I doubt a System Restore would help, it normally doesn't with a hardware issue. What I would like you to do is look at the Owner's manual for your Inspiron 1100, found
HERE, and go to page 106 which tells you how to remove the CD-ROM drive from the computer. Of course do this with the laptop turned off.

Once you have the CD-ROM drive removed, turn the laptop back on and let Windows load. Once you are at the desktop, do the following:
Click
Start then
Run and type
regedit...click "Ok"
In the left pane, expand (click +)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, then
SYSTEM, then
CurrentControlSet, then
Control, then
Class, and click on
{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}Right click on {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} and choose
Export. Name this file "filters" and save it to your desktop. This file can be deleted when it is determined it is no longer needed.
In the right pane, if either
UpperFilters or
LowerFilters are present, right click on it and choose
Delete...accept the deletion. Delete both if they are both present.
Close Registry Editor and shut down your computer.
Once it is powered off, reattach the CD-ROM drive back into your laptop. Once it's reattached, turn on your laptop and let Windows load. Once Windows is loaded and you are at your desktop, you should notice Windows find and install the CD-ROM drive again. Once it's done and says "Your hardware is installed and ready to use," reboot your computer again. Once it is rebooted and you are back at your desktop, try putting a CD-ROM in the drive, a normal one not a burned CD-ROM, and see if it now plays it.
Fenor