my cd ROM is gone this it what it says Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. (Code 19)

reinstall the driver... or use a system restore to a point to when it was working

Here's your answer. Ignore the part about Easy CD Creator, it happens with all burning software. CD-ROM Access Is Missing and Messages Cite Error Code 31, Code 32, Code 19, or Code 39 After You Remove Easy CD Creator in Windows XP The information in this article applies to: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Microsoft Windows XP Professional This article was previously published under Q314060 IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 256986 <http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;256986> Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry For a Microsoft Windows 2000 version of this article, see 270008 <http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;270008>. SYMPTOMS After you remove either compact disc (CD) recording software or other software from your computer, your computer may exhibit the following behavior: In My Computer, there is no access to your CD-ROMs. In Device Manager, the following error message appears in connection with any CD-ROM device that is part of your computer system: The device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device (Code 31). Device Manager displays the following error message: A driver for this device was not required, and has been disabled (Code 32 or Code 31). You may also receive an error Code 39 message that indicates that the driver is corrupted. Device Manager displays the following error Code 19 message, which means that the registry returned some unknown result: Your registry might be corrupted. (Code 19) You may also receive the following error message: Windows successfully loaded the device driver for this hardware but cannot find the hardware device. (Code 41) RESOLUTION WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. To resolve this behavior, follow these steps: Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe). Locate the UpperFilters value under the following key in the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click OK. Locate the LowerFilters value under the same key in the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click OK. Quit Registry Editor.NOTE: After you remove the Upperfilters value and the Lowerfilters value, if you notice lost functionality in a particular program, such as CD recording software, you may need to reinstall that software. If the problem recurs, consult with the software vendor for assistance. Restart your computer. STATUS This is a known issue that can occur when you remove Easy CD Creator version 5.01 or earlier or DirectCD version 3.01c or earlier. This issue may also occur with Easy CD Creator version 5.01 and with DirectCD 3.01d or later. MORE INFORMATION There may be other third-party CD-writing software products that exhibit similar behavior. Some or all of the troubleshooting steps in this article might apply if such a product also adds entries under the UpperFilters or LowerFilters value in the registry, either by adding its own filter drivers or by removing the registry keys and values outlined in this article that begin with: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} WARNING: Make sure that you perform a backup of your registry before making any changes. The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Kurt's post is excellent, but if you find it a bit overwhelming with the technical details, here's the main points: You have to edit the Registry manually in order to remove some values which are automatically created during the installation process of some CD burning software, and they are left behind even after installing a patch or uninstalling the program. Those values prevent Windows from showing and giving you access to CD or DVD drives. This is how the problem might be fixed: Go to Start/Run, type regedit and press Enter. In the left panel find the registry keys and subkeys indicated below, click on the [+] signs next to each to expand them downwards and visualize them. When you see the long number/letter combination sub-keys shown below, click ON them, not on their [+] sign. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Class\ {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Control\Class\ {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\ {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} Then you will see different values on the right pane. That's where you should look for and remove the ones called UpperFilter(s) and LowerFilter(s). Just click on those words one at a time, and press Delete to remove them. You'll have to do this for each of the three sets of keys and sub-keys shown above. NOTE: You may only have either the UpperFilter(s) or the LowerFilter(s) values on the right pane. If so, remove the one(s) you have. When you're done, close the Registry Editor window and reboot. Hopefully, you should see your CD drives again. Good luck, Juan