Precision M6800 DVD noise or defective DVD drive

Now the screen flickers every time DVD reads without any cd/dvd inside..

Help!

reboot

F12

run Dell Diagnostics

Did the long diagnostics and took almost 1hr, all passed!

Problem still exist, 15-25min of use, DVD reads w/o dvd/cd and screen flicker/hiccups.

Now I have to disable switchable graphics in BIOS to use Fire Pro. I checked all tutorials already for switchable but no good, maybe I have to wait more for Dell update..

thank you for reply

I have the same problema with del PM 6800; what wait dell to answer about this problem?????

please if you have some fixed please will send emal to <ADMIN NOTE: Email id removed per privacy policy>

tks

Same issue here with A03 BIOS - still makes the annoying click, just less frequently.  Did not have the issue with the monitor though that you reported.  Have had my share of blue screen of death at random times. 

My solution - just disable the DVD altogether in the BIOS.  Well - works for me at least because I never use DVD.

I think this is bleeding edge product and may take time to see improvements.  I can't even get the dell automatic driver update app thing to work - says it does not recognize my product. 

yeah! Dell automatic update app is non working too..but its a 2keuro+++ workstation right?

I wish I could say the DVD was my biggest problem.  Seems like the video card or driver is having some problems and just totally freezing up periodically.  I downloaded the latest AMD FirePro driver (from AMD web site) and so far so good.  The Intel HD graphics card though - the driver is still from June 2013 but I cannot install the one directly on Intel website because it says something about only taking updates from Dell (and Dell's latest is from June 2013).

I am not really clear on which of these 2 video devices the system really runs on.  Why are there are two anyway? 

And a final gripe, the fan keeps cycling on and off with this weird high pitched click every time.

Don't get me started about the 2keuro.  I purchased it for my wife to do her work, so you can only imagine the torture I receive when it locks up.  ;) 

To add with the video card, on some of the programs I use seems like its not working on proper high performance "fire pro" rather working on Intel graphics card only. Switchable graphics is buggy for now. So every time DVD reads nothing the monitor flickers. Fan also is a bit unusual kicks to high revs.

Lucky me its for mine and not for the wifey..:emotion-2:

I'm on my 3rd M6800 from Dell and every one of them had an issue with DVD buzzing every 2 to 3 minutes even after updating bios to their recommended A03 & Chipset update. The wireless 1550 Card has also not worked properly on all three systems. Dell expects their customers to do their trouble shooting for them. I'm very disappointed with the M6800. If you look on the web this is a reoccurring problem with the M6800 that Dell lets you try to address. My advice: Stay away from the M6800 and Dell's customer based trouble shooting system.
Thanks Dell, Disappointed 

Try downloading the latest AMD FirePro driver from the AMD web site.  It has an driver detect app that figures out what to download automagically, and unlike the Intel site, it actually lets you install it - though I did get a warning at the end of the install saying it was not totally happy with me.

I only say this because yesterday was the first full day that the home MIS department (me) was not called to action.  Could be coincidence, if I can get through a full week without a blue screen or freeze up, then I'll call it good enough (DVD and fan clicking be damned).  If not, this puppy is going back to its maker.

All my three M6800s went back to their maker and this buyer is heading to HP ZBOOK!

Same drive problem even though mine was shipped with A03 BIOS, no blue screen issues though.  Would really appreciate an acceptable fix to the drive noise issue, disabling a drive on $2000.00 + computer isn't acceptable.  Planning on opening a case with Dell in the morning.

I have the exact same problem as well... Also shipped with A03

Apparently it is a fan that makes the noise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsYhlUMv77Q

Please keep us other folk posted if you make any progress on the issue.  I agree that disabling a drive is like amputating someone's foot if they sprain an ankle but I am guessing that there will eventually be a fix and returning the laptop with all the apps and data already installed is a major headache.

I can say that for anyone having freeze ups / blue screens using the AMD FirePro graphic card - the driver I installed from the AMD web site has SOLVED THE PROBLEM.   System has been stable for 4 days ever since I updated it.

I removed the DVD drive, and the noise has stopped.  Will continue to monitor the situation to verify with 100% certainty that the drive was the problem.  Will be calling tech support in an hour or so.