dvd/cd drive gone!!!

[Grugz]

my Toshiba satellite pro has been playing silly buggers and has now lost its "e" drive that was the cd/dvd playing bit...it was just refusing to play anything or rip cds but now its vanished completely from "my computer"  any techy nerds out there wtf I can do? if owt!

[The Enigmatic Dr X]

Is that a laptop?

I think these things are a doddle to install. I've put one into a desktop, and I know nothing - it was a case of sliding it in and inserting a couple of cables.

It may be that getting a spare is your issue, as many machines don't use them now!

[Grugz]

yep its a laptop the drives built in..it has appeared again but still wont work.

[TordelBack]

If you've already gone through the rigmarole of uninstalling/reinstalling drivers, it doesn't sound good, Grugz, but it could just a loose connector. 

As Dr X says they're usually a doddle to replace - there'll be a YouTube tutorial out there (e.g. https://youtu.be/Z_ROnO1uOtM) and the Satellite Pro is so ubiquitous secondhand spares should be had easily.  If your machine is relatively old I may even have one in my parts drawer.

[Theblazeuk]

Getting access to your laptops innards can be a bit of a trial. Flimsy plastic and a tendency to snap rather than bend....

Worse comes to worst get an external DVD drive. New macs/lappys etc all seem to lack a DVD drive so they are becoming more prevalent. Just make sure to get one that is USB powered. Of course it's way less convenient.