I have a CD ROM that is no longer being recognized by my Vista laptop.

should recognize the cd rom /dvd unit automatically
lower picture is of the c300 cd unit
anything look different from the original ............lowest picture
CRX880A Compaq Presario C305LA C508US C551NR Optical Combo Drive CD-RW DVD- ROM

do a driver update on the hardware, and check your setup to see if is enabled as well F2 at start up ok good luck and have a nice day the fixist

what kind of media are you loading? is this a DVD or a program disc? If this is a DVD disc, try loading a music CD or other type of disc to see if it is recognized. If so, its possible your PC DVD is unable to recognize that specifc type of DVD. Try other DVD's which you know worked before using Vista. Even though your machine says the device is working properly, check the Lenovo website for updated drivers for the DVD and the board chipset. Let me know if updating the drivers does not work. Meanwhile, I'll see if I can find out any more information from Lenovo.

may be your combo drive go to demage change it replace another or you use external usb cd rom or DVD must be select usb cd rom/DVD

Did you ever solve the non-recognition problem?

My C840 fails to recognize the/an extra HD in the modular bay, after I "overfilled(??)" it.

What to do to regain access to information stored on HD that the computer no longer recognizes? (Other components, including other HD's continue to work ok in the modular bay).
[email protected]

Can you boot from this external drive maybe you need to set some bios options.

Need to go to the hard drive maker website and look for a driver and install it to your computer search for the model # on the website of the hard drive company

try a disk cleaner it might be dirty inside and they are very sensative

"...manual driver update..." ... from the device's included driver disk? Or from a web-source? If web-source, how long ago and from where?
"...it found the hardware but was still unable to load driver software..." ... So Windows does recognize it then? Unable to load what .. the driver(s)?
"...Vista just isn't recognizeing my CD-ROM at all" ... ??? If I understand correctly, Windows "device manager" recognizes when its deleted, then refreshed, but Vista doesn't recognize it? By this do you mean it's icon does not show up in "My Computer"?

Lot of questions I know, but it's necessary to define the trouble in order to know which direction to go next.

ASSUMING IT'S RECOGNIZED BY YOUR WINDOWS VISTA OPERATING SYSTEM:

Here are a couple of very helpful and comprehensive software diagnostic tools for you to download at http://www.cdspeed2000.com/download.html. They are both FREEWARE and the same tools licensed to Nero for inclusion in their software products.

Installation: Simply extract/unzip the file to any chosen directory and run the executable (*.EXE).

1. "Nero DiscSpeed". Thoroughly tests speed and performance of your optical drives(s).
Download: http://www.cdspeed2000.com/files/NeroDiscSpeed_41140.zip
- Refer to the program's Help for guidance.
- User guide also available at http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=192563
- Here's a quick shorthand:
a. File > Options > Standard Tests > Choose which tests you wish to run (if unsure, use the default settings), then "OK"
b. Click "Start"

2. "Nero DriveSpeed". Adjust/control your drive's spin /up/down times and noise levels.
Download: http://www.cdspeed2000.com/files/NeroDriveSpeed_300.zip

ASSUMING IT'S NOT:

You need to get the latest and best driver package, then re-install. If you can provide the make/model/series of the drive, I can provide you with a reliable source to download.

Please report back, and in all likelyhood we'll get you some joy.

"Today's the best day of my life...and NOW you're part of it!"

Provide a CD/DVD cleaner disc and clean it maybe it help;
I encoutered that problem 3 months ago, the DVD ROM recognized only few DVD disc, other DVD's won't even the windows is freshly installed. The laptop was return back to the store they replace it.

However, in your case; it work fine before so maybe i suggest you to clean your DVD rom using the cleaner, if not work then , scan your computer with a potent antivirus, if this not work also, maybe i recommend to format and reinstall the system,

If all of those are not working maybe its time for you to enjoy the warranty of your laptop if the laptop has a warranty. hope this help.