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General => Technical Help => Topic started by: charlotteCH on Friday 03 September 10 07:56 BST (UK)
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A DVD just won't eject from a Dell Laptop running Win7 Home Premium.
It's a data and pics DVD.
Is it a matter of drivers or what please, and how do I solve this?
Simple terminology needed as I'm no techie ;D
Thanks, and any help much appreciated.
charlotte
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Hi Charlotte, have you tried shutting down completely?, shut your laptop down wait a few minuets(I go and make a cuppa) then start it up again, do you have your laptop, this is a bit of a daft question, on your lap I ask because sometimes this happens to me when my laptop has gotten a bit hot.
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If you just want to eject the disc (prior to having it sorted), look for small hole in facia of drive.
Using something like a straightened paperclip, insert clip into hole to enable disc to be removed.
Brian
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Thank you both for your answers.
Poll, I've tried that but it doesn't solve the problem.
Brian, I can't see any small hole and I've held the laptop under strong light, so don't know if I'm daft or there just isn't a hole such as you describe.
Thanks again.
charlotte
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Hi Charlotte,
On my laptop the hole is by the eject button. The hole is about the size of a pinhead.
Cheers
KHP :)
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Thanks khp
Still can't see it nr the eject button.
charlotte
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Charlotte,
Maybe your laptop doesn't have a pinhole.
You might have to try entering the BIOS and set to load safe mode and then try the eject method.
Have you tried selecting the dvd drive and then ejecting from there?
Someone more technie may have the solution for you.
Cheers
KHP :)
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khp, Laptop doesn't seem to have a pinhole.
Don't know about entering BIOS etc.. I'm not a techiw unfortunately.
thanks,
charlotte
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Have you tried RIGHT clicking the link to your CD/DVD Drive on your desktop, then selecting 'reject' ?
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Hi Charlotte
Will go switch on my identical laptop and see if I can help.
My first thought was the same as lookingforold's :)
Gadget
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I presume Win7 works like other Windows laptops. This is the only way I can eject CDs/DVDs from my laptop -
Click on Start, click on Computer, there you should see DVD RW Drive or similar. Right click on that and then click on eject.
Lizzie
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Ok.
There are only two ways to do it with these 'suck in drives' as far as I can see:
1. You should have a CD/DVD icon on your task bar at the bottom of your screen. Right click on that and select Eject.
2. Click on Start and select Computer. Right click on the DVD icon and select Eject.
Gadget
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This solution was posted on the Tech Tweaks Forum - I haven't tried it personally so .....
1. Switch off the laptop
2. Press the power button to switch it on.
3. Instantly after pressing the power button, start pressing " F2 " key on the keyboard to enter the BIOS setting.
4. Now press/touch the " eject button " of the DVD drive and now you are done, you will get the disc out.
Other sites recommend trying to download updated drivers from the Dell site which may be an option.
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Hi Falkyrn
There's no physical eject button on these machines - just the right click option.
Gadget
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Hi Falkyrn
There's no physical eject button on these machines - just the right click option.
Gadget
The above info was specifically for Dell machines bit it seems that this is now yet another brilliant ( ::) ) innovation from Dell
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There does seem to be something of an eject problem with Windows 7 HP. Luckily I didn't buy a Dell, a straightened paper clip has always worked so far. I remember in the early 1990s at work with 3 1/2 inch floppies, the eject procedure was straighten a paper clip ---.
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There does seem to be something of an eject problem with Windows 7 HP. Luckily I didn't buy a Dell, a straightened paper clip has always worked so far. I remember in the early 1990s at work with 3 1/2 inch floppies, the eject procedure was straighten a paper clip ---.
Roger ~
Yes but that is not really a great deal of help for Charlotte, now is it - come on admit it.
The poor lady has a problem and castigating Dell (as Falkyrn has) or talking about the 1990s is just unhelpful.
Both of you need a spanking!
Gadget
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Both of you need a spanking!
Gadget
:o :-X
The Dell helplines and forums appear to have a universal solution for all problems - Return the Machine to Dell.
1. Although powering down has already been tried - try powering down AND removing the battery completely - leave the machine for 10 to 15 minutes and then return the battery and try booting the machine.
2. Try booting into safe mode and using the eject procedure from there
3. Check that you have the latest firmware edition for the drive from Dell - if not download and install the later version. If you already have the latest, try checking the Device Manager to see if there are problems highlighted against the hardware.
