Code 10 and 19 errors (Windows 8.1)

Factual Questions
1

At some point, my computer decided to delete my CD/DVD drive. The device is physically present in the computer, but it refuses to start. In device manager, I get the little yellow (!) triangle. Under properties, it says “Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. (Code 19)” I have searched on this error, but the results seemed to be mostly websites trying to sell me something.

I have tried uninstalling the driver and then reinstalling, but Code 19 comes up every time. I have a similar problem with the Bluetooth Audio Device. In Device Manager, I have the yellow triangle. Under properties, it says “This device cannot start. (Code 10) Object Path Component was not a directory object.”

I believe that all of this is related to an iTunes update. Whenever I update iTunes, it stops syncing with my phone. I applied a solution that I found at Apple somewhere and it fixed the syncing problem. But it caused other problems. My wife has an identical laptop and it had the same problem with iTunes and now has the same problem with the CD/DVD drive.

Any ideas on how to fix these issues?

Dell laptop running Windows 8.1. Windows Update is active and the OS is up to date.

2

My reaction would be to search for .inf files relevant to the CD drive, and rename them (so that you don’t automatically re-load the same drivers when you try to re-install).

However, this article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929461 indicates that media software (like iTunes) installs other CD software, which can break your CD drivers. Rather than follow the method suggested, I’d uninstall and re-install iTunes, but I don’t know how much trouble that will cause: iTunes also used to be a system that broke frequently.

3

For what it’s worth, according to this page at Microsoft, Win32 error 10 is ERROR_BAD_ENVIRONMENT and 19 is ERROR_WRITE_PROTECT.