Dell Dimension 2400 CD-rom problem

[Unregistered]

My original drive will not open anymore; it is jammed somehow. I tried all of the software attempts that I know of to get it to open to no avail. How do I get into the hardware itself to get it to open manually?

As an alternative, I have a Samsung Writemaster DVD Burner, CD player etc. just lying around that I can replace it with. I am good enough figuring how to run software but a total newbie as far as opening up a computer an installing hardware. How hard do you think this would be for me given the model and my experience level?

Thanks for you help!

:)Steve

Webjay - Newgrass, Prog & More! Web Radio on Live365.com

[chuckcmagee]

Find a paper clip. Straighten it out (like 1/2 of it). Find a tiny hole on the front of the cd-rom drive. Push the straighten paper clip into the tiny hole. Should unlock the door.

[Unregistered]

It worked, Chuck. The problem was the installation mini-CD for my optical mouse. I had never put a mini in before and my aged drive did not like it.

The CD rom drive works fine now. :)

Now - On a scale of 1 - 10, with 1 being "this guy should never, under any circumstances, open that pc up" to 10 "he should be able to do it blindfolded even as a beginner", how hard would you rate me installing the new Samsung DVD/CD etc. to replace the aging CD only drive that you just told me how to fix.

:)Steve

[chuckcmagee]

I have no idea what your mechanical skills are like. It is about mid-level as far as how hard it is. You have to make sure the jumpers on the new drive are set correctly and the old and new drives should be the same type of drive (like both IDE or both SCSI). I would recommend taking it to a PC repair place and have them do it. There are tons of undocumented "tricks" that you need to know or have a good manual for the PC in front of you. Experience does matter and even now, I'm not very good at removing parts that are soldered in, for example.

[Yzzerdd]

Go for it. Laptops are a tad hard, but on a PC, that should be like a walk in the park on a sunny day in San Fransisco. That is definatley rated a 10 for someone who works in computers alot. I guess about a 6 2/3 for someone who has never opened one in their life. Unscrew the old drive, undo the wires, and slide it out. On some systems you have to pop the front plate of the computer off, but that is as simple as unlatching a few clips, and pulling. Once the old drive is, out, put it aside, Use it as a coaster. Now, if this is a one drive system, without a doubt set the drive to "master" using jumpers. If it is a two drive system, set the drive to "cable select," or "CS." That info should be located somewhere on the drive, the internet, or the drives manual. from there, slip the drive in, re-hook the cables, and screw it into place. Put the cover back on, without redoing the screws for it. Boot the system, play a music CD. If something goes wrong, turn it off, take off the cover, and ask us what to do. If it all works, CAREFULLY screw the screws back on the case. If you are clumsy, I would reccomend shutting the system off, so no bumps hurt it.

--Ryan

[Terry Yager]

Now - On a scale of 1 - 10, with 1 being "this guy should never, under any circumstances, open that pc up" to 10 "he should be able to do it blindfolded even as a beginner"

:)Steve

See this thread for an example of zero on your scale:

http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?t=8512

--T

[Unregistered]

This is sure a helpful place, guys. I stumbled upon it using a Google search and thought that I'd give it a try. I am glad that I did. :)

I will decide what to do this coming weekend and will let you know that decision.

I will also join as a member. Maybe some folks have some internet radio and computers or rural-living with computers questions that I can help answer.

Thanks again - I'll be in touch.

:)Steve S-N

Newgrass, Prog & More! Web Radio & Interviews on Live365.com
Tidewater, Virginia, USA

[Yzzerdd]

See this thread for an example of zero on your scale:

http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?t=8512

--T

hehehe, I have been following that one for awhile. Good stuff! :pI dunno how he managed to kill the thing while it was off, I guess the switch let off some discharge or something...