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    Disc Drive not responding

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by justasomeone, Jun 16, 2011.

  1. justasomeone

    justasomeone Notebook Enthusiast

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    I never had this problem before, in fact, the last time I used the cddrive was when I was reformatting.

    Now whenever I put any disc in, I hear it reading, but in the end, nothing happens.

    When i double click on the disc icon on My Computer it just ejects my disk and asks me to insert one.

    So again, I put in the windows installation cd but it doesn't read it. I try to boot and load from cd but I don't even get the "Boot from CD" message.

    Help.
     
  2. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    Sounds like a defective drive. Do you still have warranty on your system? Then I'd call Dell.

    Do you need to reinstall Windows right now? You could still do it per USB.
     
  3. Jdpurvis

    Jdpurvis Notebook Evangelist

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    I agree - it sounds like the drive may be bad. You might try cleaning the lens - you can get a disk for this at BB or Radio Snack. You could also try uninstalling and reinstalling it under Device Manager, in case the driver got mangled.

    If you're under warranty, they should send you a new one - if not, they are not very expensive. Of course, you could use this opportunity to replace the CD with a second hard disk as some have done...

    Joe
     
  4. JWest

    JWest Master of Notebookery

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    That happens to mine sometimes, actually. A reboot will fix it usually. Also, try a power drain. That almost always fixes it for me. Not sure why it happens, but it seems to be more of a general system communication/driver problem, not a device problem for me.
     
  5. justasomeone

    justasomeone Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi.

    Yes, I'm still under warranty.

    Would I have to send in my laptop as a whole? Or would they ship me the part?

    Thanks.
     
  6. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    They'll come to your place and replace it. Next business day service... if you call them today you should have the part tomorrow.