M17x R1 stuck slot load help

I can't believe my luck. I was inserting a SD card to my M17x on the right side, but accidentally I shoved it into the Blu-ray slot load drive! As I tried to dig it out, it went further in... and I'm afraid I have no way of getting to it from the out side...

I'm here for any suggestions on getting it out without calling Dell. Appreciate any help.

 

Before you try sticking any object into the drive, make sure you unplug the notebook and take out the battery. Also push the power button in a few times to drain any excess electricity running around.

Can you still see the SD card in there?

 

Well, it's very hard to see since there are those soft flaps covering the opening. I hear no rattling when I shake the laptop a bit either... I have no idea where it could be in there and what objects I should use to try and grab it.

 

I've seen a post like this before, though this is obviously a new one. so i can say you're definitely not the first.

moral of the story: don't go sticking your thing into random holes. xD

 

you may have to open up the laptop and get direct access to the drive

 

Yeah, but is it possible to open up the drive itself without damaging it?

I'm probably never going to use an SD card again on this computer after this... lol.

 

yes if you get to the DVD drive directly you will have a larger opening from the front slot load opening to get to the SD card.

If it has worked it's way inside the drive, there are screws to remove the top cover of the drive as well.

 

nemoris,

I had an employee of ours do that with a MacBook Pro.

If you're careful this trick will work to get it out....
You'll need a popsicle stick and some double-sided tape.

Take about an inch piece of double-sided tape and attach it securely to the bottom of a clean popsicle stick.

Now insert the stick into the drive (WARNING: Only go about an inch inside). You'll kindof have to feel side-to-side carefully but the tape should stick to the card and with any luck you'll be able to pull it out.

EXTREME CAUTION is highly recommended... If you hit the lens (about 2" inside) you're SOL. Only option at that point is a new drive.

This trick does work but it takes alot of patience and care not to cause major damage.

 

You might want to try this.
If you have a thin piece of plastic (the thickness of a cd/dvd) that you can slide into the slot then "hook" the SD card from behind and push/pull it out.
I would suggest a plastic ruler (thin) and just push it in straight (being careful not to push the SD card in more) then angle it until it is behind the SD card then pull the ruler out and hopefully the SD card along with it.

Oh and don't go in too far (as I just noticed Denver also mentioned) as you don't want to damage the lens.
Either way, good luck.

D.

 

wow. no one got my joke. awesome.

 

i got it . the double side tape thing really works when u got something stuck in there.

 

for SD cards inside of a slot load DVD drive... works wonders. ++Rep

 

Appreciate all the replies! And well, I've tried Denver's suggestion without much luck (the external slot is too thin for me pull out the stick and sd card at the same time... or it's because I can't seem to get it to stick since I have no idea where the card actually is inside)... I really hope I didn't hit the lens...

I'm going to have to open it up, but I can't seem to find Moo's guide on that stuff. Can someone direct me?

Thanks!

 

nemoris,

Go to support.dell.com and click on 'manuals' in the left-hand column. You can download the service manual... It's easy to follow and totally step-by-step.

- Denver

 

It is a lot of work to get to the optical drive. If you are not tech savvy I would recommend going to somebody who is. Taking the optical drive out is almost as much work as replacing the motherboard.

The service manual tell you step by step on how to get to the drive. Make sure you do proper screw management or you will be screwed.

 

But would following the steps exactly get me through the process okay? I've never opened up my M17x before, but I have opened other laptops before.

Thanks again.

 

Something similiar happened to me before, I stuck a memory pro duo inside my sd slot and was stuck. Took it to geek squad and they got it out in 2mins.

 

I would not use carbard. I would use Plastic. If you have a Dremal shape the plastic into L shape. One side pointy but not to a point where it would break. So you can slide the plastic L behind the Item. Then use another Plastic stick semi Pointy so when you insert it it pushes stuck item into a L then slowly Pull out.

A old Pair of wireframe Glasses might work If the ear part almost L shape and plastic and a Plastic stick or plastic scewdriver.

I would not use Wood or Metal

 

Big thanks to the glasses suggestion, I gave it a go and it worked!

I'm not sure if I damaged the drive though. It reads stuff fine, and maybe it's just me, but it seems to make louder insert/eject noises now. Maybe.