Can I use an external CD/DVD unit ?

hi - 1 of imacs won't play dvd's or install disks , need repair volume according onyx , maintenance.it reads , plays audio cd's fine won't load dvd's , install disks , in fact physically marks them-i can live without dvd's obv. need access install data etc
suggestions whether basic usb disc drive load apple software disks ?

 

any external optical disk drive (odd) work fine, can boot external usb devices (such usb odd) on intel mac, have.

 

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