How to Open Broken Optical Drive

[NewYorksFinest]

My girlfriend's $20 optical drive broke while I was building her computer. It broke after it wanted me to "insert the bootable disc." Now, it wont open. The $80 Windows 8.1 is stuck in there. We tried putting my copy in there, but it wont install because mine is W8.1 Pro and hers isnt Pro. I need the disc out. How can I do it?

 

[Schmide]

Stick a pin in it.















Look for the small unlock pin hole and use it.

 

[Steltek]

The pin hole at issue is normally above (or somewhere near) the eject button. A straightened paper clip also works very well. Just stick it in the hole and push it straight back. It should cycle the mechanism and pop the tray open.

 

[Virgorising]

The pin hole at issue is normally above (or somewhere near) the eject button. A straightened paper clip also works very well. Just stick it in the hole and push it straight back. It should cycle the mechanism and pop the tray open.

I ditto; straightened paperclip works perfectly.

 

[NewYorksFinest]

I tried the pinhole, but the inside gizmo broke. I can always buy a new drive, but that $100 windows 8.1 is in there.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I tried the pinhole, but the inside gizmo broke. I can always buy a new drive, but that $100 windows 8.1 is in there.

It's not a "gizmo, latch or, lock," it's a release. Think of it as if the paperclip was pushing the jamb away from the locked deadbolt on your door. Failing that, you're left with removing the optical drive from the case and disassembling it.

 

[radtechtips]

Pretty sure you don't need the actual disc. Just the key.

 

[C1]

Fry's Electronics newspaper ad (Sat) is featuring an Asus 24x DvD-RW drive for $18.99.

Plan on picking that one up & also take Magnus's advice & remove the disabled drive and disassemble it. (I believe 4 screws hold the cover on.) One way or another, you should be able to work the tray open (eg, manually manipulating the tray gear mechanism) or better yet thru using the emergency eject access hole. In the case of the access hole, the wire being used is not a pure in line insert but must be inserted at a slight angle to engage the internal releasing lever. With the cover off, you might better be able to see what's going on.

PS: If it just the tray belt that's bad, these can be ordered (they're pretty much a standard size) then replaced. I had to just recently replace the tray belts on two of my Plextor DvD-RW drives.

 

[cubby1223]

Would be worthwhile to take this opportunity to learn how to download and create your own install dvd. It's good knowledge to have.