Confirm Value Delete dialog box, click the Yes button.
10. In the right pane, click to select the LowerFilters registry value.
11. Press Del / Delete to remove the registery entry.
12. In the Confirm Value Delete dialog box, click the Yes button.
13. close the regedit window.
14. Restart

Turn the computer OFF and go to the BIOS to check if the DVD drive is still detected.

Try to remove the dvd drive then plug it back in. That should automatically place it back.

Try first removing the battery and unplugging power cable for temn minutes.

If there is a disk inside the dvd remove it.

Try extracting the DVD drive and putting it back in place.