I got my PC last year, please see spec in profile, and cd re writer worked fine, 3 months later when I turned the PC on sometimes it would detect the writer but others it wouldent, this continued until about 6 months ago when It stopped altogether, no lights show anymore and it is not detected in my computer,

any suggestions?

Cheers from iain

You could try removing it from device manager and see if Windows finds it again, and checking the IDE and molex connections. But it sounds like an ex-CD burner, to borrow a bit from Monty Python.

Here in the states, it seems like every other week a major retailer (Best Buy, OfficeMax, etc) is running a special for a 52x24x52 CDRW drive for $9.99 or $19.99 after rebates. Maybe someone else will come along and make another suggestion, but I'd be keeping an eye out for a good deal on a new one.

If under warranty - use the warranty.

Otherwise check the power and ide cables and connections for starters.

Does it appear in Device Manager and/or in the BIOS?

it is not listed in device manager