I re-installed Windows XP (Original OEM) and since then this problem exists.
As I said, it will read and play DVD's but when I received a data disc with MS Office files on it, I could not access the files.
I could access them on another computer.
It recognised the disc was there, but said it was blank, giving the free space amount as that of the CD less the burnt data space.
When I tried to install a game CD (copied) it will not recognise anything there - light comes on for a few seconds then goes out.
For your info, this all occurred after moving my notebook computer from Hong Kong to mainland China.
The device manager says that it's working properly - but it's not.
Any advice would be most appreciated