"Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)"

I encountered this problem in my old desktop today and remembered some other members having the same problem,

So I'm thinking it might be useful to put up the solution here.

Here's the solution:
Fixing Code 39 Error

If your CD-ROM drive is not visible in My Computer, you may see the following error message displayed with the CD or DVD drive item in your Device Manager. (Steps to open Device Manager are discussed later in the article.)

"Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)"

Using Device Manager

To fix this error, first try to update the driver from the Device Manager. To open Device Manager, right-click My Computer on your Desktop, and then on the Hardware tab, select the Device Manager button.

In the Device Manager window, identify the CD or DVD drive item (with Yellow exclamation mark), right-click on it and select Update Driver. Follow the screen instructions to update the device driver and restart your PC.

Using Registry Editor

If updating the driver does not resolve the problem, it indicates that there is a problem in the registry. To fix this problem, you may have to remove a few keys from the registry.

Note: Be careful while working with the registry editor because changes done to the registry using the Registry Editor are irreversible and mistakes can leave you with more problems than when you started. Therefore, it is recommended that you make a backup of the registry before proceeding with the changes.

After you have removed the registry keys listed below, you will have to reinstall all applications that you use for CD or DVD recording to make them work properly.

To fix the error by editing the registry, perform the following steps:

  1. Exit and close all applications currently running on your PC.
  2. On Start > Run type Regedit and press the Enter key.
  3. Next, navigate to the following registry key:
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\ Control\Class\ {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
  4. Delete any of the following registry entries if they exist under this key:
          * LowerFilters
          * LowerFilters.bak
          * UpperFilters
          * UpperFilters.bak
  5. Restart your PC and open My Computer to ensure that the CD-ROM drive is visible.
  6. Also, open the Device Manager again to ensure that the yellow exclamation mark and the error code is now gone.
  7. Restart your PC and open My Computer to ensure that the CD-ROM drive is visible.
  8. Also, open the Device Manager again to ensure that the yellow exclamation mark and the error code is now gone.

Source :
http://www.pchell.com/hardware/cd_drive_error_code_39.shtml
http://www.instant-registry-fixes.org/how-...-code-39-error/