CDROM drive's tray giving trouble.

[Ovi]

Hi everyone
I have a Creative Infra 48x CDROM drive whose tray has suddenly acquired a mind of its own. Whenever the tray is ejected, it either immediately goes back inside, or if it doesn’t, then the slightest touch will make it go inside. As a result, putting CDs on it is very difficult, in fact, I usually have to hold the tray with my hand while putting the CD on it, to prevent it from going back in.
Now the thing is that this happened a few months back also. At that time, due to an unrelated incident of my comp refusing to boot up, I had to open the box to reseat the processor, which had come loose. But when the comp booted up, I found that the CD drive problem was also gone! The tray started behaving normally and would not go in on its own unless pushed hard, as it is supposed to be.
But since the problem is back now, how do I correct it? The drive is otherwise working normally.
Thanks in anticipation of your replies
Ovi

[Ovi]

Some more info
The CDROM Drive is set as secondary master while the hard disk is primary master
Waiting for your replies
Ovi

[Brian R.]

I suppose you've tried opening your computer and removing and reseating the cpu?

[Ovi]

Hi Brian
I opened the computer and pushed the CPU down into it's slot,but it didn't help.But last time when that boot problem occured,I had removed and then reseated the processor.Are these the same or should I again remove and then reseat the processor?
Thanks
Ovi

[Pace]

I presume you've hit a cable when reseating the processor last time and fluked the CD-ROM fix. Try checking the CD IDE cable and the power cable to see if they are seated correctly. Also check the IDE cable's at the motherboard end and any other devices. Alternatively, change to a different cable completely.

Paul.

[Wombat]

Ovi,
I had an old drive that would do that. It maybe that there is dirt preventing the drive from opening fully, so it closes. Taking the case off of the CD-ROM drive isn't for everybody, but it might just need a cleaning. Then again, it might be drive-open switch that needs cleaning.

But if the drive is actually going, I don't know what to recommend. I doubt the processor itself is involved, but maybe the electronic connection in the drive is going screwy. In my particular case, I began using the paperclip method to use the emergency eject. This usually will not engage the tray's motor.

[Ovi]

Pace:I reseated all the cables,incl the power one,but no effect
Wombat: I am also now beginning to think that its a problem with the tray open switch,involving dirt,since the tray has become quite dirty.The drive recently crossed its warranty period,so I can't even return it or something
Maybe the last time when I opened the comp,the drive got shaken in the process and got fixed or something?
Another thing-does the drive's tray-open switch also act as a pressure-on-the-tray sensor? Because if the tray doesn't go in on its own,then a slight touch to the tray makes it go in!
Any other suggestions?
Thanks for your replies
Ovi

[This message has been edited by Ovi (edited 23 September 2000).]

[Wombat]

No, those are two different mechanisms. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear, but I think either/both could be dirty.
I'm leaning towards the pressure sensor right now.

[Ovi]

Hi Wombat
I'm also now quite sure about the pressure sensor now
But there's a funny thing about that too.When the drive last went screwy,touching and slightly pushing the tray from the right side used to send it in,but now that doesn't happen at all-now slightly pushing the tray from the underside sends it in!! If its the pressure switch,then this behaviour shouldn't be there!! Oh well
Thanks
Cheers
Ovi

[paul]

at least your tray opens. My Technics cd deck wont open unless I hit eject and jiggle the draw left to right

[Ovi]

I wish I had a slot loading CD-Drive-no tray,no problems!!!!
Cheers
Ovi

[DentyCracker]

I have an old Sony 8X that only ejects under an OS command