Hello, I work for Microsoft and am a Vista technician. The solution to this issue is quite simple: - Click on Pearl (aka start) - Type Device Manager in the Start Search field. - When Device Manager loads then go down to the DVD/CD-ROM drives selection - Right click on each drive in question then choose UNINSTALL - Reboot your PC or click on the little icon just below the help (when you put your mouse over it, it should say 'scan for hardware changes'. This SHOULD resolve your issue. Note: If you have any DVD Burning software installed or iTunes or any OLD CD burning software this will cause unwanted issues also and a CLEAN BOOT might be necessary. CLEAN BOOT - Click on Pearl - Type in Start Search "System Configuration" - Click on the SERVICES tab - Put a check mark into the 'Hide all Microsoft Service" - Click DISABLE ALL - Click APPLY - Click the tab that says STARTUP - Click DISABLE ALL - Click APPLY - Click OK - Click RESTART (if it prompts you) NOTE: This will turn off all 3rd party non-windows services and all startup applications IF there are no security programs blocking you from changing your startup environment. (Spysweeper will block you so it must be disabled before you do this) NOTE: Only do this as a troubleshooting method and ensure you go to the GENERAL tab and select the NORMAL startup option when you are done. ************* If this does not work remember that the CD or DVD ROM or RW is tied into your BIOS and it also has its own FIRMWARE. When you try to flash the BIOS using the Vista OS you will get an error message saying that you got the wrong model. Remember that the BIOS flash has nothing much to do with Vista directly as it is writing to the ROM of the device, thus if you were to either switch back to XP and try the BIOS Flash again or remove the drive and install it into another computer which has XP or 2000 installed then try the BIOS Flash again this might allow the installer to work proper and flash the BIOS properly. NOTE: If you do it wrong the drive will be dead and will be a nice paper weight. I hope this has been of assistance and I wish you all Good Luck.
