DVD Drawer won't open

[ohheckyeah]

I seldom use my DVD but I tried to open it today and it won't open. I can't use the eject function either. I have a Dell XPS 8300.

Any suggestions?

[Old and In the Way]

1. there is apinhole that will manually open tje dtawer

A paperclip is all you need

[steve2470]

2. usually there is a very small pinhole by the drawer

You can stick a pin or paperclip in that hole to push it open. Do you see one ?

[PoliticAverse]

3. Did you try rebooting the computer? If that doesn't work try the paper clip

method others have mentioned. The drawer opening mechanism often breaks on these drives.

[ohheckyeah]

4. I tried the paper clip thing.

The DVD drive is bad.

[hobbit709]

5. DVD drives are cheap. about $20 at newegg.com.

[ohheckyeah]

6. Thanks - if the tech that is going to check it out tomorrow

is too high, I'll consider trying to replace it myself. The most I've done with hardware is install a modem and RAM.

[ohheckyeah]

7. Can you tell me how to know which one to buy?

Sorry to ask so many questions. I think I'm going to try to replace it myself.

[hobbit709]

8. Any SATA drive will work.

In my experience the $20 ones work as well as the more expensive ones.

All you need to do is pop the front cover off the case and disconnect the two cables at the rear of the drive. It should slide right out. Take the screws and brackets off the old one and put them on the new one. slide it into the bay until it's in all the way. pop the cover back on and connect the cables on the back and you should be ready to go. No drivers or other stuff needed.

If you go to Dell support and enter in you service tag you can get the instructions on how to do it.

[ohheckyeah]

9. Thank you very much.

A kind soul put up a YouTube video that shows you exactly how to do it. I think I can do this.....nice to know you guys are here if I can't figure something out.

Thanks again for the help.

[ohheckyeah]

14. The dell site says the dvd

for this computer is half-height. I'm assuming that is the size of the dvd drive....is that right? What brand is a good one?

[Spirochete]

10. It's really easy

Just have to decide what kind (DVD Writer, BluRay writer, Bluray/DVD combo, etc)

[ohheckyeah]

11. DVD writer....

I have a BluRay writer.

[Spirochete]

12. Then you just decide on a brand

and whether or not you want Lightscribe capabilities. Do they even include that anymore?

[ohheckyeah]

13. Good question....

I don't know what Lightscribe is.

[Spirochete]

15. It etches labels right into the disks themselves.

I use it often.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LightScribe

[ohheckyeah]

16. Very cool.

I made note upthread that this computer uses a half-height drive.

Here's the one on the Dell website: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=313-9861&mfgpid=224298&chassisid=8560

Is there a brand you can recommend?

[Spirochete]

17. I've had pretty good luck with Lite-On

But i hear LG is also better than it used to be. Panasonic is supposed to be good. Plextor is overpriced, IMO.

[ohheckyeah]

18. Thanks for the info.

Is half-height the size?

[Spirochete]

19. Those are the standard size, right?

About 1 1/2 inches tall? not the laptop size ones?

[ohheckyeah]

20. It's for a desktop.

I don't know what half height means if it isn't the size is different from over DVD drives.

The one at Dell says DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM - 5.25" x 1/2H.

[Spirochete]

21. Half height is the standard for desktops

It's about 1 1/2 inches tall. The size all the ones that go in desktops are now.
The one at Dell sounds like a slim, for a laptop, if it's half an inch tall.

[ohheckyeah]

22. You're right -

But, it shows it compatible with my XPS 8300. I'm confused.

Here's the link: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=313-9861&mfgpid=224298&chassisid=8560

That looks bigger than 1/2", doesn't it?

[Spirochete]

23. Yeah, that's a standard desktop drive

They listed the wrong dimensions, methinks.

Looks like Dell charges twice as much for them as LiteOn or LG...

[ohheckyeah]

24. Thank you for

all of the help and information. It is appreciated.

[Spirochete]

25. Anytime

[gvstn]

29. I was curious about the half height

Since they looked like standard size and I had never heard that designation. I found this HP pdf that states their half height is 1.62&quot H) inches which is the standard size for desktops. I agree that Dell probably has a mistake on their website where they list the dimensions.

A quick glance inside the case at the back of the drive should verify that it is 1½" high.

http://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/GetPDF.aspx%2F4AA3-9681ENW.pdf

[ohheckyeah]

30. Thanks for that info.

I'll read up on it. My drive is a 1 1/2" one.

[gvstn]

31. That is absolutely standard size.

Any desktop SATA DVD burner will fit fine. That HP pdf was just to show that they designate standard DVDROM with the half height name.

The hardest part will be removing the front bezel of the PC case (usually rather flimsy tabs so be delicate). Here is your service manual but the pictures are not very good. I hope your video is more clear. ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_xps_desktop/xps-8300_service%20manual_en-us.pdf Page 50 for removing replacing the DVDROM.

This is a list of Newegg DVD burners that should all be fine (except for the HP slimline, second to the end which shouldn't be there).
I've used Lite-On, Sony and LG--I used to be fairly hard on optical drives burning several hundred discs a year. I have also found cheap ones work/last just as long as more expensive ones.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007589%204093%20600003509&IsNodeId=1&name=DVD%20Burner

[ohheckyeah]

32. Wow - lots of info in the manual...

I downloaded it. Thanks.

I'll check out the products at Newegg.

[snappyturtle]

26. This is what I do when that happens on my Dell:

Click on "Start"
Click on "Computer"
Right click on the DVD drive....then on eject

[hobbit709]

27. That only works if the internal mechanism on the drive isn't hung up.

I've had drives where after using a paper clip in the hole to release the catch it was still snagged.

[ohheckyeah]

28. I tried that but it didn't work.

Thanks for the suggestion, though.