Answer: Modern computers, especially laptops, rarely come with an optical drive, such as a CD or DVD player. So is it possible to play or burn CDs and DVDs if your computer doesn't have a CD or DVD drive?
Yes... But you still need an optical drive. The easiest way to play or burn CD/DVD discs is to buy an external optical drive. Most optical drive peripheral devices connect via USB and are plug-and-play. That means you can simply connect the drive and use it the same you would use an internal CD/DVD player. Many external CD/DVD burners are available for under $50.
Knowing how to open a CD player on a laptop with keys is handy if you don't have access to tools and the drive is stuck. A few of the most common reasons a drive gets stuck or won't open are as follows: 1) the button no longer works, or disappeared; 2) a CD/DVD has jammed the drive; 3) the computer has frozen and won't open the drive. Another method i have found is using a magnet. I found it completely by accident, as i took a DVD drive out of a broken laptop, laid it on my desk, on top of a HDD magnet, and it popped open. I then did again, and when i put the magnet under, and a little behind the button, it would open the DVD player.
Alternatively, if you have another computer with an optical drive, you may be able to access the CD or DVD player from that system. First, you need to connect both computers to the same network (wired or wireless).
In Windows, you can use the Network File and Folder Sharing or feature to share an optical drive with other systems on the network. Simply open the 'This PC' window in Windows Explorer. Then right-click the CD/DVD drive icon and select Give access to → Advanced sharing...'. Finally, select the appropriate network or use the 'Advanced Sharing' option to choose what users can access the drive.
In macOS, open System Preferences and choose the Sharing option. Then check the box next to 'DVD or CD Sharing.' This will allow other Macs connected to the same network to access the optical drive. You can open, play, and burn CDs and DVDs from other systems just like you can from the computer with the physical drive.
