CD drive will not close

enaidenots · Joined: Dec 09, 2007 Posts: 18

I have a Compaq puter running Windows XP (upgraded from ME) This computer was purchased in 2001. I am trying to fix it up and do a fresh install because I bought a new computer and wanted to give the Compaq to a cuz, but the problem

When I plug in the computer and turn it on, the CD tray opens and will not close - oh, I can close it but it pops right back open.

Is there is reasonabley inexpensive way to fix this?

Thanks
Diane

Werebo · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:03 am Post subject:

You can check to see if anything is jamming the mechanism, while the tray's open. I found, in the past, a CD or DVD with a 'home-printed' stick-on label has been played, the heat can loosen the label glue, causing it to ooze out and and jam the works up.

Failing that, the cheapest way (both time and money Wink

) is to just replace it with a new one.

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1064 Location: Central FL, USA

Yup, it's broken!
Between limit switch failure and belts breaking, those drives don't last forever.

Replacement drives are much cheaper today than they were in 2001.
And they're better drives too. You can get a DVD burner for less than a CD player cost in 2001.

If you care anything about the people you're giving it to, install a DVD burner and install the burning software that comes with it.
Most decent brands today, come with NERO. There's none better.

Cheers Mate!
The Doctor

enaidenots · Joined: Dec 09, 2007 Posts: 18

Thanks for your help. I checked with a local computer repair guy here and he can replace the CD/CDRW for about 30 bucks - not bad! I forgot to ask about a DVD, so I'll check with him when I take the computer in.

Thanks again!

Diane

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1064 Location: Central FL, USA

Diane,
I don't know where you are or who you have to deal with, but I regularly buy "top-O-the-Line" DVD burners for $35 each. They all come with the Nero Express CD/DVD burning software.

In retail boxes at the local Staples Store, the same quality drives are $69 and up. But still not too bad for a DVD burner with the best burning software.

I won't even buy CD players anymore. It's like going backwards and just throwing good money down a rat hole.

I have one customer that bought DVD's by mistake for their old CD burner.
The burner accepted the DVD as a CD and burned to it using the CD size of 700mb. I didn't even know they could do that. Stupid burner! Laughing

Oh well, now I'm rambling.

Good Luck to ya!

The Doctor

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2392

drwho07, he can replace the drive for $30. That is drive removal and new drive install so the $30 covers labor. I don't think the OP wants to install it; she wants to get it done.

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1064 Location: Central FL, USA

I'm jus sayin'......installing a CD player, today, is a total waste of time and money. When for a couple of bux more, you can get a DVD burner which will be a thousand times more useful......whether you install it yourself or get it done.

I'm jus sayin'.................

Doc

profhig · Joined: Sep 06, 2003 Posts: 239 Location: Tamworth, UK

OK. Hereâ€™s my take. There will be, I dare say, some â€˜oohâ€™s â€˜ and â€˜aahhâ€™sâ€™ about this, but I speak from experience. Years ago I had a neighbour/friend who was a qualified electrician. He also taught himself electronics. Added to that, he was a veritable wizard with anything mechanical. I never saw anything mechanical, electrical or electronic he couldnâ€™t fix. I had a cd player where the draw had jammed. He came over, pressed the button to eject, then physically pulled and manipulated the draw until he pressed the eject button again and it worked ever since. He told me that the system worked on a rack and pinion and if they slipped, then the draw would not reach the limit switch that told the electronics to open or close. Careful manipulation could pull/push the gearing back into synch. I have used this successfully on cd drives in my old pc. I donâ€™t suggest you try this unless you have nothing to lose. And as drwho07 says, in todayâ€™s era of cheap drives a cd drive is now Â£5 (UK) or less! A DVD re-writer can be bought in the UK for under Â£20 with software. Just a little bit of information. All adds to the colour (excuse my UK spelling!) of Lockergnome!

mommabear · Joined: Feb 20, 2003 Posts: 6121

FWIW, about 2 years ago I got a nice LG combo CD/DVD writer for somewhere between $35-$40 at Walmart. It's still working great. Came with Nero, but sorry doc, I don't use it. Wink

profhig · Joined: Sep 06, 2003 Posts: 239 Location: Tamworth, UK