virtualbox.org

Hi all,
I have just installed Virtualbox on my MacBook Air (OS 10.9 Mavericks).
On the virtual machine I'm using Windows XP and I would like to install some programs on it via CD/DVD drive, but the virtual machine doesn't recognise any disc at all.
What shall I do?
Many thanks in advance for any suggestion / assistance.
Cheers,
Raniero

How did you install XP if the vm cannot see the DVD drive on the host?

Check the settings of the vm's DVD drive from the VirtualBox Manager. Is it set to use the DVD drive in the host, or does it have a file assigned to it?