ITunes registry error/CD-DVD not being recognized

I'm hoping you guys can help. I have a Dell Vostro 1500 laptop and my warranty expired 5 days ago. All of a sudden when I open iTunes, I get the following error message.

''The registry settings used by the iTunes drivers for importing and burning CDs and DVDs are missing. This can happen as a result of installing other CD burning software. Please reinstall iTunes.''

I have not installed any other burning software so that can be ruled out.
I have read a ton of forums on Apple's websites and others and have tried their solutions, but the same problem exists. Some of the things i have tried are:

Deleting the Upper and Lower filters in regedit but the upper and lower filters are missing on my computer. I did a complete uninstall of all Apple products per the instructions on Apple's website, rebooted, and then reinstalled iTunes and that didn't work. I installed a Gear driver, still didn't work.

Now i've noticed that the CD/DVD drive ''disappears'' sometimes. I was trying to burn some data files before and some worked but then all of a sudden it couldn't find the drive. This laptop is only a year old.

Any help would be appreciated. Did anyone resolve this problem?? I have the same issue, but my Nero 9 burns cds just fine.