Click Start,type 'System' in the search box. When System Information
comes up, double click on it. Click on the + in front of Components,
locate either CD-ROM or DVD then in the right window pane check to be
sure it is the right device if you have optical devices, then at the
bottom locate the name and location of it's driver.

Now go to the folder the driver Vista said the driver is located in,
right click on the file, properties, rename... simply put a X in front
of the name.

This should prevent Windows from finding the old corrupted version at
boot. Now reboot and it should bring up the found new hardware box and
it should ask you to insert the CD with the driver for your device.

Ring Acer, as it is under warranty. With Acer, you won't have the CD to
install just the DVD driver. It will be a complete reinstall, not a partial
install.
One of the quirks of Acer computers.

Try this below. Check you Upper and Lower filters. Applies to Vista also
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3BEN-US%3B320553

Hi,
I had the same problem, tried the upper and lower filter... it helped,
but unfortunately I deleted the filters, not only the values... did I
something wrong? does it matter? should I correct something? The DVD
driver works now...

Thanks in advance

Wallace and Peter for posting the problem and the fix.  Peter the link
no longer works but I was able to search and find this.  Now my DVD
works again.  I had up graded to vista on my Acer 5100 and was suprised
when it no longer worked.
Hope this helps others like it did me.

Thanks again,

RESOLUTION
Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry
incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These
problems might require that you reinstall the operating system.
Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify
the registry at your own risk.

To resolve this problem, remove the affected filter drivers. To do
this, follow these steps:1. Click Start, type regedit in the Start
Search box, and then click regedit in the Programs list.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation,
type your password, or click Continue.  
2. Locate, and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
Caution There can be many instances of the registry subkey that is
mentioned in step 2. You must make sure that you are in the appropriate
registry subkey before modifying the UpperFilters and the LowerFilters
values. To verify that you are in the appropriate registry subkey, make
sure that the Default data value is DVD/CD-ROM and the Class data value
is CDROM.
3. In the right pane, right-click UpperFilters, and then click Delete.

4. Click Yes to confirm the removal of the UpperFilters registry entry.

5. In the right pane, right-click LowerFilters, and then click Delete.

6. Click Yes to confirm the removal of the LowerFilters registry entry.

7. Exit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.  
Note After you remove the UpperFilters registry entry and the
LowerFilters registry entry, you may lose functionality in certain
programs such as CD recording programs. In this scenario, you must
reinstall any affected programs. If the problem recurs, contact the
program vendor to determine whether an update is available for the
program.

For information about how to contact computer software vendors, click
the appropriate article number in the following list to view the
article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
65416 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/65416/) Hardware and software
vendor contact information, A-K

60781 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/60781/) Hardware and software
vendor contact information, L-P

60782 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/60782/) Hardware and software
vendor contact information, Q-Z
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When I rebooted the DVD worked. No need to restore my computer.

Thanks again Guys.

Don

Hi all, I just purchased a Toshiba Laptop, running Vista Premium, and
after a massive Windows update download, the DVD-CD drive didn't work.
Error message 39, corrupt or missing driver.  The driver isn't missing,
so it must be corrupt.  Have followed the above instructions regarding
upper and lower filters, except haen't actioned the removal yet, as
there doesn't appear to be an upper filter listed... only the lower
filter.  Also, the information states "you may lose functionality in
certain programs such as CD recording programs. In this scenario, you
must reinstall any affected programs."  which is a problem, as
everything was already loaded and no software came with the laptop.  I'm
a little chicken to go ahead and remove the lower filter registry entry,
seeing as there's no upper entry to delete.  What do you think I should
do???
Thanks in advance folks, Anniebird