DVD device not detected by kernel

From: Mr. Land (graftonfot_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 09/30/04 

Date: 30 Sep 2004 05:51:25 -0700

Hello,

My DVD drive was working (as /dev/hdc) but after a reboot occurred it
no longer functions.

After doing some research here, I think I understand that one of the
first steps necessary for this to work is that during bootup, the DVD
drive should be detected by the kernel, indicated by the display of a
line on the console like:

    /dev/hdc: (Brand and model of DVD drive, etc.)

...but I see no such line during bootup. I double-checked this with
dmesg...it seems that the kernel is not detecting the drive any
longer.

What needs to be in place for this to work?

BTW: I am running SuSE 9.0, "cat /proc/version" reports
2.4.21-226-default

Thanks in advance for any help...