Booting up problem - due to CD drive?

[beanbert]

Hello guys. A while ago I was using my computer just browsing the net etc & I got the blue screen of death. My computer restarted fine but then a few days later it did again, this time it didn't restart & my CD Rom drive started making a clicking noise like a click every second. It won't open & now my computer won't boot up, it sounds like it's booting up but the CD drive just keeps clicking & the screen is blank there's no bios screen or anything. Any ideas? Cheers.

[RandyL]

Normally a clicking sound is likely to be the hard drive not an optical drive. If however you are sure the sound is coming from the optical drive disconnect the power and data cable. I have seen a faulty DVD/CD drive prevent a computer from booting into Windows even though it was not the first drive in the boot order. Strange but true.

[beanbert]

Believe it or not, I actually bought a new hard drive as I assumed that was the problem. Put the new hd in thinking I could just reinstall windows & the clicking sound remained without booting up still, with the computer case off I now know it's the CD rom drive. I'll buy a cheap CD rom drive & see if it works.

[Plastic Nev]

Just try removing all plugs from the CD/DVD drive first and see if it boots up then. If so by all means obtain a new one, but if it still doesn't boot with cables disconnected, it may be another issue.

Better to find out now before going and buying a new disk drive to find the problem still there.

 

Nev.

[KenB]

Normally a clicking sound is likely to be the hard drive not an optical drive. If however you are sure the sound is coming from the optical drive disconnect the power and data cable. ......

 

If you had waited for a reply you could have saved yourself the cost of the hard drive. :)

 

You can always buy an external enclosure for the drive or add it as an extra storage drive internally.

[beanbert]

lol I bought the new 500gb hard drive before I posted on here, but I needed a new one anyway as I ran out of room for all my music, movies etc so i'll just add it as a secondary. I've ordered a new cheap Liteon dvd writer it was only like £15 so see if it makes a difference when it arrives this week. Cheers guys.

[KenB]

Thanks for the feedback - let us know how the DVD Writer goes.

Seems good value for £15 :)

[beanbert]

Right, my dvd drive arrived today so I've just replaced the old one that was clicking & it still won't boot up. My tv is recognising theres something connected via hdmi but its blank.. I even tried connecting my new hard drive as the main & nothing. Not too good with comps but any ideas? Cheers.

[KenB]

I've just replaced the old one that was clicking & it still won't boot up.

We have never suggested that replacing the DVD Drive would solve the booting-up problem.

 

Nev wrote:

Just try removing all plugs from the CD/DVD drive first and see if it boots up then. If so by all means obtain a new one, but if it still doesn't boot with cables disconnected, it may be another issue.

 

Is the DVD Drive SATA or IDE ( IDE used a broad grey data cable ) ?

 

Disconnect the DVD Drive.

Take the power lead out and disconnect the data cable from the motherboard.

Try booting up.

 

Does the machine beep just after you switch on ?

( assuming it used to ?? )

[beanbert]

I know I was just hoping by some chance a new dvd drive would fix the problem. I disconnected the cables from the dvd drive & the conputer still won't boot up. Theres no beep but I think it used to.

[KenB]

No POST beeps is not good ( if you were getting one before )

 

Take a look here:

click here

Work through this methodically ( take photos if you need to )

 

If your system has an on-board speaker you should get POST beeps when you strip the motherboard down to just the 20(4) way power connection from the PSU.

Let me know the results please ?

 

If you do get POST this is good.