just did a fresh install of XP ,and the dvd writer shows up in the bios, but when you look in device manager its not there,it is correct in the bios, you cannot goto start-run and type the drive letter to access it, when you push the button on the drive it wont work,you can get it to open when you are either starting the machine or shutting it down, i have tried pulling it out and reconnecting everything but that had no effect either.

Try downloading and installing the latest drivers and software for your DVD writer. Be sure to completely uninstall the old drivers.

You may want to do the same for the motherboard/IDE controller if the above doesn't work.

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