This might be a stupid question but I don't care

My laptop's cd drive doesn't read discs anymore and I am planning on buying an external cd drive but i'm not sure how I would install it without a working cd drive.
Is it like a "plug and play" thing or do I need to install it?

I'd really appreciate it if someone could help me with this and if its possible could anyone just throw out some names for external cd+dvd drives under $100 that are good.

Hi, there are no "stupid" questions only stupid answers (hopefully this is not one ;) )

If you plug an external CD\DVD Drive into your computer
It will create another device in your Windows system
ie You will have two CD\DVD Drives showing in My Computer (the faulty internal one, and the new external one)

Have a look H E R E (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&Description=external%20burner&bop=And&Order=PRICE) on online prices. Or just go to any Computer, or large computer parts retail store (most have these)

Ok thanks, I really appreciate it.