Try this simple test. Boot the XP CD from that drive. No boot? Try the lens cleaner and then retest. Failed? Replace it.
Bob
I am having the same exact problem with my CD-R/RW burner. As of August, it will no longer read or write CDs. This seems like too much of a coincidence that it's a hardware problem. Could it have anything to do with the recent Windows XP patches?

Chowhound
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