When this happened to me, it turned out to be an ASPI issue.
I solved it by finding and downloading a package called ForceASPI. It will contain a sub-package called KillASPI. Run KillASPI to eliminate the ASPI drivers, and then see if your utilities work.
You can then decide if you want to use the other part of the ForceASPI package to reinstall the default ASPI layer. I found I didn't need it, since I use Nero and it uses its own ASPI layer.