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That error and a number of other error codes can be reported for a DVD or CD writer if something has damaged one of the filter drivers, which are called Upper Filter and Lower Filter drivers in the Windows Registry. They can be installed by CD-writing software such as
Roxio Easy CD, or by DVD players such as
PowerDVD, or by programs such as
Musicmatch Jukebox.
Microsoft describes the problem in
MS Knowledge Base article 314060
- CD-ROM access is missing and messages cite error Code 31, Code 32, Code 19, or Code 39 after you remove Roxio Easy CD Creator in Windows XP at
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=314060.
The article applies to Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional It implies that the problem is caused only by
Roxio software, but the error can occur with any type of CD-writing or DVD software. Error messages that may occur when you try to access your CD or DVD drive include:
1. - Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the Registry) is incomplete or damaged. (Code 19)
2. - This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31)
3. - A driver (service) for this device has been disabled. An alternate driver may be providing this functionality. (Code 32)
4. - Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)
5. - Windows successfully loaded the device driver for this hardware but cannot find the hardware device. (Code 41)
However, there are other causes for these and similar messages. The solution provided below applies mainly to CD or DVD drives. For other explanations, read this
MS Knowledge Base article -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310123.
Uninstalling and then reinstalling CD-writing and DVD software may cure the problem, but in other cases, such as yours, the Windows Registry has to be edited in order to fix it. Making erroneous changes to the Registry can render a computer unbootable, so before you edit it, use Windows XP's
System Restore to create a restore point that will allow you to restore it in
Safe Mode, or export the keys from the Registry editor by using its
File =>
Export feature. For more information, enter the word Registry in the
Search box of
Start =>
Help and Support.
Enter regedit in the
Start =>
Run box to run the
Registry Editor and click on the + signs to expand and highlight the following keys:
H_KEY _LOCALMACHINE => SYSTEM => CurrentControlSet => Control => Class => {4D36E965E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE 1 0318}
There should be many keys called
{4D36E965E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE 1 0318}
If you want to export a copy of the values, select
File =>
Export and enter a suitable filename, which will be saved as a .reg file that can be restored just by clicking on it. When you select a particular key, in the right window, for some of them, you should see keys called UpperFilters and LowerFilters. Select each such entry in turn, right-click with the mouse on it, and click
Delete. After closing the
Registry Editor, you should be able to use the
CD/DVD drive again. However, you may have to reinstall software that accesses the drive, such as CD writers and DVD players.