Why does my computer say I have 3 DVD drives when I actually have 2?

Factual Questions
1

I have a DVD drive and a DVD-RAM, but when I go to My Computer a third DVD drive is displayed, it is kind of weird and has a different drive letter and all. When I rip CDs or do something else where the names of the drives are listed two of the drives have proper names and one is a “generic DVD ROM”. What is the explanation for this?

2

My computer does this, too, but it’s because i run a disk drive emulator called Daemon Tools.

Have you installed any similar software on your computer?

3

I have Daemon Tools, that could be it. But it shows up even when the program isn’t running. Now that I’ve installed Exact Audio Copy it wants to test the drive’s function by making me put a CD in the drive. How am I supposed to get around that?

4

Check your system tray.

I have Daemon Tools set to run automatically when i turn my computer on, and it is indicated by a little red lightning icon in the system tray. It is often hidden, and i have to click on the little left-facing arrows to reveal it.

5

No, I set it to not run on startup right after I installed it. It could be that the drive is displayed all the time even when it’s impossible to use it, though. So I guess this has turned into a question about EAC: what am I supposed to do when it asks to test the drive?

6

There are other programs that will install transparent virtual devices. Alcohol 120% is one that I can think of off the top of my head.

7

Daemon Tools loads a driver for the virtual drive, so they’ll continue to exist until that driver is uninstalled. You’ve three options:

  1. Open Daemon Tools and load up an iso so that the disc responds as having a disc.

  2. Open Daemon Tools and disable all of your virtual drives.

  3. Manually uninstall the virtual drive’s driver.

I suggest doing #2. Open Daemon Tools, right-click on the system tray icon, Virtual CD-Rom > Set Number of Drivers > Disable.

8

That works! Excellent! Thanks everyone :slight_smile: