Tried out the cdgone reg patch, didn't really do anything, it just made my AnDVD report on reboot that the DVD drives weren't connected or something. Tel me more about spyblaster please...
SpywareBlaster:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
It isn't real-time protection at all. Make sure you update it first!
You just apply the protection and then exit it, it doesn't stay running. On the first screen that loads click "Enable All Protection", what it does can be viewed at the link listed above which happens to be its homepage.
When you first run it you should do the following:
* Update it.
* Click System Snapshot, and then select Create new System Snapshot.
* Click Tools > Hosts Safe, and then click Create New Backup.
SpywareBlaster won't fix your CD/DVD drives, it "may" however block the Sony DRM Rootkit using the info posted here.
Edit: I meant: Once the Sony DRM Rootkit is removed, it "may" block future installations of it -- that is if Sony doesn't change its DRM Rootkit.
I see what you mean, like the immunize in Spybot?
EDIT: Done that, cheers, I always thought it was real-time protection but it isn't thats cool. Now, what would happen though if I unplugged the drive and replugged it back?
I don't know, I suppose you'd also have to start Windows without the drive plugged in, then shutdown Windows plug the drive back in, and then start Windows with it plugged in. Although I doubt that would really fix it since I'm assuming the drive info/configuration is probably either missing in the registry, or if WinXP uses anything like Win98 the info is missing from a hardware configuration file stored on the hard disk.
Use at your own risk:
I remembered that JV16 PowerTools (commercial software, not freeware) had a hardware reset feature built into it, I'm not sure if other programs have this ability. BUT it details Windows having to reinstall ALL hardware. I remember trying it on my Win98 system just before I was about to format and I noticed the big mess it made, luckily I was minutes away from doing a format anyways so it really didn't matter.
Edit:
Check the BIOS settings and make sure the drive is enabled in the BIOS.
I don't know, I suppose you'd also have to start Windows without the drive plugged in, then shutdown Windows plug the drive back in, and then start Windows with it plugged in. Although I doubt that would really fix it since I'm assuming the drive info/configuration is probably either missing in the registry, or if WinXP uses anything like Win98 the info is missing from a hardware configuration file stored on the hard disk.
Hmm, I think I might give it a go, it might help, but isn't just one drive thats buggered, its both of my CD drives and my Floppy drive (says all the floppy disks I put in their aren't formatted when they are).
Use at your own risk:I remembered that JV16 PowerTools (commercial software, not freeware) had a hardware reset feature built into it, I'm not sure if other programs have this ability. BUT it details Windows having to reinstall ALL hardware. I remember trying it on my Win98 system just before I was about to format and I noticed the big mess it made, luckily I was minutes away from doing a format anyways so it really didn't matter.
What are oyu saying that this is a program I could use? Or are you saying it is a possible effect if I was to to start Windows without the drive plugged in, then shutdown Windows plug the drive back in, and then start Windows with it plugged in?
Edit:Check the BIOS settings and make sure the drive is enabled in the BIOS.
Where are they?
I really do appreciate the help you are giving me here, even if the problem isn't fixed, I am stil very thankfull.
I think your problem sounds similar to mine...see MY CD Drive's are not there....I have been trying everything today. I checked out the link that was suggested, but that fix cdgone.zip patch has a date from 1999..2002. I seem to have had this problem when I downloaded the last version of ccleaner and ran it. I must have removed something. Someone suggested removing some registry values and I am really afraid to do that. I have a CODE 41...something to do with Easy CD Creator..I am not sure about removing these registry entries...
When I reboot the system, the lights flash on my 2 CD drives as if they are there, but my system does not recognize them...
Any ideas??
the cdgone.zip patch....is that a current patch??
You could use it, but at your own risk!
More clearly explained: I'm saying that program JV16 PowerTools has a built-in feature that will remove all current hardware settings from a system, which will cause Windows to re-detect them. The warning "use at your own risk" was because I noticed when I had used it on my Win98 system (just as a test mind you) that it really created a mess, e.g.; more problems versus just formatting.
The BIOS settings are in your system boot menu, e.g.; on some systems you press the F2 or F12 key when you see the Windows logo before the system starts, then you enter the BIOS settings to make sure all drives are detected in the BIOS and enabled via the BIOS.
I don't know if it's current or not, it was something I just stumbled upon purely by accident or coincidence and remembered this thread started by Ulimate Predator.
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I would think that Microsoft "may" or "should" have some KB article about this issue, try searching Microsoft Help & Support.
