CD-Rom Drive won't read

Problem: CD-Rom will not read discs. Explorer shows CD-ROM drive as
being present. When I put a disc in, the green activity light goes on
for about a minute then goes out. Explorer then prompts me to insert
a disc, as if it could not read anything off the disc. This happens
with both data and audio discs: CD-ROM drive is not reading. I tried
uninstalling and re-installing, still will not read. Problem started
abruptly (I was browsing a data disc.) Called tech. support, agent
suggested a firmware upgrade. Is that what I should do? Where/how
can I get that?

Info about drive (from NeroTool and sticker on drive):
Brand: Digital Research
Model: DRCDRW241040
Manf: 2002/02

Nero InfoTool 2.27

Drive Information
------------------
Drive : CDWRITER IDE2410
Type : CD-RW Recorder
Firmware Version : A.23
Buffer Size : 2 MB
Date : ?
Serial Number
Vendor Specific :


Drive Letter : D:\
Location : 1:0
Mechanism : Tray
Read Speed : 4 X
Write Speed : 24 , 2 , 1 X