Windows 7 Installation: A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing

[kbrodw01]

I had a corruption issue with my old Windows 7 installation on my HDD that I couldn't fix, so i decided to buy some upgrades for my computer [these were planned anyway]. I bought a Samsung 840 250 GB SSD and connected it to the computer. I have a P7P55 WS Supercomputer MB by ASUS. The problem is when I try to install windows 7, I get the error "A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing. Please insert the installation media...etc..." I've tried going into the BIOS and changing around boot order, installing drivers from the MB support disk, cleaning the disk, downloading drivers from the internet off a friend's computer and attempted to install those. I'm not sure what else can try aside from getting a new copy of windows 7 and going from there. Ideas?

 

[RokiBombarder]

Hi guys,

I read your answers about USB, but you can do the same thing with your CD! Look, When Windows is asking for driver, just click Cancel. You will be brought back to the welcome screen. At the welcome screen, remove your CD , than insert it back, wait few minutes and Click Install Now again. The installation process will be like usual. Chose your tipe of win7 (x84 or x64) and thats all... works for me, so why can't work for you ;-)

Good Luck to all

 

[Logan Runyon]

after getting the driver request, I did unplug and replug in the optical drive. it still gives me the error. I tried it in the same SATA connector and a different connector. no luck

 

[MangoJeff]

Guys, here is the trick that helped me: Firstly I was installing W7 from USB drive (windows can be copied from disk to USB drive with commands in SMD Console, no need software: http://www.groovypost.com/howto/howto/create-a-windows-bootable-install-sd-card-or-usb-flash-drive/ ). Look for the color of your USB slot, make sure it is black, not blue. Blue means it is USB 3, avoid it. Plug your external DVD ROM or USB Card into black slot then run setup. If you got this error message - TURN OFF your laptop, change the USB slot and then turn on. That's what helped me. First I was changing slot, it didn't help, then cancel the installation, PC went for restart and everything just repeated. Make sure you turn it off completely before changing USB slot. Also what might help - in BIOS disable "USB XHCI Controller". Let us know if it helped you.

 

[Swifty6938]

After messing around with everything on all posts across google and beyond, I found my issue was that in BIOS, USB 3.0 was enabled, and needed to be set to auto.

Recap:
New HP Spectre USB 3.0 only
Win7 bootable USB
Safe Boot Disabled
Legacy Disabled
USB 3.0 Changed from Enabled, to AUTO.

Hope this helps.

THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU !

 

[donovan broadus]

Ok, I've actually solved this myself via the help of a thread on tom's hardware. I'll post it here for anyone else struggling with the same issue:

OK now is the truth. This is the solution.

I assume all of you is using USB drive to install.

When Windows is asking for driver, just click Cancel. You will be brought back to the welcome screen. At the welcome screen, remove your USB drive, insert it back to DIFFERENT USB PORT. Click Install Now again. The installation process will be like usual.

This problem happened to all new version of updated Windows 7 installer. I think, it is due to failure of Windows installer to remain its detection to the USB drive. It lost the connection, and became confused, don't know where to find the USB drive it used to read before.

When we re-insert the USB drive, Windows installer will detect the USB drive back, and continue like usual.

HARDIK, YOU ARE MY NEW HERO!

THIS was the solution to the 'need CD/DVD driver' message, simply move the install USB drive to another port and PRESTO! THANK YOU, MY FRIEND!!

THe above worked for me as well! be sure that you are using a usb 2.0 drive an dusb 2.0 port!

 

[zeonyphus]

I've done everything here (and some other fixes) and it still doesnt work. I dont know what to do anymore because I know my computer is capable of 64-bit. also i have used every resource disk, every usb/cd configuration. I even tried on my other computer (witch is also 64-bit capable) and i was still unable to get it to work. I have tried it with Xubuntu 14, windows 8, windows 10, and all of the above on a virtual machine, still without luck. I really need help fixing this becuase i have 8gb of ram and i can only use 4gb. also some of the games i play have issues with 32-bit display drivers and the easiest fix is upgrading to 64-bit. My mobo is the Asrock z97 extreme 4 and my hdd is the seagate barracuda 7200.7 200gb. ive also tried on my barracuda 7200.10 160gb and it didnt work

 

[roy russell]

i think the old changing the usb port is on the right track, but didnt work for me as the installer ekpt seeing the same usb key, i solved this by preparing a 2nd usb key with the install on it and swapping the initial key for the second untill it saw that, then it chooffed along and installed off the 2nd key,

go figure....

anyway worked for me in the end.

possibly may help someone else that's snookered by the browse just rescanning drive x.

