computer problems, DVD-RW Drive

white2098 · Post by **white2098** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:08 pm

a few months ago, my dvd-rw drive stopped responding. when i would try to open the disk holder nothing would happen. eventually i just pried the holder open and then it would close when i pressed the close button. eventually it started opening and closing and wouldn't stop, even when i completely turned the computer off unplugged everything and turned it back on again.

eventually i got mad beyond all reason and ripped the disk holder off. now the light still blinks like it's either trying to read a disk or the drive is still trying to open and close the disk. it's been like this for a few months now, like i said earlier.

the big problem I'm having with this is that the drive is slowing my whole computer down. for example, when i try to open mtm2, it takes around 30 seconds to open and sometimes even longer along with some other programs.

is there any possible way to make this thing stop?

white2098 · Post by **white2098** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:16 pm

also, when i try to load a program or something like that, my mouse shows a little cd icon like the computer is trying to read a cd to load.

SLO_COPE · Post by **SLO_COPE** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:52 pm

Outside of the extremely remote possibility that your ribbon cable is bad, I'd say it's time for a new drive.

Post by **Phineus** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:13 pm

> i just pried the holder open
> i got mad beyond all reason and ripped the disk holder off

LOL

> is there any possible way to make this thing stop?

Sure, take the case off the computer and unplug all the wires from the drive. If you want, you can unscrew the mount screws (and/or brackets) and physically remove the whole drive, but unplugging all the wires 'should' solve most of your trouble.

Note. Depending how the bios is set up, it may look for a drive when booting. In that case, you have to enter set up and tell it there is no drive there anymore. Not hard, often not even necessary, but something to be alert to just the same.

Tip. Be gentle with computer parts. They are not build for ruggedness.

white2098 · Post by **white2098** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:24 pm

gets out the sledge hammer and crowbar [:P]

white2098 · Post by **white2098** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:05 pm

ok, i opened up the computer and disconnected the drive and the computer works perfect now.

thanks a ton!

ch_2005 · Post by **ch_2005** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:18 pm

eventually i just pried the holder open

In the future try sticking a paperclip in the pinhole under the tray.
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