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    noisy DVD ROM seek every time a media file is played or itunes is opened

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by Howie_UK, Jul 17, 2012.

  1. Howie_UK

    Howie_UK Newbie

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    Does anyone know how to stop this most annoying habit my M18x R2 has? It is quite noisy as the Blu-Ray drive makes each time a media file is opened (Win amp, Windows media player, Windows Media Centre or iTunes) or iTunes is started

    Any answers (other than ear plugs) appreciated.

    :confused:
     
    Howie_UK, Jul 17, 2012
    #1
  2. jt-3

    jt-3 Notebook Consultant

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    Bump to see if anyone has found an answer to this.

    I recently had my M18x replaced with an R2. My 1st gen never accessed the Blu-Ray drive all the time like the R2 does. Did something change?
     
    jt-3, Aug 17, 2012
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  3. BrickTop

    BrickTop Notebook Consultant

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    I've got the same problem using a fresh install or the dell factory image. Didn't happen on the R1
     
    BrickTop, Aug 17, 2012
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  4. naldor

    naldor Notebook Consultant

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    Its on the r4 2, it happens randoms, and when I open itunes etc :p
     
    naldor, Aug 17, 2012
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  5. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    If it only happens when launching a media player it sounds like an issue with the player software configuration. Have you already tried turning off some special annoying features in iTunes?

    If you cannot find anything there, look in the AutoPlay applet in the Windows Control Panel and see if there is something you can disable (set to "Take no action"). Try clearing the checkbox for "Use AutoPlay for all media and devices" and that might stop it.

    AutoPlay.jpg AutoPlay Disabled.jpg
     
    Mr. Fox, Aug 18, 2012
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  6. BrickTop

    BrickTop Notebook Consultant

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    Ive had it happen when waking from sleep and logging in. It happens every time you switch to the itunes window, even if itunes is already running in the background. It's definitely something weird.

     
    BrickTop, Aug 19, 2012
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  7. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Launch MSCONFIG, go to the Startup tab and see if iTunes is automatically loading in the background with Windows. I don't use iTunes so I cannot check, but it probably is. If you see it there, uncheck the box for it, close MSCONFIG and reboot.
     
    Mr. Fox, Aug 19, 2012
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  8. Howie_UK

    Howie_UK Newbie

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    The problem exists across several media programs and sometimes just when "it wants to". Please, be clear - this is not an itunes only problem.
     
    Howie_UK, Aug 23, 2012
    #8
  9. SlimShady

    SlimShady ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒ&

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    Same noisy drive issue here, but only when it's accessing a CD or DVD. Sounds like rocks in a can. Reads fine, haven't tried to write any files yet, but the noise is very noticable and not at all normal. I've sent a PM to a rep on here to document it since I can't have it serviced here in AFG.
     
    SlimShady, Aug 23, 2012
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  10. Chinexican

    Chinexican Notebook Enthusiast

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    Any update on this issue? My R2 is also accessing the optical drive whenever the iTunes window is launched/or just clicked on, as well as other media programs.
     
    Chinexican, Aug 27, 2012
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  11. juliant

    juliant Notebook Deity

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    I think the issue is actually because your devices go on standby. I am talking about dvd-rom sau bluray, whatever you have; when you start that media player, the dvd-rom wakes up and that is why you hear that sound. Even when you reboot you will hear the same sound. As long nothing happens to the system, there is no reason to worry about it. I think Mr. Fox posted somewhere how do fix this issue...
     
    juliant, Aug 27, 2012
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  12. Oh Hi.

    Oh Hi. Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is there a fix to this problem yet? it is a tad annoying to close the lid to the laptop, then have to get up in the middle of the night when it would randomly make that noise, I can't put the laptop on sleep either cause I risk the audio not working :(
     
    Oh Hi., Dec 16, 2014
    #12