My Dell laptop which is 4 months past it's warranty period will not recognize CD's or DVD's anymore. The device is recognized in Bios and Control panel and the lights work and it will even eject the CD. I have installed and reinstalled and checked for firmware updates but nothing. I pulled the unit out however to reseat and there was a loose tiny screw rattling in the drive. I took the screw out and still nothing. Should I just purchase a new unit or do you have anysuggestions? Thank You Linda

It is likely that either the loose screw that shouldn't have been loose has shorted or otherwise damaged something, and/or the drive has failed for the usual reason optical drives do after you have used them a lot - the motor can no longer spin fast enough for even 1X speed or it has seized - doesn't spin at all - because of wear to it's bearings producing too much fricton (in the latter case, Windows will definately not recognize a CD or DVD is in the drive). Purchase a new unit. You don't necessarily have to get it from Dell and pay their inflated price. There are compatible units that cost less available on the web - e.g. search for laptop parts using the model number of your laptop - if there is a Dell part number on the unit, or a part or model number of whichever manufacturer actually made it, you could also search using that.

Linda, Contact Dell again and be persistant. If your laptop is only 4 months over they should honor the warranty. I've done that quite a few times with different companies. It is worth a shot. Some HELP in posting on Cnet plus free progs and instructions Glad to Help!

Sure, she could try that, but the warranty on an optical drive is never more than a year these days, regardless of whether she had more than a one year warranty or not, and the old one would have to show it not working wasn't caused by physical damage she could have done to it, accidently or not, if she has to return the old one in order to not have to pay for the new one.