CD-ROM's won't work on my PC

This is a new problem. I've never had a problem with CD-ROMs before on my computer. Recently however, I tried to load an instructional CD-ROM for a digital cam and it wouldn't work... no error message, no "spin sound"... nothing. It sounded like my PC tried to read it, couldn't, and quit. I tried other CD-ROMs as well... games, other instructionals... ones that I've had no problems with in the past... even brand new ones, but same problem. I can pinpoint when it began to be problematic when I tried to load a copied Anti-Virus CD an acquaintance made for me. Since then I've had problems. Now NO CD-ROM works. Is this a software issue, or something I may be able to correct? I did open the face of the computer and found a bit of dust in it and proceeded to clean it without damaging components... but still to no avail. Thanks in advance for any help provided.

The computer is a 1999 Intergraph Computer System:
Pentium II 350 Mghz
128 Meg Ram
4.3 Gig HD
56K Modem
Windows 98

 

Is the CD-rom original to your PC? Your CD-rom may have just died.
Check device manager for any problems.
Check to see that IDE & power cable is connected properly.
Got any led light on the drive does it lite up when booting or trying to play CD?
Is the drive seen in My computer or in Bios?

 

Try using a cleaning disk,may just be dust on the laser.

 

If suggestions from fellow Geeks fail. Go to control panel/system/device manager, look for the Rom you are having probs with, right click and uninstall. Reboot and computer will install driver on detection.

 

Yes, it seems to be the original. I bought the puter used, but I feel certain the CD-ROM is original. Regardless, I went to Device Manager and the Rom doesn't show up. In fact, any CD's I put in will not show. As far as LED lights, I do have one and it does flash approxamately 3 or 4 times after inserting the CDs, followed by a beep noise, then.... nothing. I also tried a lens cleaning CD, but my computer won't even accept THAT! I'm guessing it may be in need of replacement. If so, anybody have any idea what a new one would cost? Or a used one? Or better yet, any other theories as to how this can be corrected?

Thanks for your suggestions thus far.