CD/DVD is unconsistently recognized

[togyf]

Hi all,

I started having a problem with my DVD drive. Initially it was not appearing neither under My Computer nor Hardware Devices, but reinserting the DVD drive would fix the issue.
Now that does not work anymore. The reason I do not think it is a bad contact is that sometimes, when I can see it, by rebooting my laptop it disappears. Some other times, by starting "Scan for hardware changes" it appears under both Device Manager and My Computer.
Most of the times, none of this works.

I know it is a very inconsistent issue. If anybody has any idea at all, it would be really helpful for me to start having a clue.

Thanks a lot,
Feli,

[tfflivemb2]

It sounds to me like the drive is failing. What system is this for?

[togyf]

Hi,
it's a T42p 2373-C96.
But why would the laptop reset make a difference or the hardware discovery find it?

Thanks,
Feli.

[Kyocera]

I had a desktop that did the same thing, sometimes i'd have to reboot several times to get the cd drive recognized.

[thinkpadfreak]

Hey

I've had the same problem for a while now on my T40. Only difference is that when I do reboot, it always gets recognized again. One thing I've noticed is that my CDRW/DVD gets "lost" when ever I put it thru a good days usage...it usually disappears when I turn my T40 back on next day. I think my T40's days are comming to an end just like Mod. K. Eng's did a few days ago.