Thinkpads Forum

I have a really weird problem with my DVDRW drive in my T43p.

I was just copying (drag and drop) the contents of an old CD-R, when all of a sudden it stopped spining, made the noise as if it was tring to load a disc twice and then nothing, exept for the status LED flashing constantly.
Now whatever I try, the light keeps blinking and whenever I insert any kind of media it just does the two noises and stops.
I've tried anything I could think of like taking out the drive, restarting windows...
In windows it its still there but always shows as empty.
The LED even continues flashing when it booting up, which makes me think it might not have anything to do with windows.

What should/can I do?

Is it broken? or is something wrong with windows?

Thanks a lot for any replies.

Sorry for the bump,

but I just don't know what to do.

Might calling Lenovo be reasonable?
Should be a customer replacable item really.
I have no experience with customer service or broken hardware whatsoever, since this is my first computer I bought with a warranty.

Or is there any way to "reset" the drive or somethink similar.

Find a bootable CD, put the CD in the drive, turn off the ThinkPad, then turn it back on. At the IBM spash screen press F12 to get a boot menu and choose boot from CD. If the CD boots, then you likely have a Windows problem. If the CD does nothing or you get an error message, then the DVDRW drive is probably bad.

You can download and create this CD for diagnostics and to test booting from the CD-DVD drive. If you make this CD, test in another computer as well to verify that it does boot.
PC Doctor for DOS bootable CD - ThinkPad

Great, thanks!

I' go and try that.

Right now I haven't got a possibility to make one of those disks you suggest, but I just tried a Ubuntu Live CD, from which I know worked on this Thinkpad before.
Result: Once again no reaction from the drive at all.
Doesn't even stop for a sec or so, but goes straight into booting to windows.

Now I really think I've got a Problem, I'll try and get it replaced, I'd be quite upset if they wouldn't replace a drive, which I've hardly ever used and only had for just about 6 months.

if the drive is still under warranty, get it replaced. there is no reason they won't.
if the drive is out of warranty, do a lens clean. doen't cost much and works surprizingly well...

Is the drive removable? If so remove. Use paper clip to extend the drive open. Reseat the main cable. There are two types of cable clips that are used to lock the cable in. One has two little tips on each side of the clip. Use small flathead to pull towards the back about 1/8" each side. Do not pull off. Just enough to loosen. Pull cable out clean.Then replace. Push both sides in may have to push each side a few times.

Just something else to check.

Thanks for the answers.
I've already decided to give lenovo a ring, but I havent been home at any reasonable times yet to place the call.

As for the cabel, I just opend the drive and looked at it. I might give it a try if lenove is uncooperative, but I'm afraid to void the warranty if I fiddle about with it.

Just to let anyone interrested know:

I phoned IBM yesterday (yes I think it is actually IBM that still do the service here in Germany) and after 5 minutes on the phone with one technician and another 5 minutes with another one, he then say'd they'll send me an new drive and would like the old one back. Both of them were very friendly, helpful and sounded as if they knew what they were doing.

EDIT: The package aktually got here the day after ( under 24 hours after I phoned) and worked straight away.