CD/DVD drive will not open...Need advice!!

Question

I am in need of your wisdom...My daughter gave me a Dell SE198WFP as a gift...I'm running Windows 7 at present...I use Winamp for my music player, but I would like to rip a few of my CD's, and here's where I'm having a problem...

When I tried to access the CD/DVD player, it will not open...It makes this little squeaky sound like a rusted hinge, as if it's trying to work but then stops...

Could one of you kind folks tell me what to do??

I'm having to learn this new computer without any help from anyone....My old computer was a 10-year-old (inherited from my dad) Aprevia Q-X2 that my nephew rebuilt from scratch...I had Windows Vista on it and it worked it's little sweet, gallant heart out and finally gave up the ghost last week...

I would appreciate any help that you folks can give...Thank you...

Sincerely, JANET COOPER (<ADMIN NOTE: Email id removed per privacy policy>)

osprey4 · Answer

Hi Janet, Thanks for creating a new thread. I really need the model of your Dell. In addition, please explain exactly what you are doing to open the drive.

Doom1 · Answer

Is there a small hole on the front of the drive ? If so take a paper clip ( and straighten it out) insert into hole and gently push the paper clip in until you feel the drive caddy open.

Hope this helps.

ieee488 · Answer

Hello!!! Sorry about not answering...Am just wiped out...

Serial # on my Dell is: [Admin note, service tag removed per TOS] - Model # is DGMA --

He's asking for the Dell PC model.

There is no such model # DGMA.

Also, Dell SE198WFP is a monitor. Not a PC.

Without proper information, you will never get your problem solved.

RealJanetCoop · Answer

Hello!!! Sorry about not answering...Am just wiped out...

Serial # on my Dell is: [Admin note, service tag removed per TOS] - PROCESSOR: AMD Athlon 64 X Dual Core 4400

Running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit

There's a sticker on the top of the computer that I think is a product key; the # on it is: [Admin note, Windows key deleted]

I haven't really done much of anything because I don't know what I'm doing...I'm an old lady of 62 without any technical know-how or experience...Everything I know has been learned by doing, kind of like hooking up a new stereo...I am pretty computer-illiterate...

I ran the Dell Diagnostics and everything else seems to be running perfectly, except for the DVD/CD drive; they ran their tests on it and it came back as FAILED...

osprey4 · Answer

Janet,

Ok, you have a Dell Inspiron 531 desktop.

First of all, let me tell you that I'm 60, and do NOT consider myself to be old. So 62 does not fall under my definition of an old lady. I bike ride with several guys over 80, and they all consider me to be young. :emotion-3:

I assume you are trying to open the DVD drive by pushing the button on the front of the desktop. Please try this. Click the Start button, then click Computer. Locate the drive letter for your DVD drive. Right click that drive and select Eject. Tell me if the drive tray opens.

RealJanetCoop · Answer

10:58 AM (6 minutes ago) to Dell Hello!! No, it did not open...It clicked & squeaked like it was trying hard, but it did not open...I tried the paper clip trick that the other poster mentioned, but I could not get any help that way either...I was terrified the clip was going to fall into the hole & get lost...I guess I'm just gonna hafta get a new drive or find somebody who knows *** they're doing.. My daughter got this from a friend and gave it to me, but I don't have the booklet or paperwork or warranty info.... Do I qualify for a freebie (on the CD drive)?? Or can something be done via the internet?? I truly appreciate your help in this matter...Thank you!! Sincerely, JANET COOPER

osprey4 · Answer

Janet,

EDIT: Doom1 posted as I was writing my reply. I agree it's worth a shot with the paperclip before following my recommendation below.

That drive definitely needs to be replaced, but this procedure is very easy. If you can clean the crumbs out of a toaster, you have all the necessary skills. :emotion-1:

You'll find the owner's manual with the replacement instructions here.

A new DVD drive will only cost you $20-25. Here are some drives at Newegg, a very reputable vendor. There are no settings or software changes needed for the new drive, just the physical replacement.

Doom1 · Answer

Just to clarify, turn the computer off, use a "giant" paper clip, bend it straight but leave enough "unbent" so as to be able to hold it securely. Insert it into the hole in the front of the caddy door an apply very light pressure until the door pops open. As long as you hold onto the paper clip it will NOT fall into the hole. If this does not work you may have a disk "jammed" in the drive, which may have damaged it.

Have another go at it!

Storage, Drives & Media

CD/DVD drive will not open...Need advice!!

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