CD Drive wont open

Over the last few day my cd was not opening smoothly, now it wont open at all. I checked the hardware device in control panel which tells me its working properly. But my D drive (CD) has disappeared from My Computer.
I've tried the old trick of using an opened out paper clip in the hole, but that didnt achieve anything.
Before I go to the trouble of going back to the vendor, is there any obvious and easy remedy.
I dont know if it is related but I have an external drive K attached to a USB port.
Sometimes it disconnects itself but is ok if I disconnect and reconnect.
I need some help and would be grateful for any ideas.

 

I'm not trying to bump this post up, but I have an addition to make.
At the front of my tower I have 2 USB ports. If I attach an external drive to the left port I can hear a sort of clunk and the optical drive completely disappears from the control panel. If I remove the device, the drive re-appears but still wont open. I have speccy installed and it gives the same result.

 

Thanks Pete for your helpful reply. The computer had a good sleep and the cd drive has returned to normal.
I think you're right about the side effect from the fron USB port for this reaason. I have a internet dongle (from 3g) using the front port (it wont work in any at the back-thats normal). But in Device Manager instead of it appearing in the usb controllers, it appears under the cd/dv heading and is described as a cd-rom usb device.
Logic, as opposed to any technical knowledge suggests that it is being mis-identified.
Additionally the dongle usb logo is shown in My Computer under Devices with Removable Storage alonside the cd rom logo and some other empty removable drives.
I followed your advice re-power maanagement but the usb root hub panels don't have power management facility on any of the tabs. Is there any other way to access power management.
I'm still under warranty but dont want to go back to the vendor unless its absolutely necessary ( he's a cowboy) and clearly you are taking me down the right track so I would appreciate you're further views on this.
How's the snow in Staffs? I'm totally socked in down here.

 

Thanks for your help Pete, I'l keep it under obs.
I will leave this thread open just in case anyone else wants to chuck in their two penn'orth.

 

I just followed Pete's instruction on Post #3 and Right click on USB Root Hub > Properties opens a window and along the top extreme right definitely shows Power Management. Click on that and it shows Allow Windows to close off to save power. Neil.

 

Apologies to PeteC and thanks Niel, carelessness on my part, I was looking at the wrong thing. I've now unchecked the boxes as recommended by PeteC.
Thanks guys.