DVD ROM won't remain closed.

[DentyCracker]

After more than a year of service my DVD ROM drive has decided it will not keep its door closed, seeming to think it is a cup holder. This happened suddenly on Thursday night. I thought I had left the machine off when I left for London Friday afternoon, but apparently I left the machine on. I am hoping that if I leave the machine off long enugh, the electronics will reset itself. Does anyone think it is a physical problem, and if so what can be done about it.

[Wombat]

So, what exactly happens? You push the button, and it goes in, and back out? Any noises?

[DentyCracker]

Push the button, goes in, light blinks a few times (two or three) then pops back out with no abnormal sounds

[Paddy]

*EDIT*

Didn't read the post properly!

[Wombat]

I wouldn't expect the electronics to reset. Along the same lines though, flashing the firmware again....

[DentyCracker]

I have tried doing that, will try it again

[xortam]

Try placing the DVD media in upside down and then try again right-side up. This fixed a similar problem I was having, even after reflashing.

[Wombat]

It sounds like it thinks it has a bad disc. Either a stuck "disk present" switch, or some dirty optical stuff.

That, or there's something jamming the door, but usually that causes noise.

[DentyCracker]

I'll take it out and clean it when I get home from work this evening. Flashed it twice (with a region free firmware this morning) Off to dl the latest P drivers before heading for work.

[xortam]

Try to flip the disc first like I recommended. Why risk harming the optics when you can try my trick first? I was really surprised this trick worked because I don't know where it would store this state information. I had tried various OSes under separate removable boot disks as well as reflashing the device but it still would reject the discs. I did a google search and eventually ran across this trick although it was addressing a somewhat different problem. I was amazed that this simple process cleared the problem. The drive has worked fine now for several months since I performed this procedure. My unit was only ejecting DVDs. CDs and CD-Rs would play just fine.

[DentyCracker]

I tried your suggestion as soon as you posted. It did not work. I did as I said I would, and I do have a clue, so I wasn't risking harming the optics. Plus I didn't have the use of the DVD anyway so if I borked it I would do the same as I would if I couldn't get it to work ie buy another. Anyway happy ending. I think the problem was that something was physically stuck. The drive wouldn't spin up at all until I had opened it, put media in it and manhandled it a bit.1 cubic mm of black stuff broke off and the drive started spinning up. I quickly put it back together and it is now working. I suspect this all happened because the drive is on its side as is the machine

[VJ]

Originally posted by DentyCracker
I suspect this all happened because the drive is on its side as is the machine

Is it on the correct side ? Some drives only allow mounting on one of their sides... Also, in certain drives (perhaps mostly older ones) one needs to adjust holders in the tray when using the drive vertically.


Jörg

[DentyCracker]

Thought did cross my mind. In any case it is the side it will have to stay on until I get my new case. Has to do with the PSU and Zalman flower cooler wanting to occupy part of the same space.