HL-DT-ST GSA-4084N not found by software

I have an HP DV5215US laptop with a HL-DT-ST Lightscripe DVD burner. I have had no problems with it in the past.

When I went to use it recently, both Nero and Cheetah software says there are no DVD burn hardware found, although both control panel and My computer shows the device there and "operating properly". I can read and play both CD and DVD's but unable to burn anything.

Deleted both Nero and Cheetah software, then ran Microsoft's Fix It to clear the upper and lower filters. It said the settings already matched so no changes were made. Reinstalled Cheetah for a quick test and it said no DVD burner hardware was installed.

Have a USB external Lightscribe burner which functions fine with pre-written programs on it but like the internal drive, the burn software says there is no hardware found.

Any help appreciated

 

You didn't mention which version of Windows you're using, but I would check the drive properties and make sure that recording is enabled. Windows XP has an option where this can be turned on or off, and I'm sure Vista has it too. If you can't locate the setting (in XP, right click the drive in My Computer, select Properties, click the Recording tab), then any one of the many Windows "tweak" tools will have it as an option, and it's probably available in the security/group policy settings, and as a registry setting. I'm sure you tried this, but go to the Device Manager, right click the drive and select 'Uninstall' and then reboot the PC. Lastly, you can try flash the firmware, but I assume no responsibility for the end result of a firmware flash. If it goes wrong, I'm sorry, but the risk is yours. You can look for a firmware upgrade at the drive maker's site or ask HP tech support (I checked the HP web site and saw no firmware updates listed for your laptop model). I found a 3rd party site that has a firmware available for your drive. It's a custom firmware that was created to remove region settings for DVD playback, and it's built on the KQ09 firmware. So check the current firmware version before trying the upgrade. If you have a newer one, it won't work (I think). You can use this free program called DiscInfo to find out your current firmware version. If it's older than KQ09, you can download the modified KQ09 version from this link (it will be right at the top of the page). If none of this helps, you can try physically removing the DVD drive from the PC, boot up once or twice w/o the DVD plugged in, then power down and plug it in again and see if this helps, but it probably won't. It could be that the drive has simply burned its last disc. From what I know about CD/DVD burners, they use a different laser for burning than for reading, so it could be that this 2nd laser has crapped out.... on the other hand, you can buy a used replacement DVDRW on eBay for under $30 or $40....

Good luck!!!!