DVD ROM andDVD-RW

My presario f700 is experiencing the same loss of dvd drive. i am able to get the computer to see the drive by using system restore, but it continues to happen. I open windows explorer and find that the drive is not listed under "My Computer". The only way i am able to use the drive is to system restore. sometimes it works and sometimes not (have to repeat until it does work). I think the problem is software based, and not hardware (unless the issue is in the drive itself). Hope this helps add info to the search for a solution.

Will probably need more information to help you, but do the following. First, right-click your My Computer icon (I'm assuming that you're a windows user) and then click properties. Click on the tab that read "Hardware", and then click the button that says "Device Manager". A list will pop up- scroll down to the line that reads "DVD/CDROM Drives" and click on the plus sign to expand the list- make sure that your drive is listed. If not, right-click on the computer's name at the top of the list and click "scan for hardware changes", it may pop up in a scan. If THAT doesn't work, open your Control Panel and click on "Add Hardware". You will be asked if the hardware is already connected to your computer- we'll assume that's a yes for now. You may be prompted for a disk, or a driver file. If so, it couldn't hurt to go to the drive manufacturer's website and download appropriate drivers (I've never known Windows to NOT detect a drive out of the box, however). Download the file, install or unzip it (varies from file to file) and direct the Hardware wizard to the location of the installed files. If that doesn't work, you can attempt to locate the drive from a list of compatible windows hardware on the next screen. If it STILL doesn't work- Open the case, the procedure varies some from machine to machine, but you'll probably remove two thumb screws from the rear- then remove the side panel. There should be a flat cable attached to the back of your cd-rom drive, about 3 inches wide, and usually gray. One end should be attached to the drive and the other end should connect to your motherboard. If not, connect it- it only goes in one way, has a tooth to prevent screwups. Next, check that the drive is connected to the power supply; a small, one inch wide connector that terminates four wires should lead from your power supply (large box at top left, has huge pile of cables snaking out of it) to the drive. If not, grab a loose power connector (you should have at least one) and plug it into the drive. If all this checks out, make sure that the jumpers are set correctly on the drive. To do so, you'll most likely have to removethe drive from the machine- look around where all the conenctions are to see two small rows of pins (tiny, even) that have a small bracket arranged vertically between the rows- make sure that it is inserted under the label "M" (master) or "CS" (cable select) either should do. Put the drive back in the machine, hook up the flat (IDE) cable and the power cable, and power the machine on. Since it's rebooting now's a good time to check and see if the drive is detected by the BIOS (that screen of crap that whizzes by when you first start your computer). As the machine starts, it may say something like "Press Del to Enter Setup" or F1, or a bunch of other keys, varies from machine to machine. Press it, and you'll go to a screen that lists some of your hardware and computer specifications. Somewhere in there it should list your drive, again depends on the machine. If it doesn't... there may be several other things. I'd have to know what BIOS your machine uses to continue. If none of these things work out for you, there could be other solutions- try using a different IDE cable, use a different power cable, replace the drive (they're rather cheap these days, or borrow one for testing). I'd need more information to continue.