Hi folks!
I have one doozy of a problem that I have spent hours on already and cannot fix
Environment:
- Domain environment
- Windows 7 64-bit
- HP Pro Microtower 3000
- HP DVD-RAM GH40L (comes with the Microtower 3000)
- Happening on multiple machines
Problem description:
The HP DVD-RAM GH40L shows as a CD Drive in Explorer. There are no burn options in Explorer. When you right click on a file you cannot Send To > <Optical Drive>.
When you put a blank CD-R into the drive it does not offer to burn files and you cannot right-click the drive > Burn files to disc.
If you attempt to open the drive when a blank disc is in it, it tells me that I need to format the disc:
"Windows cannot read the disc in drive X:\. Make sure that the disc uses a format that Windows recognizes. If the disc is unformatted, you need to format it before using it."
This issue is only occurring on the 64-bit machines that have been imaged. The 32-bit ones with an older image are working OK. I believe it is something to do with the image, but rather than rebuild an entire image I'd like to see if there is a solution.
Note: The burner works if third-party software is installed (Imgburn for example) but I do not consider this a solution.
Steps taken so far:
- Remove device from Device Manager and let Windows re-install
- Update drivers for IDE/ATA
- Remove IDE/ATA drivers and let Windows reinstall
- Check IDE/ATA function in BIOS, tried on both AHCI and IDE
- Update BIOS
- Update firmware
- Ensure group policy is not enforcing a "No CD burning" policy
- Ensure local policy is not enforcing a "No CD burning" policy (redundant as GP is in effect anyway)
- Compare Device Manager drivers/identified devices with a machine that is working
- Export registry key from HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} and import onto PC that's not working
- Attempt from different accounts
- Log into local administrator account to ensure it is not policies of any kind
- Install latest GEAR driver (long shot)
- Various registry hacks (also a long shot as most do not apply to Windows 7), these included Upperfilters clearance and removing the keys under {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
- Windows 7 hardware troubleshooter
- Windows 7 Fix-It for optical drives not working as intended
So far I can discern that none of the following are the issue:
- The DVD drive itself is fine, it is recognised in BIOS and functions OK, and third-party software picks it up as a burner
- It is not a domain policy in place (tested with local account)
- It is not a driver issue - The same driver is in use on working systems (ver# and filename verified)
- It is not a firmware issue - Running on latest
- It is not a function of the onboard controllers - RAID, AHCI and IDE have been tested
I know this seems like a lot of issues have been struck down and there may not be an apparent solution, but all attempts/solutions/suggestions are absolutely welcome. If you need any additional information then please do not hesitate to ask at all!
Warm regards