 

[ARCHIEJERRY]

I had a corruption issue with my old Windows 7 installation on my HDD that I couldn't fix, so i decided to buy some upgrades for my computer [these were planned anyway]. I bought a Samsung 840 250 GB SSD and connected it to the computer. I have a P7P55 WS Supercomputer MB by ASUS. The problem is when I try to install windows 7, I get the error "A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing. Please insert the installation media...etc..." I've tried going into the BIOS and changing around boot order, installing drivers from the MB support disk, cleaning the disk, downloading drivers from the internet off a friend's computer and attempted to install those. I'm not sure what else can try aside from getting a new copy of windows 7 and going from there. Ideas?

 

[Michael Simpson]

Hello all

I have to say that after hours of hard core trial and error the only thing that has worked is the USB swap out and plug into another USB socket!!!!!!

Please try this 1st as it could save you hours if not days of wasted time!!!!!!!!!!!!

To anyone with an Alienware m11x r3 (((use the left hand side USB socket))))

 

[Paul NZ]

It usually happens if you use a USB 3 port. As above plug it into a USB 2 port.

Most of the time this should fix it. Not too sure if it'll happens if you use a USB 3 flash drive in a USB 2 port tho.

However I wouldn't recommend changing SATA to IDE (in the BIOS), if you're using a SATA hdd.

Because once you install windows (and if you change it back to SATA after), it'll probably crash on you

When it tries to boot into windows

Its usually happens with Win7

 

[Cousin Barney]

Guys, here is the trick that helped me: Firstly I was installing W7 from USB drive (windows can be copied from disk to USB drive with commands in SMD Console, no need software: http://www.groovypost.com/howto/howto/create-a-windows-bootable-install-sd-card-or-usb-flash-drive/ ). Look for the color of your USB slot, make sure it is black, not blue. Blue means it is USB 3, avoid it. Plug your external DVD ROM or USB Card into black slot then run setup. If you got this error message - TURN OFF your laptop, change the USB slot and then turn on. That's what helped me. First I was changing slot, it didn't help, then cancel the installation, PC went for restart and everything just repeated. Make sure you turn it off completely before changing USB slot. Also what might help - in BIOS disable "USB XHCI Controller". Let us know if it helped you.

Hey Jeff, THANK YOU !! By simply booting up with my USB in a black (not blue USB 3) slot it worked.

 

[msandstr]

Ok, I've actually solved this myself via the help of a thread on tom's hardware. I'll post it here for anyone else struggling with the same issue:

OK now is the truth. This is the solution.

I assume all of you is using USB drive to install.

When Windows is asking for driver, just click Cancel. You will be brought back to the welcome screen. At the welcome screen, remove your USB drive, insert it back to DIFFERENT USB PORT. Click Install Now again. The installation process will be like usual.

This problem happened to all new version of updated Windows 7 installer. I think, it is due to failure of Windows installer to remain its detection to the USB drive. It lost the connection, and became confused, don't know where to find the USB drive it used to read before.

When we re-insert the USB drive, Windows installer will detect the USB drive back, and continue like usual.

Yes. Yes. Yes.
That worked.
Thanks!

 

[jj4ester]

Ok, I've actually solved this myself via the help of a thread on tom's hardware. I'll post it here for anyone else struggling with the same issue:

OK now is the truth. This is the solution.

I assume all of you is using USB drive to install.

When Windows is asking for driver, just click Cancel. You will be brought back to the welcome screen. At the welcome screen, remove your USB drive, insert it back to DIFFERENT USB PORT. Click Install Now again. The installation process will be like usual.

This problem happened to all new version of updated Windows 7 installer. I think, it is due to failure of Windows installer to remain its detection to the USB drive. It lost the connection, and became confused, don't know where to find the USB drive it used to read before.

When we re-insert the USB drive, Windows installer will detect the USB drive back, and continue like usual.

HARDIK, YOU ARE MY NEW HERO!

THIS was the solution to the 'need CD/DVD driver' message, simply move the install USB drive to another port and PRESTO! THANK YOU, MY FRIEND!!

THe above worked for me as well! be sure that you are using a usb 2.0 drive and usb 2.0 port!

