Computerhilfen.com: cd drive is not recognized anymore

I'm having a problem with my cd drive.... it does not show up in the bios or device manager anymore!!!

A few days ago I had to get a Cd rom out of the drive by using the release button because it wouldnt open on command.

Now what can I do  ???
The drive does not require a driver. I have WIndows XP, if this is important. The drive is quite old, maybe it's just broken...

Is it a notebook (http://www.computerhilfen.de/fachbegriffe-n-Notebook.html) or a desktop (http://www.computerhilfen.de/fachbegriffe-d-Desktop.html) pc? If it's a notebook, (http://www.computerhilfen.de/fachbegriffe-n-Notebook.html) you should just get an external USB (http://www.computerhilfen.de/fachbegriffe-u-USB.html) drive, and not trying to open and check inside.

If its a desktop (http://www.computerhilfen.de/fachbegriffe-d-Desktop.html) pc, first check if the cables (power and data) are still connected. If yes, you could:
a) buy a new one (internal) and see if that works
b) get the drive carefully out and check at another computer
c) just buy an external USB (http://www.computerhilfen.de/fachbegriffe-u-USB.html) drive and forget about the built-in one :)

See our tip how to built in a new drive (with video):
http://www.computerhilfen.com/hardware-en-install-ide-drive.php3