How to use slot-loading DVD-ROM?!

[eGadget]

Hi, there.

I bought a Pioneer 16X 106S DVD-ROM in the FS/FT forum about a couple months ago, but I just installed it last night.

I installed it like the way I have installed my CDROM drives. I simply replaced the CDROM drive with this DVD-ROM drive, so I set the DVD-ROM drive as slave on the IDE 1. When the computer boots up, the BIOS recognizes the DVD-ROM drive. In Windows, there's a letter assigned to the drive. However, I can't make it read any CD's or DVD's. I later flashed the drive with the latest firmware, version 122A. Therefore, I have been using the drive on the IDE 2 and with jumper on the Master position. Same problem.

I am not sure what's wrong because this is the first time I use a DVD-ROM drive or a slot load drive. Disc is inserted into the drive by putting 1/3 of it into the slot. There's something inside prevents me from pushing the disc all the way. Then I push the eject button and then insert the disc. Would this be a problem about a slot loading drive? Should the drive load the disc *automatically* when inserted?

Fortunately, the drive was manufactured in June 2001 (needs to double check), will I be able to RMA it without a receipt? How is Pioneer's support service for DVD-ROM drive?

Thank you so much for reading. I hope someone with experience with slot-load DVD-ROM drive can give me some suggestions.

 

[worth]

Are you sure there wasn't a disc in it when you got it?

 

[eGadget]

There should be no disc in the drive when I installed it. I pressed the eject button a few times after installation. Nothing came out. After that, I tried to insert CD's and DVD's. If there was a disc inside that I don't know, I would be able to access the drive.

worth,
Why would you suspect there's a disc in the drive? Would a drive accept more than one disc at a time?

 

[ojai00]

Hey eGadget. It looks like you might have bought a defective drive. I bought a drive a while ago that seems to have the same problem you have. When I installed the drive, and turned on my computer, there would be a loud whirring sound, that didn't sound pleasant. If you had a working drive, it should just make a small sound (as if the load mechanism in the drive was moving out of the way to allow you to insert a disc). If your drive is defective and you press the eject button, it should also give you that loud noise.


<< Why would you suspect there's a disc in the drive? Would a drive accept more than one disc at a time? >>


That drive can only accept one disc at a time. It could be that there is a disc inside because you're unable to insert a disc, but there also could be something wrong with the drive's loading mechanism. I opened mine up before I RMAed it, and it looked like some part of the drive wasn't in the right place, therefore causing it to load improperly and give that sound.

To load a disc, you have to put it about 2/3 of the way in. Just give it a little nudge and see if that works. Hope this helps.

 

[eGadget]

<< When I installed the drive, and turned on my computer, there would be a loud whirring sound, that didn't sound pleasant. If you had a working drive, it should just make a small sound (as if the load mechanism in the drive was moving out of the way to allow you to insert a disc). If your drive is defective and you press the eject button, it should also give you that loud noise. >>



When the computer is turned on, the DVD-ROM drive makes a sound like it's ejecting a disc. I would say it's not a loud sound but it's definitely not something a tray load drive would make. When I press the eject button, I can hear the same sound. It sounds like some gears are moving and then a door is open inside the drive. The sound lasts about 2-3 seconds.



<< To load a disc, you have to put it about 2/3 of the way in. Just give it a little nudge and see if that works. >>



I can only insert 1/3 of a CD/DVD into the drive's slot. So the hole of the disc is still outside of the slot.

This morining, I inserted a WinXP demo CD into the drive again. I was surprised that the drive recognized the CD and the busy light flashed while the drive is spinning and reading the disc. I had to press the eject button before completely inserting the disc. Unfortunately, I could make the drive read the disc once.

Thank you for the posts.

 

[ojai00]

Yea, looks like the drive is defective. Are you saying that some times, you can only get it in 1/3 and other times you can get it all the way in? The drive whether defective or not, makes some kind of sound when you first boot up or when you eject. It's just a matter of how loud. The problem you're having sounds very familiar. I would try to get a new drive or RMA the one that you have.

 

[eGadget]

I called Pioneer Support at 1-800-872-4159 yesterday and earlier today. I was transferred to another person who is supposed to take the S/N of the drive and then the person will find out about the distributor of the drive. For both times, I reached an answering machine message. I left a message everytime. I am waiting for a call back.

What would be a best time to call the Support? I hope to get a RMA # by tomorrow.

ojai00,
Thank you for your help.

 

[ojai00]

You're welcome!!! You can always try e-mailing their tech support also.