CD/DVD drive will not start

Try downloading a new driver set for the laptop.

Hi Veteren
please recommend a goodun as Ive already uncessfully tried.... alas my request for help ????

The best I can recommend is the laptop manufacturer's site, which presumably is where you've already been.

So if that didn't help, you may be looking at a hardware fault.

If the drive is in a removable caddy you may be able to open that up and replace the bare drive.

You could try resetting the upper and lower CD ROM filters:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060

thanks everyone..... it was a hardware failure, new dvdrw optical drive fitted