Please help CD drive not working

[dsv]

I have a problem with my Vaio laptop model PCG-GRX316MP. It hasn't had a lot of use, it's mainly used for demonstration purposes but now it's working incredibly slowly and the CD rom isn't working, every CD inserted is only recognised as a music CD - whether it's a DVD, or information CD or software CD. Someone recommended using an external CD rom and doing a system recovery.
I've borrowed another CDRW and had intended to use the recovery disks to restore everything to it's original settings but I can't seem to begin the recovery process, i followed the instructions on the Vaio help page i go through the Bios part but when the computer restarts with the disk in the external CD drive, it just starts up as normal going through to windows, it's not starting up from the recovery CD. Any help would be gratefully received.
dsv:smileyconfused:

[rich912]

On checking, that is not the location of the recovery exe file. It might be in the Sony directory and called restorer.exe but I am not certain of this.
Proceed with caution.

[dsv]

thanks for the suggestion, unfortunately this model isn't in the warranty period.
and i'm afraid the cost of repair is going to outway it's worth.
that's why i was attempting to check it out myself.
thanks for your suggestion though

[kee-lo_]

Look out on eBay, some guy was selling his VAIO for parts, went for £30, thats not bad just to get a working DVD drive!

[dsv]

that's an excellent idea!:smileyhappy:

[kee-lo_]

Add it to your favourite search and ask it to email you when new ones come on ebay, then you won't miss out

[dsv]

great - thanks!