when i put in any discs into my laptop, it simply wont recognize them. how do i establish what is wrong? and whta can i do ?
cheers

Some laptops come with removable CD/DVD drive, first to check if the drive has been probably installed and the system detect the CD drive correctly.

try to remove the CD/DVD driver from the device manager and reboot the laptop for the OS to recapture the driver again.

If the problem persists, try use the DVD drive lens cleaner to clean the CD/DVD drive.

I assumed you know not to use the DVD disc on the CD drive.

Please tell us more details of your laptop, brand name, normally, when people say CD drive, it usually indicate the DVD drive as well. So please tell us more details of your laptop.