Welcome to RCF - WHF

rb2d2 · Sep 25, 2004

Great! You seem to manage to get a handle on your problems pretty well if you work on it long enough. Best way in the world to learn, on your own with a bit of trial and error..

blob8

The problem with the CD tray not opening is one a lot of CD-ROMs develope. I would imagine it would need to be repaired by a shop. That might cost as much as a new one.

However, should it ever fail to open at all you can open it by pushing an unbend paperclip into the smallest hold on the faceplate. DON'T shove the paperclip into the audio hole. LOL

You will have to push the paperclip firmly to force the drive back and then up. Either the tray will open all the way or the door will open and the tray will come out a little ways, you can grab it and pull it all the way out.

wave

Jaddon · Oct 12, 2005

WOW $350 for a cd rom??? That is a lot of money! Shocked

I paid about $30 for mine and it is also a burner! Fishead you don't have to buy the parts from where your computer dealer.

I built my own computer - I get all my computer parts from http://newegg.com/ they have the best prices and I have never had a problem with them.

rb2d2 · Sep 25, 2004

Build your own. That's the way to go!!! Yahhhh for Jaddonl

The problem is with a lot of these PC makers is their cased are custom designed. The hardware is behind the faceplate not IN the faceplate. For instance you only see the drawer of a CD-ROM and the button to eject is actually a seperate button!

You can replace the CD-ROM with any brand but then the faceplate won't fit. violent1

A lot of PC makers now customize everything on, and in, their cases so if you need a replacement part you have to buy it from them.

Brick wall

BUILD YOUR OWN!!

blob8

Jaddon · Oct 12, 2005

They sure are tricky those dealers devil1

Yep I would never buy a computer, I always build my own - saves money and you get a better computer! And is you don't know how to build your own I would find someone who knows how and have them build the computer for you - still saves you money! Smile

Nightrider · Sep 25, 2004

Yeah, rb can build a computer for people who ask. She's gotten to be a real pro. Ask her how much money she earned just for fixing someone's PC the other day...

Applause

rb2d2 · Sep 25, 2004

I made a hundred bucks changing out the HDD and adding memory.

BUT ... yes there is a but! Troubleshooting the new HDD took about 12 hours. After replacing the HDD the PC took too long to bootup. Especially since I enabled the Intel quick boot in the BIOS.

When I had the partition from the old HDD on my spare it booted right into Window with only a half second of the Intel logo screen showing up at the beginning. With the new HDD it sat at the logo screen for a full minute before moving on.

I tried every setting known to man and Microsoft. I even created some settings on my own!! LOL I turned the BIOS every way but loose and nothing helped.

You know what did the trick? If I had not experienced it on my own I would not have believed it but changing the jumper on the HDD from Master to Cable Select did it!

So remember that if you ever come across this problem!!

Applause

Nightrider · Sep 25, 2004

Yes, there was a but. Â But there is also a but2. Â This is the most you have been paid to date for fixing someone's PC, which you weren't even aware that you could do 2+ years ago. Â So this is progress. Â You were still underpaid for your services, but not nearly as bad as before...

banana

rb2d2 · Sep 25, 2004

I wouldn't even be doing all this PC work if not for you, Nightrider. Everything I know I learned from you. Until I met you I had never even looked inside a computer case let alone touch anything in there. When I did take the side off I was tempted to put it right back after taking one look!

Sometimes when I think about it I can't believe I'm doing all the things I do to and with a PC.

Thank you for dragging me, kicking and screaming all the way, through the learning process! LOL Thank you also for having the patience of a saint!

Heart

Jaddon · Oct 12, 2005

Thats great RB that you have learned so much and even earned money helping others. Smile

We have as well. but your right it does take up alot of time troubleshooting.

rb2d2 · Sep 25, 2004

Troubleshooting takes ALL the time! LOL I understand now why so many online techs and PC shops just say to reformate and reinstall. BUT you don't learn anything that way. And reformat and fresh install isn't a cure all as some have found out! Depends on just what the problem is.

I was actually thinking of sending that HDD back and having it replaced with another brand. Man, would I have been POed to discovery I still had the same problem. However, I do need to state some additional info here: when I had that partition from the failing HDD on my spare HDD the machine booted up fine and the HDD was set as Master. It's a Hitachi.

When I put the partition on the new HDD, a Western Digital set as Master, that's when it took so long to boot. When I jumpered it to Cable Select the PC booted up like a jackrabbit. So apparently the brand does have something to do with the best way to set the jumper.

sunny