Is there a setting in windows Xp x64 that chooses to turn off the
optical drives at any time??

I can boot my PC and have the use of the optical drives (CD, and DVD)
but if I go away from the PC and return later, (usually after the PC has
shut down the monitor (timed out)) the opticals might still be there, or
not.
Lost in windows explorer, and in other programs that might stand a
chance of looking at them.