Question Disc drive has become noisy

[abbarich]

A week ago I shut my laptop off and I realised I'd left a DVD-RW in the disc drive. I turned it back on and removed it a few minutes later. Last night I put the same DVD-RW in the drive which I hadn't used for a week, and it s now making a much louder noise than normal, a clicking grinding sort of noise. I tested it to see if it was still working by burning a few small files onto the disc. It's done this okay but it was so noisy. Have I damaged the drive? Does anyone have any advice? Thanks

 

[Lutfij]

What is the make, model and SKU of your laptop? In fact, you can skip that if you tell me what the make and model of your optical drive is. Pretty much all optical drives meant for the laptop would have a central hub/puck that the disc would need to latch onto before you can push the disc drive's tray in. If the disc was on said latch then no, the disc didn't' cause any damage to your drive. That's my mindset/thought process.

 

[abbarich]

Thanks for the reply. The laptop is a Lenovo ideapad 100. Leaving the disc in while it shut down has caused the drive to become very noisy, so I wasn't sure if it's damaged in some way. It's a loud sort of clattering grinding sound but I can't see any damage to the disc after I've removed it. Will the noise settle down eventually? Maybe I should leave it a while before using it again?

 

[USAFRet]

Does it do this with other DVDs?

 

[KingLoki]

Have you thought of cleaning out the inside of the drive just incase of any dust/debris has got in. Compressed air blower by actual compressor unit or canned compressed air would be worth a try. Just in case. Otherwise a new drive might be needed due to unknown damage to the motor.

 

[abbarich]

I put a new blank DVD-R in the drive and it sounded normal again so I might just have damaged the other disc and not the drive. Fingers crossed.

 

[USAFRet]

I put a new blank DVD-R in the drive and it sounded normal again so I might just have damaged the other disc and not the drive. Fingers crossed.

Right.

Individual DVDs may act differently.

I had one shatter inside the drive once.
It started spinning up, then got loud, then LOUDER...then poof. DVD confetti inside the drive.

 

[abbarich]

Since I started this thread I left the disc drive alone for a month and I successfully burned some files to a dvd-r though it was noisier than normal as it was burning but no problem with the end result. However last night I tried to burn some files onto a cd-r this time and it got stuck at 99%. I let it continue for about 5 minutes but it didn't complete as it normally does so I had to eventually cancel it. I've wasted that disc. This is happening after I accidentally left a disc in the drive when I shut down a few weeks ago.If I avoid windows media and try using something like Nero will I have the same issue? Its strange I was able to do a successful dvd-r before though. Sadly I think my drive is finished and I'm not sure how to repair it even if it's possible. I'd be very grateful for any tips. Thanks.

 

[Misgar]

Sadly I think my drive is finished and I'm not sure how to repair it even if it's possible.

Chances are it's not economic to repair the drive, but replacement should be possible. Unlike older laptops where you simply moved a sliding clip to eject the drive, the Ideapad needs a few more operations.

Check this video and if necessary, pass the job on to a competent person. Messing around with small screws and delicate ribbon cables can be tricky.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU3DyH0SNbI


I found this replacement (second hand?) drive, Lenovo part number DA8AESH on eBay going cheap.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/25012228275

Check your local online stores, but it's probably best to remove the existing drive first and check the part number before ordering.

With such an old item, you may have trouble finding a replacement.

https://www.amazon.com/Writer-DA8AE...id=1731857700&sprefix=da8aesh+,aps,128&sr=8-2

 

[abbarich]

Many thanks. That does look involved. I'll look into it, but maybe it's more economical to buy an external disc drive? Thanks

 

[abbarich]

Someone suggested using a can of compressed air to try cleaning the drive. I'll give this a try. I did read that it can finish the laser off if liquid rather than air is squirted inside. I hope I don't end up doing that! I've seen a cleaning disc on eBay but I read somewhere that they can damage the laser permanently as the little brushes can scratch it. Is it best to avoid using the cleaning disc and just try the can of air? Thanks.

 

[Misgar]

Is it best to avoid using the cleaning disc and just try the can of air? Thanks.

I'd probably try a few drops of Iso Propyl Alcohol on a tissue and gently wipe the lens on the laser head. A particle of dust or a fingerprint smear on the lens could stop it working. Do not press down too hard.

Replacement laptop DVD writers are relatively cheap (circa $30), as are portable USB drives.