This worked like a champ! You are the best! I wasted money buying a Win 7 DVD from a dealer because I thought my win 7 boot on my USB stick was bad. I wasted $125.00!!! My wife was not happy to hear that! Oh well, at least I have a Win 7 DVD for backup, just in case! Thanks again man!

 

[danbfree]

I was trying to use a nice and fast USB 3.0 thumb drive on a 3.0 port, simply had to move to 2.0 port, I didn't feel like trying to find 3.0 drivers.

Bottom line is that you do NOT have to use a 2.0 drive, you can use a 3.0 drive, you just have to use a 2.0 port and it was still very fast installing onto an SSD.

 

[Anton Prus]

clean up CD ... works for me several times ... IOATAPI.SYS should be located there... its dirty surface what causes to this error

you can use soap even ) just dry it before usage

 

[Le Nin]

After messing around with everything on all posts across google and beyond, I found my issue was that in BIOS, USB 3.0 was enabled, and needed to be set to auto.

Recap:
New HP Spectre USB 3.0 only
Win7 bootable USB
Safe Boot Disabled
Legacy Disabled
USB 3.0 Changed from Enabled, to AUTO.

Hope this helps.

Thank you thank you so much!! After scouring through the web trying a lot of suggestions, yet to no avail, I finally found this, and IT WORKS. At first I thought it's a problem with my external DVD drive, but then bootable USB still didn't work, even when I changed to USB 2.0 ports. Reading this, I have found a setting in my Asus's BIOS, "XHCI pre-boot mode", that I changed from Enabled to Auto, and to my atonishment all USB 2.0 or 3.0 ports suddenly works (well, except for one USB 2.0 port which then refuse to regconize my stick).
I have passed by tomshardware for some time, now I'm registering to thank you.

 

[Rafa_1]

Ur the man bro... Is all about timing

Ok, I've actually solved this myself via the help of a thread on tom's hardware. I'll post it here for anyone else struggling with the same issue:

OK now is the truth. This is the solution.

I assume all of you is using USB drive to install.

When Windows is asking for driver, just click Cancel. You will be brought back to the welcome screen. At the welcome screen, remove your USB drive, insert it back to DIFFERENT USB PORT. Click Install Now again. The installation process will be like usual.

This problem happened to all new version of updated Windows 7 installer. I think, it is due to failure of Windows installer to remain its detection to the USB drive. It lost the connection, and became confused, don't know where to find the USB drive it used to read before.

When we re-insert the USB drive, Windows installer will detect the USB drive back, and continue like usual.

HARDIK, YOU ARE MY NEW HERO!

THIS was the solution to the 'need CD/DVD driver' message, simply move the install USB drive to another port and PRESTO! THANK YOU, MY FRIEND!!

 

[nickbms]

After messing around with everything on all posts across google and beyond, I found my issue was that in BIOS, USB 3.0 was enabled, and needed to be set to auto.

Recap:
New HP Spectre USB 3.0 only
Win7 bootable USB
Safe Boot Disabled
Legacy Disabled
USB 3.0 Changed from Enabled, to AUTO.

Hope this helps.

I am having this same problem and after trying different USB sticks, all the different USB ports 3.0 and 2.0, creating the bootable usb 4 different times I cannot resolve this problem and it still comes up with the CD/DVD drivers missing error.

I have changed the Legacy from Enabled to Disabled to Auto and this did not make a difference.

There is no option on my ASrock motherboard to change USB 3.0 setting from Enabled to Auto.

There do not seem to be any other helpful settings in the mobo settings that I can play with.

I have only used ImgBurn for the ISO creation, so I haven't tried any other software alternatives for this part of creating the USB.

I have noticed that my motherboard seems to be UEFI - is this the problem? When creating the bootable USB I originally used Rufus as advised by the Novatech staff which has different instructions for UEFI and BIOS setups (and I could not use the ISO I have for UEFI for some reason so could only try the BIOS version), however the second time round I used WinToFlash just in case it was the boot creator software that was the issue. WinToFlash does not specify whether your PC is using a BIOS or UEFI setup.

The PC is running an Intel Celeron 1.6GHz processor with 4GB RAM and is brand new today!

What else can I do apart from getting a CD drive? Are there any other solutions?

