Resolve Windows Error 39

In this article, we will discuss an instance of Windows error 39 that you may come across on a Windows XP computer and the steps to follow to resolve it.

Issue

You are unable to play a CD or DVD because the CD or DVD drive is missing or it is not recognized by Windows or other programs.

When you view the CD drive or DVD drive in the Device Manager, you may see an error code 39 message stating that the driver is corrupted.

Resolution Steps

The above issue occurs when two Windows registry entries become corrupt. To fix the Windows error 39, you need to delete the corrupted registry entries.

Note: The steps illustrated in this section require you to edit the registry. However, serious complications may develop if you incorrectly modify the registry. Therefore, perform these steps only if you are comfortable in working with the registry. Also, ensure that you follow these steps carefully. Further, always back up the registry before editing it. You can make registry backups manually or use a reliable registry cleaner tool, such as RegServe, for this purpose.

Also, to perform the steps shown below you need to be logged in as an administrator.

To delete the corrupted registry entries, perform the following steps:

  1. Click Start and then select Run.
  2. Next, type regedit and click the OK button.
  3. In the left-pane of the Registry Editor window, locate and click the following registry subkey –

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\Control \Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
  1. In the right-pane of the Registry Editor window, right-click UpperFilters and click Delete.
  2. Click Yes, if you are prompted to confirm the deletion of this registry value.
  3. Next, in the right-pane of the Registry Editor window, right-click LowerFilters, and click Delete.Note: In case you do not see the registry value LowerFilters in the right-pane then the steps given in this section will not work. Skip these steps and navigate to our “Need More Help” section to find information on how to resolve the error.
  1. When asked for confirmation, click Yes.
  2. Click File and then click Exit to close Registry Editor.
  3. Restart your computer.

If the drive is now listed but you are unable to play a CD or DVD, you may need to uninstall and reinstall programs, such as iTunes, Roxio, Zune, and Nero Software. Certain programs may be unable to use your CD or DVD drive until you reinstall these programs. If reinstalling these programs also does not work, then move on to our “Need More Help” section.

If the drive is still not listed, remove and reinstall drivers. To do this, perform the following steps:

  1. Right-click the My Computer icon on the desktop and then click Properties.
  2. Click the Hardware tab and then click the Device Manager button.
  3. Next, double-click DVD/CD-ROM drives.
  4. Now, right-click the CD and DVD devices and click Uninstall.
  5. Click OK, when asked to confirm removal.
  6. Restart your computer.

The drivers will be automatically installed on restart.

Now, try to play or access a CD or DVD. If you are unsuccessful, uninstall and reinstall programs, such as iTunes, Roxio, Zune, and Nero Software. If you are still not able to play or access a CD or DVD, see our “Need More Help” section.

Need More Help

In case the resolution steps discussed above fail to resolve the error, you may contact Microsoft Customer Support for more help on this issue.