DVD-RW drive will not play any dvd's or cd's

I do run Micorsoft Security Essentials, and CCleaner quite a bit.  I do a Full system scan with M.S.E. at least once a week.  Not sure if that is enough though,

Hi AGP123, I've got a link below to the upper and lower filter fix.

Strongly urge you to backup (export) the entire registry before making any changes, just to be safe. :emotion-5:

and thanks Osprey!

By the way, I should have mentioned that this is a machine that I believe the owner tried updating the Bios, and after attempting this thought that the motherboard was bricked because all they could get was the black screen with flashing cursor.  When I hooked up the computer I did get a few msg's, (previous fan failure), for one thing.  I carefully cleaned out the machine, and put new thermal paste, (arctic silver 5).  I did tint both the metal cap of the processor, and heatsink.  Not sure if that is really necessary for what this comp. will be used for, but oh well.

Thank you both Osprey, and Ron.  I did actually go through Microsoft and run the Fix it program automatically.  It did report at the end that problem was still present though.  I was going to do an SFC, but the person who owns the computer did not supply me with the reinstallation cd's, and also I cannot get the dvd/cd rom drive to operate anyway.  I will try another dvd drive in the machine, but I fear that is not the problem.  Also, when start-up menu goes to my home screen I have some flickering on the screen.  Not sure if something more is going on here or not.

Thank you Ron, Osprey, and Speedstep!!!  I really appreciate all the help.  I did actually replace the battery on Monday.  Owner had it in upside down.  I will first try clearing the CMOS, and if that does not do it, will have to buy another dvd drive.

One other thing.  I do have 2 other older computers with dvd drive that I know are good.  Unfortunately they are IDE.  Is there any way to either try the questionable SATA dvd player in the older IDE based comp., or a way to try out one of the good IDE players in the XPS 410?  I imagine that I would need some sort of adapter though.

Thanks Ron, I was leaning towards that choice myself.  I think that even if I had to keep the drive, and the old one was not bad, it would be more of a waste to buy the adapter which I would more than likely never use again.

Just tried clearing the Bios.  Still nothing.  Will have to pick up a new drive.  Hopefully that is all that is wrong.  

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to help me!!!:emotion-2:  Turns out it was the DVD drive, and I got a new one quite reasonable that seems to have fixed the problem.