Hi, Terwon:

Please run the Dell diagnostics to verify that the drive cannot read CDs. Run the READ test with a data disc in the drive. Post your results and we'll go from there.

A replacement drive is easy to find, if you should need one.

Thanks, ran the Dell Diagnostics on the CD/DVD drive with a disc in it  - received the follow messages:

Error Code:  0148
Message Error Code:  2000-0148
2: IDE Error Status
IA Error register:  0020h

If I am in Windows XP, and a place a regular DVD movie (purchased ones e.g. Disney DVD) the DVD drive whirrs for a whole then dies;  if I put in a CD data disc, it seems to read this.

Terwon

Well, that confirms my suspicion.

These are easy to find and not very expensive, such as this vendor (which Google found in 0.13 seconds).

Thanks for the confirmation and referral!