My CD-RW and DVD-R drives are not being detected by windows, it WANTS drivers?? It started acting this way friday, neither system restore nor uninstalling the devices and restarting the computer seem to help, any ideas?Has anyone been monkeying inside the case? Are you the only one with access to the machine? Most importantly do the drives show up in the BIOS (which you get to before the Windows logo screen)? Any unusual events lately? Can you share any model numbers with us? Are both drives connected to the same cable?I don't know the model numbers, it's my home computer,so only I USE it, The cables are connected properly, and they're on one cable. I don't think dell has a traditional "BIOS" menu, do they, if so, I don't know how to get to it.F2 at boot will get you to setup, which is as close as you can get on a Dell. Are the drives both SEEN there? They should be set to "AUTO" and may even name them.

What was the exact error message you got, or how did you become aware of the problem?

What is the model number or service tag? (You can see it after pressing F2 on  screen OR it may be on the outside of the case.) Some models have lights on the motherboard if there are problems. At this point we just have to guess, but post  back with some info.  It says they're there in the setup menu, if you want my product key it's:
EDIT: Windows Product key removed by Fed.Because I can & it seemed like the right THING to do.No, we do not need or ask for product keys. Good job, Fed! The service tag is what we need - it's 6-7 letters and numbers, again on the case itself, or in the screen you get to when you press F2.