I recently had a problem with my HP laptop in that it wouldn't boot up, just kept going in a loop from the "We apologise...etc. and then gives the 'start normally', 'start in safe mode', 'start from last known point when it worked type options'". I had to boot up from some recovery discs I made when I first got laptop,which meant I lost a lot of files/software etc.

However since then CD-Rom drive doesn't work. Mechanically/hardware wise there doesn't seem to be anything wrong but it doesn't show in My Computer. Plus Itunes, WMP etc. don't recognise a CD drive being present. Yet it does show in System Properties and drivers show as up to date.

I've been back and forth with emails to HP who have given a few suggestions; re-seat drive, update BIOS, change registry settings, uninstall and restart to re-install drivers etc but still no joy. They're now saying new drive needed but I can't see how it's a hardware problem and I don't want to go to expense and hassle of a new drive when this seems unlikely to be neccesary IMO.

Any techie gurus got any ideas?

I had something similar with my Toshiba laptop Jamie. It was down to the drive not seating properly & making good connections. I eventually cured the problem by cleaning all the contacts I could reach with a pencil eraser.

might be worth a try. Can you hear the drive spinning & does the light come on at all?

Thanks, yes I re-seated drive just in case but hardware wasn't problem, defo software. Eventually disregarded HP advice and re-booted (again) from my original recovery discs. Alright now. Nice clean laptop memory now tho'...