XPS 8940, lost a file for the dvd player

Where have you looked? File Manager, Device Manager?

I'd think Device Manager would see it with a yellow ! on it? If so, just double click on it and then install the driver.

Not showing, then under ACTION on the menu on top use Scan for Hardware changes and then do the above.

However on my 8940 that driver is MS's:

You can also search the web for CDROM.SYS file if the above fails.

@ispalten​ thks a lot for your help. i did it but the answer is best driver allready installed.

seems that the problem is not comming from the pilot but from another missing file (sonic ?)

this is what i get in the first tep :

@rouk​ 

Does the CD/DVD work? If you put one in, can you see it and the files in Windows File Manager?

Could also be a Program that might need to be re-installed?

Not sure what you meant by 'pilot' (you trying to use it?), or 'sonic' (the program you are trying to use?)?

I did not add any pilot, but the problem is that one existing file has been erased (ccleaner ?)

i guess i have to reinstall the drive, but i dont know where to get the install files

@rouk​

I did not add any pilot, but the problem is that one existing file has been erased (ccleaner ?)

i guess i have to reinstall the drive, but i dont know where to get the install files

CCleaner should have saved the deletions... check that and see if you can figure out the missing one or RESTORE all and see if that fixes it.

Again, what is 'pilot'? What program are you trying to use the drive with? That might need a re-install?

Can you see the drive contents with Windows File Viewer?

I think i just need to re-install the CD/DVD drive. but i dont know where to find it and i dont have any answer from Dell support.

i dont see the drive in windows file manager

i use Itune and windows media

@rouk​

this is what i get in the first tep :

Did you do a RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON on that drive you highlighted and do the UPDATE DRIVER? That is when it said it was already installed?

I guess the NEXT step is to try a few things, like DISABLE and ENABLE the drive? Might force load the driver?

Another thing to try if that doesn't fix it is to UNINSTALL it, then reboot and see if the XPS re-installs it? Test to see if it works. If not, open Device Manager and see if the DVD drive is in the list. If not, SCAN for new h/w under actions. Doesn't show, suspect the drive IS bad?

If bad, Dell support should be able to fix it for you?

Also, you could boot to the Dell Test of the h/w using F12 when the Dell Logo appears on the screen during boot. See if that reports an error?

Some Dell articles on this:

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000134006/optical-disk-drive-is-not-recognized-in-microsoft-windows-or-other-applications

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000126039/troubleshooting-cd-dvd-or-blu-ray-drive-problems

Here is a Dell Forum for Optiplex with the same problem it seems, https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/optiplex-desktops/dvd-device-driver-wont-load-after-windows-11-upgrade/671512e28e26d34d20314448 and how it was solved.

I also found this page here, but not sure if this will help, https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/inspiron-desktops/plds-dvd-rw-du-8a5lh-not-read-need-firmware-but-cant-find-it/647f82eef4ccf8a8de1b5718 as it is a FIRMWARE update, not a driver.

Again, the Driver IS part of Windows, not a Dell 'product'.

When you double click on the above drive, on the window that opens, what IS in the Device Status Window?

As you can see, I have the SAME drive model, just from a different manufacturer. Windows installs it as part of the Windows Install... not knowing what your DEVICE STATUS is from the first page you open when clicking on the above highlighted makes it had to figure out why?

You could TRY the last three files in this list, https://www.driveridentifier.com/scan/plds-dvd-rw-du-8a5lh-ata-device/download/133507477/518AC3B99442406784A50773FED36960/GenCdRom as the file data is correct. Might work, might not... but you are not working now, so worth a try I'd guess?

Also a possibility your drive has failed I guess, especially if the driver did NOT load?

i tried all possibilities offered by microsoft and dell : no way

if i dont get a cd install file, i go to Apple   :-)

Thks all

As you wish, but I'm sort of leaning towards an MS Update fail which damaged the driver or the drive itself has failed.

Again, the information on the Device Status would shed light possibly on why it failed? Even uninstalling the driver and reinstalling it might help here.

Manually set a system restore point to be safe.

Assuming the DVD drive is still listed in Device Manager, right-click and Uninstall it.  Be sure to accept the option to delete its software at same time. 

Then click Action>Scan for hardware changes.  Assuming the DVD reappears in Device Manager, exit DM, reboot PC and see if drive works now...

Just done it again. same situation

DVD drive is seen in the bios only