Ensure that Microsoft®Windows®recognizes the drive — Click the Start button and click My Computer. If the floppy, CD, or DVD drive, is not listed,
perform a full scan with your antivirus software to check for and remove viruses. Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive.
Test the drive —
l Insert another floppy disk, CD, or DVD to eliminate the possibility that the original one is defective.
l Insert a bootable floppy disk and restart the computer.
Clean the drive or disk — See Cleaning Your Computer.
Ensure that the CD is snapped onto the spindle
Check the cable connections
Check for hardware incompatibilities — See Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities.
Run the Dell Diagnostics — See Dell Diagnostics.
CD and DVD drive problems
Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive
Close other programs — The CD/DVD-RW drive must receive a steady stream of data when writing. If the stream is interrupted, an error occurs. Try closing all
programs before you write to the CD/DVD-RW.
Turn off Standby mode in Windows before writing to a CD/DVD-RW disc — See Standby Mode or search for the keyword standby in the Windows Help and
Support Center for information on power management modes.
Change the write speed to a slower rate — See the help files for your CD or DVD creation software.
If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW drive tray
1. Ensure that the computer is turned off.
2. Straighten a paper clip and insert one end into the eject hole at the front of the drive; push firmly until the tray is partially ejected.
3. Gently pull out the tray until it stops.
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound
l Ensure that the sound is not caused by the program that is running.
l Ensure that the disk or disc is inserted properly.
Hard drive problems
Allow the computer to cool before turning it on — A hot hard drive may prevent the operating system from starting. Try allowing the computer to return to
room temperature before turning it on.
