Having Problem with CD Rom

[Saxoholic]

When I boot my comp my dvd rom led light starts flashing like crazy. It doesn't get detected by windows. It's been working fine for months and just started doing this without warning. I tried screwing with jumpers, got it to boot correctly somehow switching it to slave and my RW to master. It worked fine, read a cd and a dvd, but then when I restarted it, it went back to the flashing thing.

I've tried swapping power connectors and slots on the IDE cable with the RW and the DVD rom continued malfunctioning, and the RW was fine.

Any suggestions on what I can do to fix it? It's an old toshiba dvd rom. I've had it for at least three, if not 4 years, and don't want to replace it unless I absolutely have to.


Thanks

 

[DieHardware]

Is it recognized correctly at the POST screen? Is the IDE channel set to auto in the BIOS? Have you tried a different IDE cable?

 

[LiLithTecH]

Its more than likely the lens on the DVD drive is dirty or Lazer is getting weak.

You could try cleaning it. While most will recommend blowing compressed
air over the surface of the lens (not dirty at the lens), I find the best solution
is de-ionized water. You can substitute a KODAK Photographic lens cleaning
tissue if you can't find the de-ionized water.

If you have a Photograhic lens brush, you can try that also (the kind with a brush and squeeze bulb)

Lightly run the tissue or bruch across the lens, placing NO PRESSURE on it.

Do NOT use isopropyl aclohol on the lens as it will ruin the coatings and surface.
Do NOT use Q-Tips. They are to abrasive.