Vista - DVD Drives go missing Vista64 sp2

Hey guys looking for some solutions.
I have been plagued with this problem on my Desktop, wherein the DVD drives go missing at random time intervals.

System specs:
I have a Intel D975xbx2 motherboard
OS Windows vistax64 SP2
Two SATA hard-drives, not in RAID array (A WD and a Seagate)
Two PATA (IDE) DVD Drives

Master: SONY_DVD_RW_AW-G170A_1.62_
Slave: SONY_DVD-ROM_DDU1632_BS25_

This problem, I think started after some update after SP1

Steps and Solutions I have taken or Tried.
1> Checked the BIOS, both drives are shown (Tried the NATIVE and LEGACY settings)
2> Checked the cables and power supply ( Have put in a new PATA IDE cable for good measure)
3> Updated to SP2 thinking it would have a fix!
Searched Google and tried these Solutions
4> Uninstalled 3rd party Dvd writing software, which i had installed after discovering this problem. (Never had installed iTunes, roxio or zune software)
5> Checked registry values at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
There were no Upper or lower Filters entries.
6> Tried the Auto Fix at "http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060" this doesn't work as it says Computer settings already match.
7> Then tried the auto Fix it at "http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cd_dvd_drive_problems" now this will sometimes find the DVD RW, but after some time the drive disappears again!
8> Even tried the BCDEDIT "bcdedit /set loadoptions DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS "

Temporary fixes:
1> Putting Vista to sleep, after waking up both drives are displayed, accessed and work fine (Restarting and/or Shutdown start up doesn't work)
2> Deleting all entries within IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers in the Device Manager then restarting

Other Curious situations:
1> There is a error in the device manager wherein there is a Serial ATA controller with an exclamation mark See here.
2> cant install Intel Matrix Storage Manager where it says; This computer doesn't meet the minimum requirements

Why it isnt a hardware problem;
1> work perfect in XPx32
2> When found by doing temp fixes works proper, also used to work before it started disappearing!

Any help will be appreciated
after searching am at my wits end, also seems this problem is there through all MS OS's form ME,XP, Vista, and 7

Dont want to upgrade to Windows 7; Just as i updated to SP2 thinking MS would have solved the problem also people seem to have this problem in 7 too.
Atleast wont upgrade to 7 till I am sure it there is a fix or this wont happen in Windows 7

Thanks in advance,
- Puneet Rane

Any Questions, thought or ideas ?

1.Make sure the service Shell Hardware Detection is started and set to AUTO
2.Navigate to key HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Cdrom and check you have phrase Autorun =1,if is 0 fix it + restart
3.Update driver for DVD
4.If everything fail download FrogAspi Frog Aspi - the FREE wnaspi32.dll replacement
(make sure the module is already renamed to wnaspi32.dll -if not rename it)

if you have x64 system place wnaspi32.dll in C:\Windows\SYSWOW64 again uninstall DVD driver + restart

if you have x32 system place wnaspi32.dll in C:\Windows\System32 again uninstall DVD driver + restart

5.If stiill nothing help unistall program for CD virtualization like Alcohol 120,Deamon and likely and all programs for burning DVD
6.You can also try uninstall IDE controlers in device manager -system reinstall it after restart.
7.Updating drivers for chipset and update BIOS also maybe helpful

Shell Hardware Detection is set to AUTO

Yes it is set to Autorun =1

Vistax64 says these are up-to-date

I have vista 64 bit, i what to know more about this dll before i make changes, can it be trusted ? will be written over in the next update? will it compromise my system in ant way or form ?

have none installed!
This is the temporary fix i was talking about.

As i have mentioned before cant install Intel Matrix Storage Manager!, will look into the BIOS updates


This interesting this is that the drives disappear while the windows session is on(no restarts, shutdowns or sleepmode)
Also the The (DVD/CD rom Drives)section in device manager also disappears

wnaspi32.dll is not any system file -default Vista don't have this file and can I sure it won't be any problem with updates in the future.I had also similar problem like you have now and this library helped me.Try this.In the link Frog Aspi - the FREE wnaspi32.dll replacement
you have more details about ASPI

PS.Then your disappear probably you have in device manager error 22 "Device is disabled"

Firstly, Sorry for the delayed response, was out of town.
was surprised to see the drives visible and working, when I switch on the comp
haven't done anything(nor have I placed the Frog Aspi - the FREE wnaspi32.dll replacement)
Only thing that comes to mind is I still haven't connected the USB external WD HDD that i took with me on the trip, which used to be always plugged in to the comp

Is it the USB HDD that's creating the problem or am i just going crazy!