DVD/CD only recognized when it contains a disc

[ellentk1]

Windows 7 only recognizes the DVD/CD drive that came with my W520 in device manager and windows explorer when the drive contains a disc. It works without a problem: I've burned seven DVDs.

I'm not sure how to remedy this. I want to open it using a soft eject.

I flashed the bios when I began setting up the system (bought it a few weeks ago) but didn't test the drive prior to that. The system is not behaving oddly in any other way (yet).

I disabled all autoplay options...not sure if that has something to do with it?

Any help and guidance will be appreciated.

Ellen

[ellentk1]

I discovered that I needed to install the latest thinkpad power management driver because my older one was powering the drive off.

[jayton4]

You can also go to Windows Explorer, click "Organize" and then select "Folder and Layout Options." Go to the "View" tab and then uncheck the option that says "Hide empty drives in the Computer folder."