Removing old/Installing new optical drive?

How to Remove Replace Install your Acer Aspire 5738Z Laptop CD/DVD Optical Drive

1. Check to see if your laptop requires a screws to be removed for the optical drive.

2. Find the CD/DVD Optical Drive release button.

3. Pull out your Acer Aspire CD/DVD Optical Drive.

4. Get your new replacement Acer Aspire CD/DVD Optical Drive and place it securely into the drive slot.

- Link:

http://www.laptopinventory.com/LaptopInventory.php/Acer/Aspire/5738Z/CD%20RW

Here's a link to how to remove the optical drive in a service manual for the Acer Aspire AX3910


Acer Aspire X3910 Service Manual Removing The Optical Drive

The optical (CD) drive on your Acer laptop connects to the side of the device and is accessed via the underside of the computer.
If you are having problems with the optical drive on your laptop you should address it as soon as possible, and one thing you may need to do is remove it.
The good news is that even if you aren't particularly tech savvy, you'll find that the process of removing and replacing your optical drive is relatively easy.
Turn your Acer off and remove any power cables that may be attached to the side of the unit. Turn your Acer upside down.
Slide the battery out of its compartment on the underside of the computer.

Locate the circular optical drive retaining screw on the underside of your laptop.
It is located just above the square WiFi compartment in the middle of the computer.

Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw and set it aside.
Grip the optical drive by its edge on the side of the computer and gently pull to remove it from the computer.
Slide a new optical drive into the computer, making sure the disk opening is facing out of the laptop.
Replace the optical drive screw.

http://doube.org/aspireoptical
http://www.insidemylaptop.com/replace-hard-drive-dvd-drive-acer-aspire-3610-laptop/
Replace the CD Drive on an Acer Aspire 5000
The CD drive of the Acer Aspire 5000 is designed like most other laptop optical drives.
The CD drive is on the right-hand side of the computer and is attached with screws from the back of the case.
All you need to complete the task is a screwdriver.
To avoid electric shock or damage to the laptop, always ground your tools by touching them against a metal object like a table leg before using them on the computer.

Turn the Acer Aspire 5000 laptop off.
Unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet. Remove the power cord from the power supply in the side of the laptop.
Flip the laptop over so you are looking at the bottom of the case.
Slide the battery pack off the top of the case.
You'll see the CD drive on the left-hand side of the laptop when you are looking at the bottom of the case.

Unfasten the screws that are holding the CD drive onto the laptop with a screwdriver. Slide the drive out of the case.
Slide the new CD drive into the case and secure it with the screws.
Place the battery pack in the laptop and turn the computer back over so it is sitting on its base. Plug the power cord into the power supply in the side of the laptop.
Plug the other end of the cord into the electrical outlet.
http://www.batterystyle.com/acer-aspire-5000-drive-p-307461.html

Check with a bootable OS disc.
If it reads then repair the os

If the same issue is there, go for the replacement of Optical drive

It will have to be bent until the metal gives. It is like those old toys that come in the grid that you have to bend and snap off.

Try Acer Europe, they actually have drivers, where the US Site usually refers you to Microsoft or to put your Vista disk in the drive.

http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/as_5000.html

Hope this helps.

Hi 2901mslisa
Try solution from my other post http://www.fixya.com/support/t3180061-see_dvd_sometimes I think this model has a low quality optical drives, which is susceptible to defecting.

TRY MARAKAT OR AMAZON

Let me guess...you tried to install Roxio or another burner, and then it did not work, so you uninstalled it, but now your dvd drive has disappeared. You have tried to update the drivers, but you get a message showing that you have the latest driver, but alas, no dvd drive.

Use the restore point created just prior to installing the burner software and you will be fine. I have fixed 5 Acer 3680 laptops in the last two weeks with this problem. If you want to use Roxio or another burner software, go to the Acer webpage and link from them. Peace and good luck.

try with other dvd writeing software like nero or roxio or you can try your own nti cd & dvd maker by re-installing bye