Alienware M15x - Grinding Noise on Start Up (Optical Drive?)

I recently bought my new alienware laptop and suddenly there is an issue. Every time I turn it on, there is a loud, obnoxious grinding noise coming from what appears to be the optical drive. It only last 3-5 seconds but it's obviously very abnormal It hadn't started making this noise until after a few days of use.

I have already called Alienware Support and have been browsing the web looking for people with the same problem as myself. Unfortunately, after troubleshooting on the phone for a few hours, Alienware told me it was normal. (Apparently the guy had the same model in front of him and made the same noise on start up.) He explained that the sound came from the optical drive and that it is likely there because of the "new" drive the laptops come with. Rather than having a drawer that opens and closes, this computer has a slot (unsure of technical name.) It's very, very hard to believe that it could make such a disgusting noise. I've already tried numerous things to make it stop on my own however I can't make it go away.

Is it normal for the so-called "new optical drives" to be so obnoxious on start up? If not, what should I do?

Info: Never been dropped, CD/DVD's work fine (noise remains with disc in on start up), it's neither the fans nor the hard drive, grinding is on start up only.

Any advice or help is greatly appreciated.

 

So there is no noise coming from the drive when there is no disc during a fresh boot?

 

There is noise no matter what during start up, with or without disc.

 

Are you sure its not just the sounds of the fans? On the m17x the fans initially turn on high during bios post and then die down.

 

I am positive...it sounds like metal on metal grinding...and it's right where the optical drive is. I've also opened it up to check.

 

I don't know if I'm hearing the same sound, but my Asus G51vx does that at boot, too. I'd assume it's normal.

 

My alienware m15x started the same noise. Did you find a solution to the problem?

 

take the optical drive out of the bios startup/bootup sequence.

 

just got this issue! any help!

 

It sounds like the GPU or CPU fan, I had the same problem. If it's under warrenty, call Dell, if not figure out which one it is and buy a new fan.

 

Just wondering if anyone has found out what this actually is yet. My M17X just started doing it yesterday and I've had it for over a year now.

 

I am getting a similar noise upon start-up of a brand-new Sony Vaio (Sony VAIO S Series SVS13122CXR, see at Sony VAIO 13.3" Performance Laptop | VAIO S Series 13 Laptop | SVS13122CXR | Sony USA). A very harsh sound, lasting maybe 2-3 second, almost immediately upon powering up. Always sounds the same. This laptop has the same slot-type optical drive you describe on your ultrabook, and the sound definitely is coming from the direction of that optical drive slot. When I put a CD or DVD into the slot, then cycle power off, then back on, the noise is markedly different (quieter & milder). And when I first put the disc in the slot, there is a similar (but not exactly the same) set of noises that come from the same part of the laptop (the optical drive area), while the disc gets queued up. To further confirm the diagnosis, both sets of sounds are extremely similar to the little electric servo-motors that our old JVC camcorder made when transporting a mini-cassette into position, or ejecting it. So, in the case of this laptop, I am not terribly concerned about the sounds. I think they at worst a design flaw, but not a manufacturing defect.