Disappearing DVD on my Apple Intel PC (iMac 17") with Vista installed as sole OS

I have a problem with Vista RC1 Build 5728 I hope someone will be
able to help me out with.

Here are my machine specs:
Apple Intel iMac 17", with ATI Mobility X1600, w/128meg dedicated
video RAM
1.83GHZ Intel Duo-Core CPU
2GB RAM (two 1-GB sticks)
300GB Maxtor SATA-2 HD. (the largest HD sold with an Intel iMac is
250GB).
Matshita DVD-R UJ846 (Dual-Layer 16x DVD/CD writer)
Microsoft wireless Keyboard and Mouse set.

Driver information:

The HD works well, and faster than the original Apple drive (also
Maxtor). It does run a little hotter, however, and the drive fan
usually runs constantly. This is not so under XP, however. The drive
runs much cooler under XP.

I am using the Macintosh Drivers for Windows XP, mostly.

I downloaded the ATI RC1 Vista driver for Mobility X1600 and installed
it, but had to roll back to the Vista-supplied ATI driver when I
encountered OS instability. The Microsoft-supplied driver works fine.

I am using the Apple-supplied SigmaTel Audio Codec for XP. This works
well and gives good, rich sound, but will only use two rear speakers
(this is strange, because under XP, it only uses the two FRONT
speakers) -- or the two built in speakers of the System Unit.

My major problem (and the one which I am writing about) is this: The
Matshita DVD/CD writer disappears from Computer (and Windows Explorer,
as well as from all Applications' file menus) from time to time. The
only way to get it back when it disappears is to do a repair of Vista.
When it disappears, Device Manager says that the driver is there, but
cannot start. I assume that the driver is becoming corrupted by
something. Even deleting the driver, then restarting Vista does not
restore it to working condition. Device Manager just shows that it is
there, but cannot start (Error code 10).

I know nothing is wrong with the drive itself, since it works just
fine in XP or OS X. The driver must be at fault. Either Vista's
driver is not fully compatible with the drive, or something is
corrupting the driver.

I would really appreciate help here, as I LOVE Vista, especially Build
5728, and would like to be able to get on with testing RC1. On my
Apple Intel iMac it runs FAST and STABLE. But a constantly
disappearing DVD/CD writer makes this extremely difficult.

I tried looking for an updated driver from Matshita, but have no idea
where to look. Entering "http"//www.matshita.com" as an URL brings me
to a search page, but not a manufacturer's website.

HELP!!!


Donald L McDaniel
Please reply to the same thread and newsgroup.
==================================================

http://www.backupcritic.com/faq/mats...m-drivers.html

Whether this will help you or not, I have no idea--but at least you will
know who really makes your drive.


--
Maxwell Bluemeanie


Donald L McDaniel wrote:
> I tried looking for an updated driver from Matshita, but have no idea
> where to look. Entering "http"//www.matshita.com" as an URL brings me
> to a search page, but not a manufacturer's website.