www.makemkv.com

As per the above my normally reliable LG drive now only shows in windows explorer or Makemkv when a CD is used.

Dvd/Blu-ray spin a bit but nothing happens

It shows as a dvd drive in device manager.

I guess it's died a laser death.....

So onto a Pioneer replacement?

If you can find a Pioneer that hasn't been locked out of UHD. Some of the distributors here have such things, but if you're buying on your own, you're more likely to find UHD in a LG or Asus brand nowadays.

Thanks I was probably going to go for the drives from Asmcom as they're based in the UK - any minor price difference I might get from an open market LG/Asus likely disappears in the ballache to get it to just work...