DVD-RW drive

[mooSe_]

I've had a problem with my dvd drive for a while now where after a random amount of time of my pc being switched on (sometimes it doesn't happen at all) the dvd drive stops being recognised by the computer. If I am running a program that requires a disk it will suddenly come up with "please insert cd" or similar message and then when I look on my computer it says I have no DVD-RW drive. I have tried opening up my computer and reconnecting it in case it was loose or something but that didn't do anything. It's quite frustrating because I don't have any other disk drives on my pc.
Is it likely that it's the dvd drive itself that needs replacing?

Oh also I'm pretty sure all my drivers are up to date if that has any bearing on the problem.

 

[inactionman]

Sounds like it may be on the way out, I'd recommend replacing it.

To test, how does it work when burning a disc?

 

[mooSe_]

I've tried burning a disk several times. Sometimes it disappears before the burn finishes which causes it to fail obviously; other times it finishes burning but then says there was an error, and if I try to use the disk it says there is nothing on it.
I guess It's dying.

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Sounds like it, fortunately they're very cheap to replace.