Ok, on our home computer if you put a cd/dvd into the disk drives it doesn't load automatically like you would expect. Also if you go to my computer you can't find the drives on there.

Any help because I'm rather frazzled!

i had this problems with my usb before for my phone

try rebooting the computer

Ever look in your BIOS at the PC startup?
It could be disabled in there. Or else a lose cable inside the PC.

How do you look at your BIOS at the PC startup?

To open the BIOS, you have to press one key when your computer is starting to boot; that key depends on your motherboard, but usually it's one of the following:
F1, F2, F10, F12, (possibly other F's), DELETE

Personally I'd bet on a loose cable.

Edited at 23:18 Tue 19/08/08 (BST)

Anyway of fixing loose cable or time to call in an expert. Also would doing a system restore help?

if its a loose cable then a system restore wont do very much.... u will have to open up the computer case and have look. but if u dont have a clue either get sum1 to have a look or get sum1 to guide u through it.