DVD Burner works but won't open if empty.

[Brad Feuerhelm]

Hey all,

OK I can't figure out what's going on here.

The problem persists on 2 different computers with 2 different DVD Burners.

1. Plextor
2. Asus

Fairly new about 3 years old.

The drives work just fine NO problems other than if the drives are empty I have to use the emergency pin hole in front to eject tray.

Once a dvd/cd is inserted, the drawer/tray works just fine!!!!

Remove it and close the tray and tray won't eject NO matter what you do!!!
Windows won't eject it, my burner software won't eject it, I can only eject throught the pin hole in front. One is running XP and the other Win 7 64 bit. I doubt it could be the OS that's the problem.

Since this is happening on 2 different computers that are years apart in age and tech. I've come to the conclusion it must be the drives hate me!! )

Not really but on three other computers the dvd drives work just fine! Some really old others fairly new.

So I'm lost at this point! I was thinking maybe replace the drives trays belt. But before I try that I wanted to get a second opinion.

Thanks

Brad

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi

Drives probably faulty (tray sticking)

My brother had a similar problem with a DVD Player connected to his TV
he used some lubricant and they started opening again
use a lubricant which does not attack plastic and only a small amount

If that does not work replace them or keep a paper clip near by

regards
Mike Barnes

 

[Bambleweeny57]

This is most probably a problem with the eject motor and/or it's sensing electronics.
I HAVE the exact same problem with an LG GGW-H20L Blu-Ray Burner drive.

FYI:
Here's what's going on:
1) The motor that spins the CD/DVD disk has a powerful magnet on the spindle.
2) On the underside of the upper drive casing there's a plastic "gripper" (with metal inside it) that's free to rotate.
3) When the disk motor/laser assembly is raised to the disc (when the tray closes) this magnet attracts the plastic/metal gripper, holding the DVD firmly between them.
4) When you want to eject, the eject motor has to separate this magnet from the gripper disk BUT this eject motor has sensing electronics that determine if there's any obstruction (that's why you can nudge it to close or why it doesn't keep trying if it hits an obstacle)

NOW, unfortunately, if the motor or the sensing electronics have degraded, the "obstruction sensing" can kick in just because of the strength of the disk gripper magnet.
HOWEVER, if you have a disk in the drive already, then the magnet is further away from the gripper (by the thickness of the DVD/CD) and thus takes less force to separate them. That is why it's quite likely that the drive will eject with a DVD/CD in but not when empty.

As far as fixes are concerned,....
The best I can suggest is to leave a disk in there at all times!!
I've wasted hours trying to ah heck around inside, mechanically and electronically.
It's probably not worth the effort.

Anyways, best of luck