DVD drive disappears while using it, reappears after reboot

[zvucnjak]

Whether it's watching a movie or playing a game, it often stops and I can't see my drive in the system. After I restart the computer, it's back.

I don't know if it has anything to do with it, but it first happened while I was playing TES III: Morrowind (vanilla), when it tried to load a cutscene. I heard that earlier versions have some Safedisc protection which can mess with your system (it was 1.2 btw). I don't use that anymore, now I have Steam GOTY version, but it happens anytime

Any suggestions?

 

[Britton30]

Does the drive operate normally otherwise? It may have a failing laser or drive motor and shuts off.

 

[zvucnjak]

I'm not sure what you mean by "normally"... When it works, it works fine. But occasionally it just stops in the middle of a video, for example, and disappears.

EDIT: And it's relatively new... about a year, I think... Haven't been using it much...

 

[Britton30]

Sorry I mean does it burn and run music or software OK, or is it just movies and games it stops with?