Optorite DD0405 freezes system

Hi

I have an Optorite DD0405 DVD player/burner which has given me trouble since I got it. It came installed already in my new system. The system contains:
Motherboard: Aopen MX4SGI-4DN2
Chipset: Intel 865G
CPU: 2.8Ghz Intel Pentium 4
DDR RAM: 512kb
Graphics: Onboard Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller
Other CD Burner: Cyberdrive CW099

The problems I am having is that the system freezes intermittently when I try to access a CD in the DD0405. I have also been unable to run CD-based games using the DD0405. Again, the system freezes intermittently. This has happened with most CDs I have tried so far.

When I say the system freezes, I mean that the mouse freezes on the screen, and I am unable to get anything else to respond, including ‘Alt’ commands and commands such as Ctrl+Alt+Delete. Very occasionally the system will eventually respond of its own accord, but usually I have to reboot. (Note: This is not all the time – just intermittently!).

Can you please give me some feedback on this problem and advice on how to fix it! It is very frustrating, and as I have a great need for using CD-based applications, it is a problem I really need resolved.

Many tnx for your help.

This sort of thing happens if the CPU gets overheated. Your first bet would be to check the heat-sink (the fan above the CPU) and make sure its not clogged with dust.