HL - DT - ST DVD+-RW GSA-T11N ATA Device - Issues not being able to read any dics?, drive does not read any auto play cd'roms etc!!!

Hello, my HL - DT - ST DVD+-RW GSA-T11N ATA Device within my VOSTRO 1700 does not read and type of DVD, CD ROM and certainly doesnt read any Auto Play on a CD / DVD rom at all?, when ever I view the disk - DVD Drive (E): it always continually says that there is no disc available / Drag files to this folder to add them to the disc - when I know for a fact it maybe a software disc or installation disc?, so know that this is definitely not a blank disc?........

When a dvd or cd is inserted into the drive, the drive spins and whirls for 3 or so seconds and then stops with the message above, it just cannot read the discs.   The other thing is that I have onle ever really used the drive in the past on maybe 2-3 occasions so have only just realised the issue now, but a great deal of time ago it used to work fine???........ please can someone help as i am going crazy trying all different ideas but nothing to date has worked, thank you, any help would be greatly appreciated!........

Neil