Problem with both CD-ROM and CD-R drives

1.The factory CD-ROM (identified as Lite-in?) on my Dimension 2400 using XP, doesn't play the first 15-25 or so seconds of a music CD properly. I've tried several. The output is very distorted for that length of time, then it cleans up to normal sound. When I copy the CD onto the hard drive, it plays it back for me fine off the drive.
2.My CD-R doesn't burn at all. It's the Sony CRX216E that came with the unit. I went to the Sony site and ran a Driver Test from there and it found a problem. I submitted the test results to them but, since the Sony was put in at the factory, they won't support it. I still have the e-mail with the burn test results in my folder, but don't know why it won't burn. It worked fine the first several months I had the machine, but had it reformatted after some other problems came up and this is the first time I've either tried to read a CD or burn one and neither device works. No error messages come up and the Drive Manager shows the unit is working properly. BTW, the CD-R unit won't play a CD, either. It just whirs and clicks alot whatever I try to do with it. Sometimes I have to unplug the CPU or close MusicMatch Jukebox to get it to even eject the disc, after trying to burn or play something. Help, please.