DVD RAM Prob

Has it ever worked? Did it stop working recently? If it's brand new..return it.. If it's under warranty you could call Acer. The drive could be dead, or maybe the pata/sata cable is loose? I think this second thought would be unlikely.. as your computer would probably not see the drive then. So you're putting cd/dvd's in.. and they don't read or appear?

K,
1) In the Hardware Manager (under Control Panel) do you see any :!: marks in the hardware list? Also, make sure the device is present in the list and open its properties..it should say it's operating normally. If not this needs to be corrected. Perhaps the driver is corrupted. search for a new driver on the web just in case. Uninstall the current driver and restart. It will reinstall upon restart and may ask you for a driver.. you can specify it then, or update afterwards
2)Is this an old computer, but a new drive that YOU installed?
3)If you installed it, try one more time being sure everything is connected properly
4)if you didn't and someone else did, i.e. CompUSA, Local Computer Shop,or your friend., have them try again
5)does the cd/dvd spin after you insert it?