try downloading the latest drivers for your laptop. one question..... when you put in a CD or DVD does the drive spin up?

CD/DVD uses the operating system generic drivers and does not come with any separate drivers, but it has its firmware that can be updated from its manufacturer website.
In your case it looks like the issue could be a software issue rather than a hardware issue. Try to remove all the disc burning applications from your computer and restart it, then check in "Computer" and in "Device manager". In Device Manager if it shows error run the Microsoft "Fixit" to remove the upper and lower filters. You should also remove any other application which has disc burning feature that you had installed.

Also uninstall and reinstall the drivers from Device manager. Then check if you are able to play any discs and also burn files using the Windows native burning feature or you may check by trying to burn any media file from Windows Media Center or Player.