In reply to a post by flippery:

Or using cotton bud on lens, worked for me

That's easy with a laptop drive...

Have you tried updating the firmware. This page may be a bit slow to load.

In reply to a post by 4M2:

have you tried cleaning the drive's lens with a cleaning disc?

Yes, but as it won't recognise CDs at all it wouldn't play. Tho' I expect it spun a bit.

Will try cotton buds when I take it of bay.

Post deleted by XRaySpeX

Don't suppose you have a dvd lens cleaner which might work?

I reckon I'd be safest replacing like with like. So it looks like choice between:

• New, I think, Liteon from PCUpgrade.co.uk @ £34
• Used Liteon from eBay @ £10.50 +
• New Sony or HP from Amazon @ £25 - £27.50

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

Sony makes LiteOns. does it?

Look like I better do the same.

Oops sorry got it wrong Sony-Optiaric. The drives are Badged externally as Sony but using the SysInfo Nero tool they are noted as Optiaric. Sorry got mixed up.

Or http://www.scan.co.uk/products/optiarc-(sony-nec)-ad... - good return policy if needed

My experience says that these drives can just fail as you describe. (next step is replacement).

I now run with all my computers having external USB drives which are only powered up when needed and never left with a disc in - (they then last much longer).

Your thread spurred me into replacing my SATA DVD drive because of it's dodgy tray button - got a cheap and cheerful LG from Amazon, fitted it this evening and it seems OK

Will try and fix the old SATA Sony Optiarc at some point - may just need pulling apart and clearing any dust out...