What kind of electronic stores do you have in your AREA?Thanks, I got the message! I'll start looking around and I suppose the questions regarding the installation instructions and the degree of difficulty could be answered once I pick a store and , hopefully, I'll run into a knowledgeable tech not only one that wants to make a sale. Any advice you think might be USEFUL at this point?Thanks for all the help, GabiA dual-layer DVD burner should run you about 35 or 40 Bucks...
They are universal and quite EASY to install however i would suggest having someone who has done it before you assist since it's your first time...
As always whenever working inside the case remove all power sources and take anti-static precautions.

Total elapsed time 10 to 20 minutes.Removing a CD/DVD Drive in your model: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3100/en/sm/parts0.htm#wp1056445Thank you, Patio! Broni, thank you too!

It just occurred to me that the CDs I can't play now, after system repair operation I mentioned in the beginning of post, are MP3 format. So, maybe the ability to read this TYPE of file was lost after system repair. Where do I look? I read a LITTLE about codecs but I am not sure, like I said I am a novice. What player do you use?