T
The Raz Man
Guest
OMG I hate my computer! Now my cd-rom drive is jammed there's not even the green light that flashes from it. Does anyone know if this is at all fixable?
Mag has spare parts. Check him out.
T
The Raz Man
Guest
Thanks
V
vanzetti
Guest
Also, kinda sounds like it could be the power supply.
Just crack that computer open and make sure all the cables that go into the drive are secure... the power cable is the one with the 'thick' wires, but check the data ribbon too...
Good luck.
Worst case you can pick up a new one at Best Buy / Circuit City for 30-40 bucks.
Just crack that computer open and make sure all the cables that go into the drive are secure... the power cable is the one with the 'thick' wires, but check the data ribbon too...
Good luck.
Worst case you can pick up a new one at Best Buy / Circuit City for 30-40 bucks.
Maybe you need to defrag.
barelypure
Spectator
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Have you tried inserting a paper clip in the small hole on the door of the CD drive? That's an emergency release. The CD may not pop all the way out but if it releases the catch you can generally pull the drawer open and make sure nothing is hung inside.
If there is nothing inside, then open the case and reseat the power connector. If that doesn't work you'll probably have to replace it. They are real cheap now and an easy DIY job. At most 2 screws and 2 cables. Just remember the red line on the ribbon cable goes next to the red wire of the power cable.
If there is nothing inside, then open the case and reseat the power connector. If that doesn't work you'll probably have to replace it. They are real cheap now and an easy DIY job. At most 2 screws and 2 cables. Just remember the red line on the ribbon cable goes next to the red wire of the power cable.
as mentioned, i have a plefora of spare CD-ROM readers and a burner sitting around.
Does the drive have a Drive letter attached to it? IE either E or F?
If so, right click my computer, properties, hardware tab, click device manager button, expand DVD/CD drive group, and make sure there are no yellow exclamation marks or red X's next to the drive
If no letter:
Dell: tap F2 when the dell logo appears (or alternate letter for setup screen if displayed)
Microsoft: tap F10 when the microsoft logo appears
Gateway: I THINK it is F2, but may be F10.
then go to drive settings, and it should list all the hard and optical drives installed in the machine. Make sure the optical drive in question is listed.
Next step is to physically open the computer, and make sure that the 4 pin molex and 40 pin ribbon connector is firmly attached to the optical drive in question. If there are multiple drives, or the optical is on the same ribbon as a hard drive, that one is master and the other is slave. In the latter case, the hard drive should always be master.
As mentioned, the red line on the ribbon cable should be pointing toward the power connector.
If all else fails, unplug the power connector, and using a volt meter set to 20 VDC, verify that the voltage from the yellow wire to the black wire immediately next to it reads 12 VDC, while from the red to it's black reads 5.0 VDC, within a .5 VDC tolerance.
Does the drive have a Drive letter attached to it? IE either E or F?
If so, right click my computer, properties, hardware tab, click device manager button, expand DVD/CD drive group, and make sure there are no yellow exclamation marks or red X's next to the drive
If no letter:
Dell: tap F2 when the dell logo appears (or alternate letter for setup screen if displayed)
Microsoft: tap F10 when the microsoft logo appears
Gateway: I THINK it is F2, but may be F10.
then go to drive settings, and it should list all the hard and optical drives installed in the machine. Make sure the optical drive in question is listed.
Next step is to physically open the computer, and make sure that the 4 pin molex and 40 pin ribbon connector is firmly attached to the optical drive in question. If there are multiple drives, or the optical is on the same ribbon as a hard drive, that one is master and the other is slave. In the latter case, the hard drive should always be master.
As mentioned, the red line on the ribbon cable should be pointing toward the power connector.
If all else fails, unplug the power connector, and using a volt meter set to 20 VDC, verify that the voltage from the yellow wire to the black wire immediately next to it reads 12 VDC, while from the red to it's black reads 5.0 VDC, within a .5 VDC tolerance.
T
The Raz Man
Guest
Thanks for that but I'm disabled so can you explain that in more lamens terms so I can explain it to someone who will have to help me? I have an update if it will help.
Update so I stuck an unfloded paper clip in it and it came open but it's still not working cuz the light that reads the disc won't come on. If anyone has any idea how to help I'd be grateful cuz talking to Dell is a real pain, most of them are from other countries and their english is very hard to understand.
barelypure
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To also do part of what MH suggested, click on Start/Settings/Control Panel. Double click on System. Click on the Hardware tab and Device manager. You will see a section for the CD. Usually if there is something wrong (yellow ! or red x) it will show without you having to click on the plus.
You will probably have to open the case. Make sure it is unplugged. Usually 3 screws on the back right as the back faces you. The side should then slide off. Locate the back of the CD. There will be a grey ribbon cable, black connector connected to the back of the CD drive. Next to that is the power cable with a white connector. Check both of these to make sure they are properly seated. They probably are and the problem is the drive has gone bad.
To replace the drive you will need to remove the front. There should be tabs along the side that you push to disengage from its slot. With the front removed, unplug the ribbon cable and power cable. There is either 2 screws on the side or a green quick release that covers the 2 screws, remove the drive. Put a new one in place depending on how the old one was secured. Replace the ribbon cable and power cable.
Depending on your operating system it should find and install the new drive. j
You will probably have to open the case. Make sure it is unplugged. Usually 3 screws on the back right as the back faces you. The side should then slide off. Locate the back of the CD. There will be a grey ribbon cable, black connector connected to the back of the CD drive. Next to that is the power cable with a white connector. Check both of these to make sure they are properly seated. They probably are and the problem is the drive has gone bad.
To replace the drive you will need to remove the front. There should be tabs along the side that you push to disengage from its slot. With the front removed, unplug the ribbon cable and power cable. There is either 2 screws on the side or a green quick release that covers the 2 screws, remove the drive. Put a new one in place depending on how the old one was secured. Replace the ribbon cable and power cable.
Depending on your operating system it should find and install the new drive. j
Betsy
Team Owner
RAZ Lots of advice to read here... I didn't read about UNINSTALLING the device..
The thing I would suggest is to UNINSTALL the device and then restart the computer. When the computer wakes up it should "find" the device and turn it on again. Most times this will work and the device will go about it's business if it is in working condition.
If it is found but still doesn't work then put the paperclip in the small hole and open it to see if there is a disk LODGED incorrectly inside the tray..
If it still doesn't work swap it out with a new one (or new to you anyway)..
Betsy
The thing I would suggest is to UNINSTALL the device and then restart the computer. When the computer wakes up it should "find" the device and turn it on again. Most times this will work and the device will go about it's business if it is in working condition.
If it is found but still doesn't work then put the paperclip in the small hole and open it to see if there is a disk LODGED incorrectly inside the tray..
If it still doesn't work swap it out with a new one (or new to you anyway)..
Betsy
T
The Raz Man
Guest
Thanks everyone for all the help.