DVD-RW can't read or write any media

Hello!

I have a Gericom Blockbuster 2440XL notebook and after taking out and cleaning the keyboard, the DVD-RW (Matshita UJ-815-B) stopped working properly. It is recognized in BIOS, it has power and accepts and ejects CDs, however it can't read or write any media. After I insert a disc, I hear mechanical sounds and the DVD-RW led flashes, but after a few seconds nothing happens. I can't access any kind of media, either written or blank, CDs or DVDs. I took the drive out and put it back, several times, with no success. The lock for the dvd-rw doesn't work anymore, since I cleaned the keyboard, but this should have no influence on the drive, right? Since it has power, that it fits well on the connector, I think. I even tried to push it with the hand in the slot a little stronger, just in case the connection was loose, but to no avail.
What can I do?
I have a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo from an IBM Thinkpad T30, but unfortunately, the connectors are different. I took some pictures of the drives:







Do you think, that I can adapt the other DVD-ROM into the laptop bay somehow?
I am very thankful for any suggestions.

Chris