oh yeah, it opens and closes fine

Ok this is wierd.. Have you tried different disc's? Or just cd's or dvd's?

I am thinking (this does happen once in awhile) that the IDE cable came loose somehow.

If you feel comfortable opening your pc case I will walk you though how to see if it did come loose

Once the side is off, look where your cd/dvd rom is. There will be a long ribbojn cable connected to it. Try pushing it in. also follow it to the motherboard and make sure it is nice and snug there as well.(make sure your pc is off though while doing this)

But before that go back into your device manager and right click the drive again and click scan for hardware changes..

Thanx a bunch Merlin, I was considering buying a new tower anyways so this just clinched it for me. I wouldn't want to open iot as I know nothing computer wise and due to it's age a new one is the easiest and smartest way I think. This thing is very outdated anyway.
You Guys are Great,
Jim