Thinkpads Forum

I've got a T420, very stock. W10. Not used very much so running hours are quite low. The CD ROM is not being recognized. After a boot-up it is recognized in File Explorer but when I click on it I get a message "Location Currently Not Available". It allows me to open the drive with the eject button and also by a key command. And then, eventually, it disappears from File Explorer (but shows up again after a reboot). CD Rom was working OK months ago. I tried a reset to an earlier state (of about a month ago). No luck. Any ideas?

Try to remove and reinsert the drive, it might just be a bad/dirty contact.

I thought that might be the case. I pulled it and put it back in. No luck. I gave it a shot of DeoxIT to make sure. Still won't work. I wish I had someone nearby to be able to plug this UltraBay unit in to check if it is OK.

I'd also check with a Linux Live-CD, it wouldn't be the first time that W10 Micro$hafts someone...

I'm giving up until I get a new UltraBay drive (I just ordered one from newegg, $30+).

Back again. Installed a new CD drive received from newegg (speedy delivery, discussed below). That was it, a failed drive. Now back with an operating drive and was able to install some new software But it was not an easy installation. I ordered it according to the Lenovo FRU number but that is not what I received. This one had HP references on it. What I had to do was disassemble the original by removing several plastic items and put them on the replacement drive (the screw holes all matched). A pain. The actual drive is constructed differently but everything fits in the TP OK.

I was provided tracking info and I saw that it was shipped from the Chinese factory and made it to NY and then shipped here by USPS. All in about 5 days time. Amazing.