Other solutions which are available online BUT which I would NOT consider :-
remove disc from drive using tweezers or similar
hold laptop upright with disc slot facing down and shake the machine to dislodge the disc.
Both of these are inherantly dangerous to the wellbeing of your machine and should only be considered if you wish the only future use for your machine to be as a doorstop.
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;D ;D ;D ;D
Have you heard of Teredo Tunnelling - gather that that might be involved ::)
Gadget
PS - I'm worried that my Tutti Frutti DVD might get stuck - we had the video pinched in the late 1980s with a video player and have only just acquired the DVD :-\
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Thank you all for your help- I didn't mean to disappear last night but was delving into the laptop to see what troubleshooting had to say. Followed their instructions with the result that it wouldn't start this morning >:(
Restore point has it back functioning- so now to try your various helpful suggestions.
Report later, and thanks again,
charlotte
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Falkryn, Thanks for the suggestions.
I've tried the safe mode procedure as you suggested byt no joy there.
R eyour suggestion of the battery removal, I can't get it out. Maybe Gadget can advise me as my model Dell is known to her. Gadget, if I lay the laptop flat on its front on the table so I can read`"Studio XPS" the correct way up, to remove the battery should the slide be to the left or right of those words above it? Do I then just pull gently?
Thanks,
charlotte
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Hi Charlotte
There is a slider release catch on the base at the back and fairly central , just close to the screen hinge. Slide that and then gently slide the battery away from the bay.
Do you have the little booklet that came with it? Instructions are on p38-39.
Gadget
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I hope this link will work:
http://www.retrevo.com/pdf/23293dj188/16/Media%2C+Wireless%2C+and+Power+Controls#q=Dell+Studio+XPS+16
It doesn't go to the correct page in preview but if you flick through to around page 26, there should be a diagram.
Gadget
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Errrmmm...on my laptop I just have to push the tray in. That is, there seems to be some sort of spring-load thingy like some cupboard doors, you just push against it and it pops open.
Goodluck Charlotte, I hate it when thingys don't work as they should.
Leonie.
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If only, Leonie
This one sucks the disc in but doesn't seem to like spitting it out ::) ::)
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Thanks Gadget for the link... it's p 23-24 in my book.
I've done as suggested, removed battery etc but no joy still.
Now the last suggestion is to check the firmware so here I go.
Thanks for sympathy LB.
charlotte
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I thought it was worth a try. :-\
I phoned up a friend who has the same laptop as me, she says the same thing. It seems the eject "button" is built into the tray.
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Charlotte
I'm wondering if accessing the DVD/CD might get it moving. Can you just click on it and get it to spin?
It's worth a try :-\
(No physical eject button on these Studio models, Leonie!)
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I can sympathise Charlotte. My PC is a Dell, and the CD tray has packed up. :(
Cheers
KHP
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Well, I thought that's what I was saying. I don't have an eject button either. The tray is spring loaded.
On the other hand...the tray in my PC just pops open willy nilly, whenever it feels like it. ::) Sorry Charlotte, that isn't at all helpful.
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Just found this recommended on a Dell prob site f0r slot loading drives- - you use two credit cards - it's for Macs but works with Dells :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpWieIoBBrk
Recommendation from here:
http://www.ihatedell.net/forum/phpBB2/dell-vostro-1510-dvd-drive-t12325.html
Gadget
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Gadget, Thanks.
I've just been thru a big learning curve about diagnosing/trouble shooting and yes, I do have Teredo Tunneling Adapter problems along with other drivers being ill also ;D
Just been downloading updated drivers etc. Don't know if it's worked.
Thanks for the other links-will try them if rebooted laptop still pesty.
Thanks again.
charlotte
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Gadet,
Sorry to butt in on this subject, but thought this is best way to catch your atttention.
Can you please access the posts "McIver of Stornoway". Your last post there was May 02/10.
I am a new member and have added to it . If you could be of assistance in pushing it along it would be much appreciated.
Seaway
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Just found this recommended on a Dell prob site f0r slot loading drives- - you use two credit cards - it's for Macs but works with Dells :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpWieIoB
Gadget
Reminds me of when I was taught to access a locked vehicle, and by an on duty police officer. Shan't buy a Dell, will stick to the straightened paper clip, proven technology!