Disk drive(s) won't open

[Indybird]

This is just about the weirdest problem I've ever seen; when I press the eject button on my disk drive (or click eject in windows), you hear the tray motor start up but then it stops and makes the loading sound like it had just closed. I can get them to open after 20+ tries at this. Also, if there is a disk in it opens no problem.

What do you think could be wrong with it?

OK, now here's the weird part: I've had this happen on both of my disk drives (both Lite-On IDE), one of my friends disk drives (Sony), and my other friend's Xbox 360 disk drive. All the exact same problem and symptoms.

I don't even know what to search for on google, so I came to you guys.

Thanks,
Indybird

[FuzzyPlushroom]

I dunno who makes the 360 drives, but Lite-On and Sony are now the same company. Sounds like something's stopping the drive from ejecting, like there's something stuck inside, or a little belt or gear inside has given out.

If the drives are about the same age, they should be similar inside. Have a look in one of yours (if you power it up with the lid off, don't look at the laser) and see if anything appears to be stripped or loose.

[Indybird]

I dunno who makes the 360 drives, but Lite-On and Sony are now the same company. Sounds like something's stopping the drive from ejecting, like there's something stuck inside, or a little belt or gear inside has given out.

If the drives are about the same age, they should be similar inside. Have a look in one of yours (if you power it up with the lid off, don't look at the laser) and see if anything appears to be stripped or loose.

I forgot to tell you something in the original post (I updated it), this might be something else now.

Thanks,
Indybird

[XcOM]

I forgot to tell you something in the original post, this might be something else now.

Thanks,
Indybird

and this extra info is......?

what could it be....?

[nevermind1534]

It happened to a drive that came out of my parents' old emachines (every one of those computers that I know has had something that got f***ed up). It is a Hitachi LG, I believe. My uncle tried to eject the DVD, and it wouldn't open; he ended up pulling the bottom of the drive off the get the DVD out. It will open and close now, but not smoothly.

[Luke122]

You say it works fine with a disc in the drive? Try adding alittle bit of weight to the drive tray. It's possible the drive gears are getting worn, and not making good contact, and the little bit of weight makes it catch.

[xmastree]

I've had this problem with older drives. In my case it was a little drive belt which started to slip after a while. With the power off, use the pinhole to release the tray and pull it out slowly, you may see the belt just inside the drive. It's possible to replace it without dismantling the drive, but it's tricky.

Some info here near the bottom of the page

[Luke122]

I suppose dust buildup could also cause that belt to slip!

[moon111]

Kids? I've seen cases where kids found it a neat thing to try and put things in. If it don't come back out, they usually don't tell anyone. I've seen everything from change to a 3.5 floppy disk jammed in drives.

[XcOM]

when i was a kid i used to feed my VCR toast with jam,