Problem with CD tray

I tried to close the cd tray on my tower, but it is stuck in the open
position and won't budge. Anyone know any quick fixes for this problem?

 

Push it back in?

Should be posted in hardware.

 

Laura,
Thanks for directing me to the right forum. Kudos.

Annie

 

Most (if not all) CD drives have a tiny little hole in the front for a paper clip if the drive gets stuck in the closed position. But it might work in this case also: straighten out a paper clip and leave one end bent for a handle. Slide the straight end into the little hole, try to go in and remain as level and straight as possible. Keep going until the clip hits something. Now continue to apply pressure until you feel the object you hit move. Remove the clip and push the open/close button. If it won't close,insert the clip again as before, and when you hit 'the wall' keep pushing with the clip, push the open/close button (with the clip still in this time) if it doesn't close still, keep pressure on the clip and try to push the tray in. If it still won't close, remove the clip and try turning off the PC, and turning it on again. Sometimes when the PC is powered back on, it will 'reset' the drive and allow it to close.... good luck!!!

hd2k

 

Has the computer been restarted since this happened ?

If CD or DVD drives go up the creek (assuming it's not a mechanical problem) turn the computer off completely. Not just a restart, because power carries on going to everywhere. Then start it up again.

If it's the loading mechanism that's jammed, things might not be so good. Teeth can break off the drive cogs, or other plastic parts of it can break or get jammed. If you're good with mechanical stuff you could take it carefully out of the computer and dismantle it to have a look what's wrong.

Or use it as an ashtray while it's there and buy another one that works.

(sorry, couldn't help saying that) rolleyes

 

Turn the computer off before trying anything. I once knocked out my CD tray and couldn't get it back in until I turned it off because of the rigid gears when it's on. Once you turn it off, try taking it out, then pushing it in straight. It should just slide in (with the exception of a couple clicks) and work fine once you boot up again.

 

A CD/DVD tray should be able to be pushed back in (powered or not powered) with a firm but gentle push. If it doesn't, then disassembly of the drive is required. Either something inside has broken off, or is otherwise mechanically jammed.

Once removed from the machine, there's (generally) only four small Phillips head screws to be removed from the bottom of the drive. A gentle prying of the upper case/cover will usually free the upper casing, and then the three or four small "lock_tabs" holding the front bezel can be pushed inward to free the bezel. It should loosely slide outward around the open tray. (Resist the urge to disengage the tray fully from the drive.) Only remove the upper casing. Leave the lower casing attached to the drive.

Have a look to see what is preventing the tray from closing. You'll see the tray release mechanism which hopperdave2000 mentioned (behind the tiny hole in the front bezel). See if there is anything blocking it's movement. If you find broken parts and not just dust etc buidup, bite the bullet and obtain a new CDROM/DVD.