opening a dvd drive that wont open

[zed]

Right forum?

OK - for the last 6 months Ive had problems opening the dvd drive Ill have to click on the open button for up to 5 minutes before it opens

OK today it gave up the ghost

So try to fix it (no go) anyways

Look for a new one online in my town (only option is external but thats another rant, like me trying to buy an internel HD a couple of months ago)
OK so I go down to the dump, 40 cd players but zero dvd players.
OK so grab the dvd player out of the macintoish stick it in the PC, & it also doesnt open!!!!
unbelievable coincidence (too much of a coincidence)
it does exactly the same as the last dvd player, click on open, & it spins and makes a clicking noise but doesnt open.
Im wondering if something else could be preventing the player from opening, no idea what it could be.
Same result in linux/windows so its not software
Has anyone experienced anything like this before? Any solutions?

NOTE - I used to repair PC hardware for a living

ta zed

 

[AlNom]

Bad power connector?

 

[hoom]

Most drives have a hole for emergency ejection.
long sturdy bit of wire (normally one in the retail box with the drive but likely to be lost) pushed in there will allow you to eject the disc.

I believe I've had this issue with a particular damaged disc but also bad power connector seems familiar.
Oh also check master/slave jumper.

PS: Some cases subtly get in the way of the drive ejecting so make sure its clear.

 

[Davros]

does it fail to open when you right click on the cd icon and select eject ?

 

[zed]

OK thanks guys it was the power connector, which seems strange as I had stuck nothing in the machine to change the powerdrain over the last 2 months, so no idea why it would fail (it was getting some power just not enuf or something), hopefully this means my other dvd drive is actually OK as well.

what do ppl do when a part like this fails, buy a new PC?
eg a couple of months ago I needed a new HD, easy I thought pop down to the shop & buy one 1TB should never fill up.
http://dicksmith.co.nz/computers/drives-storage/hard-drives-cases
36 external HD & zero internal HDs!!
internal is better cause of 2 reasons, faster & less likely to get knocked
so when did this happen that internal HDs are non existant (Im sure I could order them over the internet) but its nice to go to a shop & pick one up instantly, same deal with DVD/CD players years ago I could go to the shop & buy one, now my only option are external ones, madness

 

[Davros]

internal is better cause of 2 reasons, faster

not if you get an e-sata one

 

[hoom]

what do ppl do when a part like this fails, buy a new PC?

Specialist PC shops not retail chains like DSE or Noel Leeming.

Basically use pricespy.co.nz to find whoever has best price including shipping or is close enough, has stock of what I want & is in walking distance of work at lunch.

 

[zed]

Specialist PC shops not retail chains like DSE or Noel Leeming.

Basically use pricespy.co.nz to find whoever has best price including shipping or is close enough, has stock of what I want & is in walking distance of work at lunch.

cheers for the link
Though Im in Nelson, thus the nearest decent specialist shop is in chch (a 5 hour drive away)

 

[hoom]

No PC shops in Nelson O_O
Most of them deliver nationwide by courierpost, plenty include free shipping.

Part of the trick is spotting the ones where Price + Shipping works out cheaper/more expensive than Price + Free shipping.

http://www.pp.co.nz is based in Wellie, their prices inc GST & free shipping.