Windows Registry Hacks/Hardware Tweaks

Fixing error messages edit

Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39) edit

CD-ROM Drive Related Issues edit

There is a bug in Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Windows Vista, that causes the operating system to ignore the presence of installed devices and drivers, following a reboot of the system. An error message occurs as follows following reboot:

Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)

When this error occurs, the CD-ROM drives do not show as available, so it will not be possible to use the drives, even though the CD-ROM drives may have been operating normally during the previous session.

Uninstalling the device does not fix this error edit

Uninstalling the drive using the device manager and rebooting the computer does not resolve this error.

Affected Systems edit

Microsoft Windows XP Microsoft Windows Vista

Resolution edit

In order to resolve this issue, it is necessary to edit the CD-ROM drive class registrykey, using the registryeditor, as follows:

   * HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
         o SYSTEM
               + CurrentControlSet
                     # Control
                           * Class
                                 o {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

Remove any of the following registry entries against the CD-ROM drive class registrykey:

   * UpperFilters
   * LowerFilters
   * UpperFilters.bak
   * LowerFilters.bak

It is now necessary to reboot the computer in order for the CD-ROM drives to be made visible.