HP Notebook PCs - Opening a Stuck CD or DVD Drive Tray (Windows 7, Vista, XP)

This document explains alternative methods of opening a CD or DVD drive tray that does not operate normally. The tray may have to be manually ejected when the drive loses power, a disc is inserted improperly, a damaged or scratched disc is used, the drive fails, or the playback program refuses to release control of the eject command.

Normally the drive can be opened and the disc removed while the computer is in operation by either pressing the eject button on the outside of the drive, or by selecting the eject function in the control panel of the playback program. Some drives do not have an external eject button and can only be opened by using Windows Explorer to eject the disc.

If using the eject function in the software does not open the CD or DVD drive, there may be an electronic or control problem to the drive. To resolve this problem with Windows Explore in Windows 7, Vista, or XPr, use the following steps:

1. Close all programs and shut down the computer. This will interrupt and reset all component hardware and software controls.
2. Press and release the Power button to turn on computer, and allow the computer to boot into Windows and display the desktop.
3. In Windows 7 or Windows Vista, click Start , and then click Computer.
   In earlier versions of Windows, click Start, and then click My Computer.
4. Right-click the icon for the disc drive that is stuck, and then click Eject. The door on the tray-load drive should open, or the disc on the slot-load drive should be ejected.
   Figure : Eject disc in Windows 7
   

If the door does not open or the disc does not eject, continue to the section on manually opening the tray-load or slot-load drive.

If you cannot eject a disc from the disc drive of your computer using the eject function of the software, try manually opening the tray-load drive. Almost all tray-load disc drives have an external release button and a small hole in the door to access the manual lock release. To open a tray-load drive, use the following steps:

1. Restart the computer.
2. Look for the small hole on the faceplate of the disc drive. This is the manual release hole. The location of the manual release hole will vary.

   note:

   On some models, the release hole and the drive activity LED look similar and are about the same size. Do not force the paper clip into the hole if it does not go in. Make sure that the hole is not actually the LED.

3. Straighten a paper clip and insert it into the manual release hole until resistance is felt.
   Figure : Manually opening tray and removing disc

   
4. Press in gently on the paper clip until the tray is released.
   Releasing the lock will allow the tray to open a small distance.
5. Remove the paper clip and gently pull out the drawer until the disc is accessible.
6. Remove the disc from the tray.

Examine the disc, the tray guide rails, and the spindle for signs of physical damage.

If the drive fails to open or close properly, you can order a replacement drive from HP. See Ordering HP Certified Replacement Parts.

If you cannot eject a disc from the disc drive of your computer using the eject function of the software, try manually opening the slot-load drive. Only a few slot-load disc drives have an external eject button. Unlike the tray-load drives, very few have any type of manual lock release.

To remove a disc from a slot-load drive that has an external eject button, use the following steps:

1. Restart the computer.
2. Press the external eject button.
   Figure : Slot-load drive with external eject button

   
3. If the disc is not ejected manually, open Windows Explorer and attempt to use the eject function for the optical disc.

There are no other recommended actions. You may wish to contact HP and arrange for repair services.

  warning:

Shaking or banging the computer in an attempt to jar the disc loose may loosen or damage other components or cause the computer to stop working. Attempting to insert objects into the slot to dislodge the disc may scratch or damage the disc and internal surfaces of the drive.

If the drive fails to open or close properly, you can order a replacement drive from HP. See Ordering HP Certified Replacement Parts.