Dvd Rw Drive Not Responding

[237SJ]

HP Pavilion - The DVD rewriter drive doesn't seem to be responding. I checked the driver and the diagnostics said that it is up to date. I was thinking of getting an external drive which I can connect via the USB sockets. Would that work? I`m presuming the laptop would find the device in the same way that it finds memory sticks etc

[fender62]

you could get another generic internal drive dvd drive, only difference is the plastic bit with the button on at the end, the plastic bit clips off, you can then clip it back on to a new drive.

[237SJ]

I dropped the laptop some time ago (enough to damage the camera lens) and although the problem was fixed, I am wondering if the DVD drive also suffered. It seems pointless paying someone to keep fixing the thing at quite a cost and I don't know what kind of damage was done (if any). I`m not sure I would want to try to replace the internal drive myself.

[Buenchico]

Easy bit first:
An external DVD writer is a 'plug & play' device. Just plug it into a USB port and you'll be ready to go. (The only problem with having an external DVD drive is that it's easy to forget where you've put it. I've spent several hours today unsuccessfully trying to find mine!)

With regard to the internal drive though, in what way isn't it responding? When you go to 'Computer' is it shown there? If so, when you put 'Carry On Up The Khyber' (or any other commercial DVD) into it, will it play? [I'm trying to eliminate the burning part of its job here].

[237SJ]

Thanks for the replies. Chris - I have tried a couple of DVDs and it just says that the drive is not responding. It's not going to work, that's for sure (the drive is showing in Computer)

[Buenchico]

Possibly worth a try though:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/314060/your-cd-or-dvd-drive-is-not-recognized-by-windows-or-other-programs

[237SJ]

It is recognized though - it's just not responding. I think I`ll just get an external one. I only really want it to copy CDs onto Itunes