jeffce
Topic Starter
I have an Inspiron 1525 and the disk drive just seems to open on its own. Any thoughts on what that is?
Hardware
Need some help
3 min read
jeffce
Let me rephrase…the disc drive ejects occasionally on its own even when there is no disc inside.
Lee
Hi jeffce,
Disable auto-play.
For XP:
Click on My Computer / right click on your optical drive / properties / Auto-play / mark the 'select action' /click on 'take no action' at the bottom of the list.
For Vista:
1.Open your Control Panel, and then click on “Play CDs or other media automatically” to open the AutoPlay dialog.
2.Uncheck the box for “Use AutoPlay for all media and devices”.
Cheers,
Lee
jeffce
Ok I did that. Thank you. Hopefully that will fix the problem. 
Now…back to malware school!
Now…back to malware school!
Doug
Hi jeffce,
I hope that the solution offered by Lee has fixed your problem.
It appears to me, in reviewing Dell Laptops of that same and similar series, that other folks have had persistent and unsolved problems with Optical Drive's physical performance.
______________________
Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a single solutions to the problem and even Dell offers more of a "laundry list" than a specific recommendation.
Here's a Dell Forums thread to a similar model with apparently the same problem: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forum…6/19297302.aspx
______________________
"Sometimes" this problem is related to tiny amounts of dust/debris caught in the mechanisms tracks or at the "door" opening where is should seat fully to the laptop case.
Very careful inspection may find a small scrap of paper or dust build up that prevents the tray from completely closing.
Use a small paint brush and compressed air to clean out the tray track and area around the front closure.
(be careful with brush or cloth, not to add hairs or lint while actually trying to remove such.)
______________
In "some" instances the laptop case itself might be distorted, preventing complete closure.]
In fact, Dell has sometimes recommended replacement of the top panel above the Optical Device.
______________
Could the problem be software (other than auto-start suggestion proposed by Lee) ?
You might help rule out software and drivers by booting into SAFE Mode.
If the problem only occurs in Normal Mode boot, you might consider uninstalling the Driver via Device Manager, and then Reboot, allowing Windows to Find New Hardware and Install Driver for New Hardware.
It might also be possible that an application in your Start Menu is calling for files previously available on CD/DVD media.
Consider Disabling items in your StartUp list via MSCONFIG (you can generally do without all of them except your AntiVirus, and in some instances your touch pad)
______________
In the off chance that a recently used document or file is being called, but was only available on a CD/DVD that is now not in the tray, the tray may open.
You might benefit from clearing your MRU list.
Here's how for XP (it is different in Vista and Windows 7)
To show your most recently used documents on the Start menu
Right-click the Start button, and then click Properties.
On the Start Menu tab, click Start menu, and then click Customize.
On the Advanced tab, select the "List my most recently opened documents" check box.
The next time you click Start, the My Recent Documents folder is on the Start menu. This folder contains the documents and files you opened recently.
Note
On the Advanced tab, click Clear List to empty the My Recent Documents folder. This does not delete the documents from the computer.
________________
Jeffce
When posting a Software or Hardware problem it is useful to provide enough information in your problem statement or question, so that Helpers can focus on your specific problem without wondering if they are on the right track, or needing to ask basic questions about your system.
You helpfully told us what computer Brand and series you are dealing with.
But we are left to presume what OS you may be using.
Your particular machine may have come with either XP or possibly with Vista.
Some considerations would be different depending on OS.
Please read and use my posting assist How-to for this Forum:
http://forums.whatthetech.com/index.php?act=SR&f=126
Best Regards
I hope that the solution offered by Lee has fixed your problem.
It appears to me, in reviewing Dell Laptops of that same and similar series, that other folks have had persistent and unsolved problems with Optical Drive's physical performance.
______________________
Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a single solutions to the problem and even Dell offers more of a "laundry list" than a specific recommendation.
Here's a Dell Forums thread to a similar model with apparently the same problem: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forum…6/19297302.aspx
______________________
"Sometimes" this problem is related to tiny amounts of dust/debris caught in the mechanisms tracks or at the "door" opening where is should seat fully to the laptop case.
Very careful inspection may find a small scrap of paper or dust build up that prevents the tray from completely closing.
Use a small paint brush and compressed air to clean out the tray track and area around the front closure.
(be careful with brush or cloth, not to add hairs or lint while actually trying to remove such.)
______________
In "some" instances the laptop case itself might be distorted, preventing complete closure.]
In fact, Dell has sometimes recommended replacement of the top panel above the Optical Device.
______________
Could the problem be software (other than auto-start suggestion proposed by Lee) ?
You might help rule out software and drivers by booting into SAFE Mode.
If the problem only occurs in Normal Mode boot, you might consider uninstalling the Driver via Device Manager, and then Reboot, allowing Windows to Find New Hardware and Install Driver for New Hardware.
It might also be possible that an application in your Start Menu is calling for files previously available on CD/DVD media.
Consider Disabling items in your StartUp list via MSCONFIG (you can generally do without all of them except your AntiVirus, and in some instances your touch pad)
______________
In the off chance that a recently used document or file is being called, but was only available on a CD/DVD that is now not in the tray, the tray may open.
You might benefit from clearing your MRU list.
Here's how for XP (it is different in Vista and Windows 7)
To show your most recently used documents on the Start menu
Right-click the Start button, and then click Properties.
On the Start Menu tab, click Start menu, and then click Customize.
On the Advanced tab, select the "List my most recently opened documents" check box.
The next time you click Start, the My Recent Documents folder is on the Start menu. This folder contains the documents and files you opened recently.
Note
On the Advanced tab, click Clear List to empty the My Recent Documents folder. This does not delete the documents from the computer.
________________
Jeffce
When posting a Software or Hardware problem it is useful to provide enough information in your problem statement or question, so that Helpers can focus on your specific problem without wondering if they are on the right track, or needing to ask basic questions about your system.
You helpfully told us what computer Brand and series you are dealing with.
But we are left to presume what OS you may be using.
Your particular machine may have come with either XP or possibly with Vista.
Some considerations would be different depending on OS.
Please read and use my posting assist How-to for this Forum:
http://forums.whatthetech.com/index.php?act=SR&f=126
Best Regards
jeffce
Thank you so much. I am going to check out the forum you directed me to at Dell.
Sorry about the lack of information. 
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