side tracked

I have got completely side tracked tonight as my wife's laptop (windows vista) decided to not recognise its cd-dvd drive! all she was trying to do was install a web cam! on well I might be some time! 

update: at about 2am BST (saturday) morning it is effectively sorted. I have to say that working with a windows XP based networked machines; and a lot of microsoft software in my day job. as well of course as using mac systems through choice. 'vista' as an operating system seems more than a little bit annoying.