PLEASE HELP>CD-ROM DRIVE Problem

[Klee]

I currently have a 220A5 vrp matrix laptop, ive had it for about 2 weeks now.
I have a problem concerning the cd-rom drive. under my computer it does not read the cd-rom drive, in fact the device manager doesnt either.
The worst part is that i put in a blank cd before i knew about this because i was going to burn a cd. Ive burnt cds before with no problem.
I dont know if this has happened to anyone else. i called the support line and he made me go through a bunch of stuff that did absolutely nothing. im hoping i dont have to send my laptop in. please help
~Mike:( :( :(

[Klee]

in addition....
the eject button on the front panel doesnt work to eject the disk, and since the computer doesnt even read my cd drive, i cant eject it through the computer itself. the guy on the phone said it might have to do with the nero program i have installed in my computer, but ive never had a problem before and i removed the program and it still doesnt work. again. pleeease help
~mike

[ECA]

have you gone into windows and had it RE detect from the hardware manager?
Have you gone to the bios and checked?
Does it have a light on the front and is it ON, or FLASH on startup.
The DISK inside maybe the problem. There should be a tiny whole on the front, to insert the end of a paperclip. Push in, and find button, press hard. its the eject.

[flecrone]

I don't know if this link will help, but you might try it:http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314060
I had my CD drive disappear in 2000 once, and this brought it back.

On the 200A5, there is no hole for manually ejecting from the slot drive. I imagine the same is true on the 220A5. Don't try to stick anything into the slot itself to force out the CD inside.

The light ECA is referring to is the CD drive light in the series of lights near the power switch. See if it comes on or flashes while the computer is booting up.

Good luck!

[Klee]

thanks fecrone,
its seems as though i have the same problem you had, i went to the link but i dont know what they mean about the upper and lower filters, maybe you can clarify that. and the light for the cd does blink when i reboot the laptop, so im guessing there is no hardware damage, i really think it is the nero software i installed a while back. thanks for the replies guy
im still workin on it though

[Klee]

the upper and lower filters arent there, and i restarted my computer and it still doesnt detect my cd-rom drive

[flecrone]

If this is the cause of your problem, there should be actual registry entries labeled UpperFilters and LowerFilters. If not, your problem must lie elsewhere

A couple of things you can try are:
Using system restore to "roll back" the computer to the time before your installed the Nero software. But be aware that all changes made after that point will be lost. You may also loose files you've created, so be sure to back up any important data first.

If that still doesn't work, turn off the computer, close the lid, then slide the Wifi switch on the left side forward to put the computer in CD play mode. Then try to use the eject switch. You may need to push the switch twice, or push and hold it. If you can get the blank CD out, then try putting in a music CD and see if it plays (without booting the computer).

Good luck!

[Klee]

my computer is fixed. a pop up on my taskbar came up for a windows update, so i decided to try it, i downloaded it, and i restarted my computer. and now the cd is ejected and the cd-rom drive is detected, thanks for the help and replies guys
~mike

[Klee]

the worst has happened. Not only does my computer not read my cd rom drive again, my brand new nhl 2004 installation disc is stuck in there.
NOw i cant play it. I called the vpr matrix service line again, and although they were nice, they werent helpful, the problem still exist. I brought my laptop into best buy, and one of the computer techincians tried to manually eject the disc. This made me wanted to rip his head off when i saw him stick mini screw drivers and a paper clip into my computer. And of coarse he didtn fix it.
NOw i have to send it in, and what went from a 7 day span, quickly went to a 15 day estimate of how long itll take. One word of advice, dont instill nero. or be careful of what burning programs youuse. I will kee you posted.
~mike

[ECA]

There is a trick with SOME windows.
Go to my computer, right click the CDROM, and there is an option to EJECT.
Dont know if you tried it.

[flecrone]

Just out of curiosity -- did you try using the CD Player mode of the computer? Since that mode will play CDs without booting the computer, it should be unaffected by any problems with Windows.

[Klee]

just sent it in, UPS is picking it up today.

There is NO icon in my copmuters for the CDROM drive. Windows isnt reading it. Eject button on the omputer doesnt work either. Ill keep you guys posted.