Homeschool Software, Tips, and Curriculum

I have a Sony VAIO laptop VGN-N250E. It’s 1 1/2 yrs old. It appears the DVD/CD-ROM drive has failed - at first, I started having trouble with it reading disks (would have to open and close drive multiple times and repeatedly click on the program icon to finally get it to read) - now, I can’t even get the drawer to open.

Replacing the laptop or sending it to SONY for repair is out of the question (699.00 to replace DVD/CD-ROM drive through SONY). I have a disability and I simply can’t afford it. But, although my knowledge of computer hardware is *very* limited, I do have some mechanical aptitude and am very good at following instructions.

Would it be possible for me to buy a replacement DVD/CD-ROM drive and install it, if someone were able (and willing - hint, hint!) to walk me through the process? Where can I buy a replacement (eBay)? How much do they cost? I have tried to find one on my own online, but didn’t have any luck because I wasn’t able to locate one with the exact same name as the one that was factory installed, and I don’t know enough about them to understand which others, if any, may be compatible with my unit.

Here’s all the info regarding the computer and DVD/CD-ROM drive:

Computer: Model # PCG-7X1L
DVD/CD-ROM: SONY DVD RW AW-G540A ATA Device

If you need further information to answer my questions, please ask.

I would appreciate the help any of you might give me, more than you know. I homeschool my daughter (due to medical issues *she* has), and with the drive out of order, she cannot use the software that is part of her curriculum.

Thank you SO much for any help you may give me!

TwirlyGirly
I would rather *not* purchase an external DVD/CD-ROM drive. That would definitely be a "last resort" solution. It just gives me more things to have to carry around and risk dropping!

the best option for you at the moment is to buy an exrernal dvd rw from any computer store, they just plug into a usb slot and are ready to use. i hope this helps, also they are not expensive