You could use it, but at your own risk!More clearly explained: I'm saying that program JV16 PowerTools has a built-in feature that will remove all current hardware settings from a system, which will cause Windows to re-detect them. The warning "use at your own risk" was because I noticed when I had used it on my Win98 system (just as a test mind you) that it really created a mess, e.g.; more problems versus just formatting.
The BIOS settings are in your system boot menu, e.g.; on some systems you press the F2 or F12 key when you see the Windows logo before the system starts, then you enter the BIOS settings to make sure all drives are detected in the BIOS and enabled via the BIOS.
I don't know if it's current or not, it was something I just stumbled upon purely by accident or coincidence and remembered this thread started by Ulimate Predator.
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I would think that Microsoft "may" or "should" have some KB article about this issue, try searching Microsoft Help & Support.
I was about to go there and try to find an answer. Meanwhile I removed Easy CD Creator...no change..I didn't think it would
I check System/Device Manager/DVD....both my drives have a yellow symbol with an point ! in the middle...when I click properties this is what is stated:
Windows successfully loaded the device driver for this hardware but cannot find the hardware device. (Code 41)
Click Troubleshoot to start the troubleshooter for this device.
I tried that ....no good...so now I am off the check out Microsoft...thanks
You could use it, but at your own risk!More clearly explained: I'm saying that program JV16 PowerTools has a built-in feature that will remove all current hardware settings from a system, which will cause Windows to re-detect them. The warning "use at your own risk" was because I noticed when I had used it on my Win98 system (just as a test mind you) that it really created a mess, e.g.; more problems versus just formatting.
I see what you mean now, thanks for telling me.
The BIOS settings are in your system boot menu, e.g.; on some systems you press the F2 or F12 key when you see the Windows logo before the system starts, then you enter the BIOS settings to make sure all drives are detected in the BIOS and enabled via the BIOS.
I'll give that a check soon.
Went to the Boot Menu, (same as BIOS? -there were only two things to select from, and that one seemed like the right one), all my drives were there and displayed correctly, the only thing I've got left is to unplug and replug the drive I think.
I'm starting to think the disappearing drive issue may actually be a problem in Windows or some commonly installed software that many people are using, and not completely related to the Sony Rootkit. The reason I'm thinking this way is because my first OEM install of WinXP had no detected malware, didn't have the Sony Rootkit, etc., and my floppy drive just vanished one day, and my ERUNT backup and System Restore backup from the day before didn't fix the problem.
foot + force + computer= fix
I dunno. It seems like coincidence I do this; http://forum.ccleaner.com/index.php?showtopic=3561 and this problem seems (the problem may have been there before I fixed this problem) to arise. I'll re-plug soon, but I gotta do ALL my drives.
Did the re-plug thingy, nothing happened, taking it into a workshop...
I figured no amount of "tinkering" would work.
Once your system is fixed and running properly I'd highly recommend that you make a whole system backup, you can use the built-in Microsoft Backup utility to do such a full backup. Use it by running: Start > Run > "%SystemRoot%\system32\ntbackup.exe"
I figured no amount of "tinkering" would work.
Once your system is fixed and running properly I'd highly recommend that you make a whole system backup, you can use the built-in Microsoft Backup utility to do such a full backup. Use it by running: Start > Run > "%SystemRoot%\system32\ntbackup.exe"
OK..here it is. Somewhere along the way someone suggested a fix in the registry. I have been on this all day. I went to the Dell Website support forum. I finally got it. I deleted the upper key and lower keys in the HLKM..etc. The drives are up and running.
I had checked in my device manager for the drives and had a CODE 41..this other guy had a CODE 39...same fix. We are both happy.
Just thought I would pass along..not sure why this happened?? I did however delete some other subkey under the HLKM\current\controlset\control\class....etc. not sure what problem may arise from that????
I figured no amount of "tinkering" would work.
Once your system is fixed and running properly I'd highly recommend that you make a whole system backup, you can use the built-in Microsoft Backup utility to do such a full backup. Use it by running: Start > Run > "%SystemRoot%\system32\ntbackup.exe"
I assume I do it without the " marks, so just that; %SystemRoot%\system32\ntbackup.exe
If I do that, and if I ever needed to, how would I restore it?
If I do that, and if I ever needed to, how would I restore it?
Well if you had to reinstall Windows you'd do just that, reinstall it, and once Windows loaded you'd just double click the backup file since it's a registered file type for Microsoft Backup it will automatically open. You then restore your system. I'd recommend if you place the backup on dvd that you first copy it to your hard disk.