Help! Windows 7 Explorer partially unable to "see" SuperDrive?

[timidhermit]

I have Windows 7 64-bit Ultimate installed as BootCamp on a MacBook Air 2011 model with a SuperDrive attached to it.

The odd problem I am experiencing is that in Windows Explorer, the SuperDrive -- when empty -- does not show up under "Computer" in the left pane of Explorer. It, however, shows up as a "Device with Removable Storage" in the right pane of Explorer. When the SuperDrive has a disc in it, it behaves normally. Ejecting the disc makes the SuperDrive disappear from the left pane again.

Why is this? Why is the drive showing in only one side of the pane but not the other side?

 

[valvehead]

In Windows Explorer, go to Tools > Folder options (if your menu bar is hidden then hit Alt to make it appear).

In the window that appears click on the View tab and uncheck "Hide empty drives in Computer folder."