Windows 7: Disc Drive

Hey Friends,



i have this issue here, my disc drive shows in "my computer" sometimes and other times it doesnt! No disc drive shows up in "my computer" only the two Hard drives show. It is good enough, i know because it has DVD-Rewritable, Ultra-Speed, and DVD-Multi-Recorder icons printed on it (outside where the button is)... Plus it used to play everything i used to give it, now it doesnt play some cds it used to before..
i havent used it from a long time, as you all know we dont really use discs alot now do we?...
Anyone have any solutions, suggestions, is more than Welcome to come and share their Knowledge.

Thanks.

I would wait til its playing up then check bios to see if it still shows

If not would be a sign of a knackered drive

Also when its not showing up does the drawer still open & if so does it spin up a disc when inserted

Yes, the drive does open, and yes it does spin but in spinning it does not spin some cds like it does others, i mean when it cannot read or it isnt reading it spins with strange noises like getting stuck on a crack in the cd (which there isnt any ofcourse) other cds it spins fine and smooth at a high speed..

strange noises especially clicking is never a good sign, might just be good old knackered

how is it damaged without being used? another person also told me it could be a gone drive but can someone explain how can it be damaged without being used??!?!