Need to swap out a CD drive in a computer where it is working to a computer where it is not working, and want to know how easy or difficult this is, and/or if it would be better to buy a new one?

You can try swapping it out as it is not that hard to do. Buying a new one only gives you the CD drivers on a disc. For the old one, you can download the drivers needed from the web. Be sure to hook up the ribbon connection properly and you'll be fine.

Swapping the CD should take nothing more than screwdriver and paying careful attention.

Make sure you attach the ribbon cable with the red strip next to the power plug.

After you reboot, the system should see the new device and attempt to download the drivers for you. If it doesn't, the Device manager should at least list the device and you can post here again so we can help you find the drivers.

The worst that could happen is it doesn't work, so you're no worse off. THEN buy a $10 CD drive... or a $25 DVD writer which will most likely do CDs for you, too... and a new one comes with the drivers, so no worries at all this way.

You're call. Both easy.