I had a similar problem, maybe worst, with the DVD-RW from my computer. I could not even command it to open or close by itself, it did not detect any inserted media and actualy destroyed a CD-R by melting part of the recorded surface.
What worked for me:
I disconnected and removed the drive from the computer and opened it.
I then pushed and activated the various mobile pieces by hand, put everything as it previously was and closed the drive.
Once reconnected, it resumed working normaly.
Electro, May 2012
