I'd seriously suggest she beg/borrow a screwdriver to open the case. It
could be the data cable came loose.
Have her boot into safe mode (or use MSCONFIG, select Diagnostic
Startup and have her restart the system) and see if she can get the
drive to read a music or software CD. She doesn't have
Hold fast I have seen this before.
Ask one pertinent question.
HAVE YOU INSTALLED ANY PROGRAM OR SOFTWARE LATELY!
There are a few programs out there that will block recognition and
installation of the drivers for optical drives.
If that is not the case it is possible the cable came loose on
Thanks for the speedy reply. I've emailed daughter to ask about her
installing any new programs.
Is it possible that a program can cause a problem with the optical drive
on one computer but not on another?
The last program installed on daughter's computer that Dad paid for is
Adobe
Adobe wont cause this.
Some free utilities can. If they are loading some sort of driver
that either emulates or replaces the Optical driver.
Also some universities load their own programs in order for students
to get onto the net.
It can also happen if it is failing as it is trying to
Don't waste a lot of time agonizing over it. If there's nobody there
to try installing a new one (or maybe if it's a laptop; you didn't
say), then just ship her an external burner.
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=420name=External-CD-DVD-Drives
