My disk drive in my computer tower won't read anything! HELP?

Question

When I insert a cd into my disk drive, it doesn't read it. It does nothing.

It's obvious it's broken, but I'm wondering if theres anything I can do to fix it, or if I just have to replace it all together?

It won't read installation disks or cd's. Nothing.

Help me! Thanks.

Answer 1

how old is it? does the computer still recognize the drive? i've heard that the (reading) laser can eventually burn out, which means replacing the drive

"Did you're...machine come with some sort of a recovery CD or a Windows install CD? Recovery CDs and Windows install CDs are bootable CDs. Put the bootable CD in your drive and reboot. If, during the boot process, your computer recognizes the CD, then your drive is able to read (then cancel the process). If, during the boot process, your computer can't recognize the CD, then you know your drive has a problem. You see, a bootable CD is just a way to see if your drive is able to read a disc during the boot process before Windows even starts up. By testing the drive before Windows starts up, it lets you see if the problem is with Windows or with the drive.

Answer 2

I know this might be a crazy question since it doesn't read at all in Windows, but 2 things:

1.  Does it detect on boot up?

2.  If you put in the Install Disks and choose to boot off of the CD Rom drive first does it boot off the disks or just load Windows Normally?

I ask because I want to make sure it isn't just a driver issue.

If it detects on Boot Up and in the Device Manger in Windows, but does not read (in the above situation) then the drive has failed and you will want to replace it.

You can buy a new one (including one that will burn DVD's) for around $30.

Answer 3

Have you tried going to "My computer" and clicking of the drive to see if it will run from there? If it does then "Auto Run has been turned off. If it doesn't then the drive is probably dead and needs replaced. They can't be fixed ,but they are not expensive.  

Answer 4

Don't bother trying to fix it.

Purchase a new one. A new DVD-ROM drive will run you $10 at your local Walmart, and they're easy as h**l to install.

You'll kick yourself for not doing it sooner. Trust me.