This is a duplicate of this thread. Try to keep it to one thread so we can get all the questions and ansers in one place.

So with the activity light coming on we now know the power is there on both drives. Normally after that period of slower flashing it would/should start to flash much quicker indicating it is reading the CD but you do not get that. Try checking the Device manager click Start click Control panel click System click Hardware click Device manager Now in this new window look for yellow exclamation or question marks. Double click on any if they are present and see what it brings up. If no yellow marks then look for and double click on DVD/CD ROM drives, click the various tabs looking for error messages or it telling you the device is working properly. When you try a CD are you using a music CD or some software program? Try a music CD then open Windows Media Player and see what happens when you try to play the music. We might be clutching at straws here but if you exhaust all avenues before spending your money on a repairman it might be worth it.

You either have to change the input select on the dvd recorder to s-video (and you may find there is a set of audio inputs separate for the s-video) or you may have to enable the s-video output on the laptop - there may be a control panel or something in your settings for that. Your HP handbook should tell you how. Good luck with it.

Unfortunately, lost the receipt and warranty work requires it. However, I did revive it by forcing the read head back to the outer edge of the disc. While it was off, I just moved the head back--it seemed stuck in the center. I wouldn't do this on something that I didn't think was a lost cause anyway, and it just happened to work (for now). I guess the stepper motor was frozen up. We'll see how long it lasts now.