Member Avatar for Leedm

Hi all!

Im new to computers and not very technical. So here goes:When i insert a Cd into the Cd tray of my laptop nothing happens??
When i try to burn a cd through Itunes it says the "Cd Burner or software is missing"?? But i have burned cd'd many times before so i cant understand why its not working?

Can anybody help???

Many Thanks.
Lee

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Quick follow-up: reports the drive is now working after following a Microsoft support article. For anyone else with a Dell Inspiron whose optical drive suddenly stops responding, the checklist below helps isolate whether the problem is hardware, the OS, or an application, and gives safe next steps.

  • Check BIOS/boot: press F2 at startup (Dell) and see if the optical drive is listed in System or Boot devices. If the BIOS does not see the drive, that points to hardware or a loose connector.
  • Run Dell diagnostics: use the F12 boot menu to run the built‑in hardware tests. A failed test usually means replacement is needed.
  • Verify Windows sees the device: open Device Manager and look under "DVD/CD-ROM drives" and "IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers" for errors or hidden/ghost devices. Right‑click to uninstall a problematic entry, then reboot to let Windows redetect it.
  • Isolate software conflicts: some virtual drive or third‑party burning tools can interfere with Windows burning. Temporarily disable or uninstall them and retest. Also confirm that the CD‑burning service (IMAPI) is present and not disabled.
  • Test media and lens: try several known‑good discs and a lens‑cleaning disc. Certain media types (very cheap blanks) can fail while commercial discs still read.
  • Boot outside Windows: boot from USB (Linux live USB or Windows PE) to see if the drive works outside Windows — this quickly separates OS issues from hardware faults.
  • Advanced/registry steps: only attempt registry edits or system file fixes after creating a System Restore point and backing up the registry. Editing the registry without a backup can make the system unbootable.
  • If hardware: an internal replacement or inexpensive external USB DVD drive is the practical fix.

Thanks to for noting hardware failure as a common cause. When in doubt, back up data and consult Dell support or a qualified technician rather than making risky system changes.

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Member Avatar for Gary335

It could be that the Cd drive went up.Things like that can happen very suddenly.

Member Avatar for Leedm

Hi all!

Problem now solved! I visited microsoft website and found a guide about deleting upper & lower files(whatever they are??)..Anyway i deleted them and my DVD/RW is now working again!!!
However to burn discs i had to re-install my cd burning software again.

Lee

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