Optical Drive Problem on T43 (2687-D3U)

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milqueway · #1 Post by **milqueway** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 1:23 pm

(I hope this is in the right forum -- if it should go elsewhere, I'm sorry!)

I have been recently having problems with the CD/DVD Multi-Burner drive in my T43. It will not recognize a blank CD, any number of data CDs, audio CDs, or DVDs as even being in the drive, let alone read any of the media. I have tried un- and re-installing the driver and re-seating the drive. The Windows Device Manager does not detect any problems with the drive, and could recognize the drive for driver re-installation after I had un-installed it. It fails all the PC-Doctor tests for audio as well as data CDs. Since I'm not the most computer-literate person in the world, I have tried to do some background research and, from what I can tell, it sounds that the drive hardware itself has failed. Is this true? If anyone can suggest anything that I'm overlooking or anything that I might have done that would have caused this problem, it would be much appreciated.

This machine was new as of July this year, however, it was a replacement for a T30 which saw hard drive failure four times in the < 3 years that I owned it (this was a common problem for all of us at my school who bought this particular machine through the Institute's purchasing program). Therefore, as per IBM/Lenovo's replacement policy, the warranty is only extended one month after the original warranty, which ended in August, therefore, this machine seems to be no longer covered past September. I first started noticing problems with the drive in October, but since I rarely use the optical drive, I waited until I had some time to start to try to work with the drivers and other software. Lenovo's warranty detector claims that the machine is still under warranty, but it seems "automatically" programmed to figure the warranty to be three years even though my contract with Lenovo states otherwise. I don't know whether to complain to Lenovo again (would this do anything?) or just suck it up and take it into my local shop and get the thing appraised and drive replaced (how much would that cost? I'm a poor college student). I am very careful about this machine, particularly due to my previous problems, and I rarely use the optical drive. I am currently deciding whether to complain to the customer service lady who handled the return in June, but I'm not sure that calling her direct office line would do anything other than make me sound like a whiny jerk. I've loved my ThinkPads, but I feel like this is bordering on ridiculous.

leegaard · #2 Post by **leegaard** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 2:21 pm

I would surely call the normal warranty service to hear what they said.

I dont know in your end of the world, but legally you would be eligible for at new warranty period.

Anyway - I would not say anything about how you got your Thinkpad. Just ask whether its still under warranty, and tell them about your problem.

My guess is that they will give you a new drive under warranty if the drive is defective.

You dont know another person with at similar machine? The drive is very easy interchanged, and thereby see if the problem persists.

#3 Post by **Kyocera** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 3:07 pm

Sounds like time for a new DVD. You could plug your machine model and serial number in to the IBM web site to check warranty status to be sure. I'd do what leegaard says and call just for the heck of it.

smugiri · #4 Post by **smugiri** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 3:29 pm

FYI: IBM reps make extensive notes on all conversations/comments/tone and demeanour. Being unpleasant to one pretty much gurantees you will be 'treated interestingly' in any future conversations wiith them.

Be nice and they might treat you nice, be bad and ...

#5 Post by **Kyocera** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 4:59 pm

Be nice and they might treat you nice

Be nice and they will treat you nice, IBM has one of the best tech supports out there. I deal with tech support from many different companies, on hardware and software issues. Be truthful and pleasant and be concise about your problem. I think a lot of them get burned out because people call with problems and have not even tried the on board troubleshooting software or read the manual.

milqueway · #6 Post by **milqueway** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 2:13 pm

I didn't mean that I would actually whine at her. I just wonder if informing her of this problem despite the fact that I have signed a contract that states that I understand that my warranty for this machine would expire in September would come across as whiny. I feel that someone at IBM/Lenovo should know about the fact that I have had recurring problems with their machines that do not appear to have arisen through any fault of my own. I would immediately acknowledge any incident that I caused which might have been the source of this problem. However, this drive seemed to stop working out of the blue. (Is there a consensus, btw, that I will need to replace the drive?)

smugiri · #7 Post by **smugiri** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 4:03 pm

Did you try the diagnosis technique that @leegard suggested i.e.
- trying out your optical drive in your thinkpad?
- trying out the optical drive you think has a problem in another thinkpad?

You need to do some basic diagnosis before you can decide if you want to write off your drive as broken.

milqueway · #8 Post by **milqueway** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 4:15 pm

The drive does not seem to work with my ThinkPad. I will not have access to another ThinkPad for quite some time (several weeks, minimum). The drive light also flashes at a constant rate whenever media is inserted into it (and until the media is removed), but it does not appear to be able to read the disc.

Optical Drive Problem on T43 (2687-D3U)

Optical Drive Problem on T43 (2687-D3U)

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