 

[hyper_tyl]

Guys, here is the trick that helped me: Firstly I was installing W7 from USB drive (windows can be copied from disk to USB drive with commands in SMD Console, no need software: http://www.groovypost.com/howto/howto/create-a-windows-bootable-install-sd-card-or-usb-flash-drive/ ). Look for the color of your USB slot, make sure it is black, not blue. Blue means it is USB 3, avoid it. Plug your external DVD ROM or USB Card into black slot then run setup. If you got this error message - TURN OFF your laptop, change the USB slot and then turn on. That's what helped me. First I was changing slot, it didn't help, then cancel the installation, PC went for restart and everything just repeated. Make sure you turn it off completely before changing USB slot. Also what might help - in BIOS disable "USB XHCI Controller". Let us know if it helped you.

Hi jeff,
I have been tried this for day long & still no luck, until i saw your solution, u r the man! thanks a lot!

 

[THE_BDC]

elvalid...YOU DA MAN! This was my issue as well...and I tried EVERY scenario! I have an Asus Zenbook UX31A...they don't have a built-n NIC - but comes with a dongle/USB adapter - Dude I went as far as creating a bootable flash drive (which works on any other computer) and trying to do a Network Install and failed because of the NIC! Thank you sir...

After messing around with everything on all posts across google and beyond, I found my issue was that in BIOS, USB 3.0 was enabled, and needed to be set to auto.

Recap:
New HP Spectre USB 3.0 only
Win7 bootable USB
Safe Boot Disabled
Legacy Disabled
USB 3.0 Changed from Enabled, to AUTO.

Hope this helps.

 

[Bojan Davidovic]

Had the problem here also. Nothing worked but that blessed suggestion about turning off the lap top, and only than putting your USB to 2.0 slot. Everything else was fail for me. BTW, if you for any reason restart your PC before it finishes 1st phase of copping the issue will be back. Atleast it was for me, even tho the USB remained at slot 2.0. Just turn of PC and turn back on, it will continue good.

 

[sapo_suicida]

Ok, I've actually solved this myself via the help of a thread on tom's hardware. I'll post it here for anyone else struggling with the same issue:

OK now is the truth. This is the solution.

I assume all of you is using USB drive to install.

When Windows is asking for driver, just click Cancel. You will be brought back to the welcome screen. At the welcome screen, remove your USB drive, insert it back to DIFFERENT USB PORT. Click Install Now again. The installation process will be like usual.

This problem happened to all new version of updated Windows 7 installer. I think, it is due to failure of Windows installer to remain its detection to the USB drive. It lost the connection, and became confused, don't know where to find the USB drive it used to read before.

When we re-insert the USB drive, Windows installer will detect the USB drive back, and continue like usual.

After trying everything else, this worked for me.
Tks

 

[Mofa]

Ok, I've actually solved this myself via the help of a thread on tom's hardware. I'll post it here for anyone else struggling with the same issue:

OK now is the truth. This is the solution.

I assume all of you is using USB drive to install.

When Windows is asking for driver, just click Cancel. You will be brought back to the welcome screen. At the welcome screen, remove your USB drive, insert it back to DIFFERENT USB PORT. Click Install Now again. The installation process will be like usual.

This problem happened to all new version of updated Windows 7 installer. I think, it is due to failure of Windows installer to remain its detection to the USB drive. It lost the connection, and became confused, don't know where to find the USB drive it used to read before.

When we re-insert the USB drive, Windows installer will detect the USB drive back, and continue like usual.

This definetly is the best solution. One thing I have to add, when you rensert the USB key, wait 10-15 seconds, to give the system time to discover it. Thanks Hardik!

 

[bkhan136]

Ok, I've actually solved this myself via the help of a thread on tom's hardware. I'll post it here for anyone else struggling with the same issue:

OK now is the truth. This is the solution.

I assume all of you is using USB drive to install.

When Windows is asking for driver, just click Cancel. You will be brought back to the welcome screen. At the welcome screen, remove your USB drive, insert it back to DIFFERENT USB PORT. Click Install Now again. The installation process will be like usual.

This problem happened to all new version of updated Windows 7 installer. I think, it is due to failure of Windows installer to remain its detection to the USB drive. It lost the connection, and became confused, don't know where to find the USB drive it used to read before.

When we re-insert the USB drive, Windows installer will detect the USB drive back, and continue like usual.

 

[bkhan136]

Thanks Hardik. It solved my problem. When i booted windows setup file from external USB DVD drive i got driver missing error so i just cancelled that windows and connected the DVD to another USB port and it worked.