brucewhy :
There is no apparent reason that I'm aware of regarding the absence of my CD/DVD drive from the computer device manager. No desire to use "fix It" so called downloadable apps for a price. Just want to know if I can get drivers or open my laptop or have to get a new laptop. (other issues too). The drive appears to work, just not recognized.
Recent Windows update ? Might restore prior to that update.
This may also work.
Changing the Transfer mode for the device may solve the issue.
To enable DMA mode using the Device Manager
Open Device Manager.
Double-click IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers to display the list of controllers and channels.
Right-click the icon for the channel to which the device is connected, select Properties, and then click the Advanced Settings tab.
In the Current Transfer Mode drop-down box, select DMA if Available if the current setting is "PIO Only."
If the drop-down box already shows "DMA if Available" but the current transfer mode is PIO, then the user must toggle the settings. That is:
Change the selection from "DMA if available" to PIO only, and click OK.
Then repeat the steps above to change the selection to DMA if Available.