My computer will not read or even try to read a cd when I put it in the drive.  When I OPEN 'my computer' it doesnt even show a cd drive.What happened before this started?
How old is the drive, and what make/model is it?
Does it show up in device manager?
If you are comfortable with it, open the case and ensure that the drive is plugged in properly.I dont know what happened, my roomate was "clearing out" some of his files last night and today it doesnt work.  It is a 2002 gateway RUNNING windows XP.  I opened it and it is plugged in.  I am not sure where to check the device manager.Right click on My Computer, and CHOOSE Manage, then Device Manager.
It should be in a category called DVD/CD-ROM drives.It shows the following:

Windows cannot LOAD the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)

Click Troubleshoot to start the troubleshooter for this device.OK, right click the drive in device manager and choose UNINSTALL, then OK.
Reboot, and Windows will reinstall the driver for it.Great!  Thanks for the helpI guess that means it's sorted then.
You're welcome, feel free to post again if you have any more problems.