The cd drive doesn't work. It's like it doesn't exist. When opening "computer" it doesn't list the drive at all and nothing happens when I insert a cd. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

It may be bad. Has the laptop been damaged? Dropped? Open Device Manager, DVD/CD Rom drives, is it listed? In Start Menu, Computer, Is it listed? Try re installing the DVD rom driver, the MS Vista 32bit drivers can be found here: http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/04/Product/vostro-a860

When you insert the software disc, most computers are set to autorun what's inserted into the disc drive. If yours is not enabled, you can insert your disc, go to My Computer, and right click on the drive with the CD, and click on Open, this should allow you to access the information on the cd. Just click on the setup.exe, and you should start installing in no time!

Move the reader to a different USB port. If that doesn't work, the reader's probably given it up. I've seen several of this brand reader die an early death, for no apparent reason.

The laptop cannot find the boot hard drive, it may be faulty or just need reseating to make proper electrical connection.
First - re-seat the harddisk and reboot the computer. If this does not work then reboot and go to theBIOS configuration to see if the BIOS detects the hard drive. If it doesn'tdetect the hard drive then it could be faulty. Next - to determine if thehard drive is faulty, remove the hard drive and insert it into an USB hard drive adapter and connect it to a workingcomputer's USB port. If this computer cannot see itas an external hard drive and you cannot open the various folders and files,this confirms the hard drive is faulty. Then the hard drive needsto be replaced in the computer/laptop, Windows installed and the computer orlaptop's device drivers plus your programs etc. to get a functioningcomputer/laptop again.

The cd drive has gone bad, needs replacement

Check the the connection cables to the CD/DVD drive inside the computer (make sure they are seated). Enter the BIOS using the DEL or F1 key at startup and make sure the CD/DVD drive is detected. If not, try replacing ribbon or sata cable going to drive.

Open my computer-CD drive.

go to my computer and find your drive and open or explore.
if the drive isn't showing reload your cd rom driver

Your CD rom lens needs to be cleaned by a lens cleaner...

There should be a small hole on the front panel of the DVD-ROM. Take a paper clip and insert it into the hole and push to open the tray. If the DVD-ROM tray continues to malfunction, you'll need to replace it. DVD-ROMS run anywhere from $25.00 to $75.00.