220-1002 · Question #722
A user ran updates on a Windows computer recently. Since then, the external CD drive no longer reads discs. The user has connected the external drive to another computer that has not been updated…
The correct answer is C. Roll back the drivers. Because the CD drive works on a non-updated machine, the Windows update changed a driver that broke compatibility, and rolling back that driver restores previous functionality.
Question
A user ran updates on a Windows computer recently. Since then, the external CD drive no longer reads discs. The user has connected the external drive to another computer that has not been updated and then successfully ran the discs. Which of the following should the user do to fix the issue?
Options
- AUpgrade the drive.
- BReplace the discs.
- CRoll back the drivers.
- DReinstall the firmware.
How the community answered
(23 responses)- A13% (3)
- B4% (1)
- C78% (18)
- D4% (1)
Why each option
Because the CD drive works on a non-updated machine, the Windows update changed a driver that broke compatibility, and rolling back that driver restores previous functionality.
Upgrading the drive is unnecessary because the hardware itself is confirmed functional when connected to a machine that has not received the update.
Replacing the discs is not relevant because the discs play successfully on the other computer, ruling out media as the cause.
Windows Update sometimes installs new or updated device drivers that can introduce compatibility regressions with existing hardware. Rolling back the driver in Device Manager reverts to the previously installed driver version, which is confirmed to work since the drive functions correctly on the unupdated computer. This is the least invasive and most targeted fix for a post-update device failure.
Reinstalling firmware updates the drive's internal software, but firmware resides on the drive itself and is unaffected by a Windows OS update on the host computer.
Concept tested: Driver rollback after Windows Update causes device failure
Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to-roll-back-a-driver-in-windows-4374b408-6dbc-f009-8a4c-9b8a5571c23f
Topics
Community Discussion
No community discussion yet for this question.