NEC 3540A problem

[Markbnj]

Hey guys, started having an issue yesterday with my 3540A, which has been installed and working fine for a year. Problem is it doesn't see the media or the files on it. Device Manager says it is working properly, but the "Volumes" tab on the device properties shows "No Media" when I attempt to populate the volume information. If I insert a disk the drive light comes on for a long time, and the cursor changes to a "disc cursor" in explorer. After awhile the cursor flashes a few times and the drive light goes out, but nothing shows in the explorer pane, which reports 0 objects. I did get it to find the files once by messing around with refresh. Opened the box and checked cables, all tight. Restarted and haven't been able to get it to detect a disc since. Have tried several different media, OEM and self-burned. Nada.

Does it sound like the drive is farked, or is it possible I have a system issue?

Edit: Update, if I try to point a command window at the drive I get "The device is not ready."

 

[SynthDude2001]

I'm having a similar problem with my 3500A...I'm thinking the drive is on its way out at this point.

 

[Markbnj]

Yeah, kind of disappointing. I know there isn't a lot of margin in these things anymore, but I would hope to get a few years, at least, out of an NEC.

Edit: just for the hell of it I flashed the firmware to 1.04 and rebooted. Nada. I guess the drive is porked. Good thing they cost less than a good bottle of scotch.