it is most likely the sata controller's driver that needs to be re-installed/updated, at least that is what I would try first

harpo

Does it show up in device manager at all as a non functioning device, or problem device?

If it was,you could maybe update from internet, might find what it needs. If not, I could send you xppro, but you will have seven and eight soon. Just offering suggestions anyway, luck .I don't know if doing an upgrade with your xp would help, but I thought you said you had a sata dvd before, maybe it was just the harddrive.

I doubt that is the problem. The SATA controller is working just fine. If it wasn't my hard drive would not work. The DVD-RW drive is plugged into the same controller.

Neither. The DVD-RW drive does not show up at all even after a scan for new hardware. Funny thing is that the drive works fine under Linux so this has to be a Windows XP issue.

I was hoping the DVD-RW drive would work for a game that I want to play that only works under XP. Thanks anyhow.

look up mb drivers? with my old mb, win 7 didn't recognise a 2tb hdd (1 tb was ok) until i installed mb drivers from nvidia

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/13477579/Unhide_All_drives.reg  Try adding this reg key first, then reboot.

If that doesn't do it, try the second one. I have used these before to fix this problem on XP.

 Sorry it took me so long to remember where I put them.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/13477579/unhide.exe

How do I add a registry key?

simply double klicking the .reg file will do so.

All I get when I click on your first link is a new Windows in Firefox that shows me the reg keys. No download.

I just tried with iE and it gives me the save dialog. Try right clicking and save target as. I just tried that and it worked also.

 It is to my dropbox.

did you try....

right click my computer in the start menu

choose Manage

under Storage, choose Disk Management

find the drive in the list

right click and assign a drive letter

Kona, go to WC in IE, just long enough to use Wiz's links.

Yes, good idea. Also, while there, choose action, scan for new hardware at the top left.

OK I used IE to download the registry files. Installed and rebooted. Checked and the DVD-RW drive still is not showing. I also tried the second fix with no success.

Disk Management does not show the DVD-RW drive, even after a scan for new hardware.