IN DESPEATE NEED OF HELP!!!! DVD DRIVE!!!!

Hi everyone!

I just bought a new system (dual core 2gb ram 9000GT video card, the usual suspects) and once I put everything together I proceeded to insert the vista home basic dvd to install my new operating system. However, I first noticed there was an issue when I had to leave the OS install running overnight to complete! It took over 12 hours to install! Anywho, I finaly got to the point where I could log on, now windows does not recognise there is a DVD drive connected however some times it does. When it does recognise there is a drive I insert my chipset and motherboard driver disk to install the drivers but it will not read at all and locks up. I have managed to get the install started a few times but shortly into the install it will stop reading the disk or something and lock up. I figured it may be the drive so I replaced it, still same issue, so I replaced the sata cables and still nothing. Every part of this sytem is brand spanking new so I dont know what the issue could be. wated to donate this PC to the Leukaemia Fondation here in Brisbane but if I cant get it to work I wont be able to. I have noticed that even when it isnt being read by windows, there is still power going to it though. I figured that since windows boots up fine and it is recognising all other hardware including the ram that it shouldnt be a faulty motherboard as the hard drive also works perfectly fine.

PLEASE, any help would be MUCH appreciated.

Cheers.