cd/dvd drive not working

deckmilit · #1 02-11-2008, 01:58 AM

i'm still not sure if this is a software or a hardware issue, but I guess I will start here. I have a basic knowledge of computers, but nothing too advanced so i really need your help. I recently tried to use my cd dvd drive and i noticed the light, that is usually only on when you insert a cd, is constantly blinking. So i pressed the button and nothing happens, I hold the button still nothing. I went to my computer and noticed there is no drive d, which is what my cd dvd drive usually is, so I manually opened the drive with a pin and put a cd to see if maybe i could get it to boot up somehow, nothing. I went into my device manager, and can't find the drive in there at all. The first thing I though was the drivers, but i can't ever find them, and I also thought about the physical connection inside the computer, but I don't really know. I should mention its a laptop. I have a dell inspiron 6000. I have not found any other major problems other than the fact that the whole computer is getting slow. The only connection i could figure these two might have would be if i got a virus, but i've never heard of a virus targeting a cd drive. I should also mention that i tried deleting the upper and lower filters in the regedit. PLEASE PLEASE help. I would reinstall windows, but i don't have a working drive, so I would like if someone knew what the h*&^ was going on. PLease and thank you

Disk_Contented · #2 02-11-2008, 10:29 PM

"but i've never heard of a virus targeting a cd drive."
There was. They used to make the tray go in and out like a cuckoo clock.

I would have said more of a hardware issue. The cable, power lead, Mainboard, or maybe even the drive itself.
Possibly the bios settings. Set the drive to use UDMA 2 in the BIOS IDE section. Sometimes the "auto" setting causes trouble. If you don't see the drive listed there, then it's definately hardware.

fritzi93 · #3 02-12-2008, 03:09 AM

It seems like a hardware problem to me as well. Check the connections, see if the drive shows up in the BIOS, etc. The drive may simply be dead.

deckmilit · #4 02-13-2008, 06:03 PM

thanks guys. Im starting to think it is a hardware problem, and it unfortunate because i got a laptop. desktops im familiar enough with building them, but im not sure how easy/difficult this is and aircraft mechanics isnt a background that helps with troubleshooting or fixing a computer, but i'll try to check the connections and maybe just buy an external.