hardware DVD Rom problems

[Ezorial]

I haven't tried running a CD in about a month or so, but today I tried it with two different CDs and neither of them worked.
The little LED on the DVDrom flickered a bit, as it should, but there was no whirring noise as though the CD wasnt turning at all, and it didnt stat autoplay or appear in My Computer.

In Device Manager, it says I have:
E -IDE DVD-ROM DVD-8212
Proporties:
General:
Device type: CDROM
Manufacturer: (Standard CD-ROM device)
Hardware Version: Not Available

Device Status: This device is working properly.

Driver:
Provider: Microsoft
Date: 4-23-1999
No driver files are required or have been loaded for this device. To update the driver files for this device, click Update Driver.



Whats the best thing to do to get it working properly? I havent really tried anything yes as I dont really have much of a clue about hardware. All I've tried was the simple restart computer and hope it works, but it hasnt.

[rkyranc]

First, to avoid opening the box, uninstall the drive, reboot, and reinstall the drive (if possible). If you cannot complete the reinstallation, it seems likely that during the off-time one or more of the connectors on the back of the DVD have slightly corroded with resultant resistant path. If that is the case, then open the box and reseat the connectors on the drive and also the one on the motherboard (I pesume another IDE connector).

[VHockey86]

A laser head going bad (or being really dirty) will also cause this problem. Unfortunately with those symptoms its unlikely to be a software issue... and I highly doubt thers going to be significant corrosion on the IDE connector that would cause a bad connection