NEC 2510 disc read problem

[StLght3]

I'm pretty sure it's a dead drive...but my NEC 2510 doesn't recognize any cd/dvd I put in it. I tried to boot by cd and that doesn't work. Any ideas? I can hear the drive working but nothing happens...the light on it stays on while its trying to read it and even my mouse cursor will change to a cd symbol but it never autoplays and when I goto explore it says its empty. I'm currently waiting for newegg to get their stock of 3520s in so I can order a new one. if indeed it is a bad drive.