ROM drive is haunted!

[NipplesTheCat]

I have a T23 that keeps on making the sound as if I have gone into the utility to safely remove hardware and stopped the DVD drive. Then a couple of seconds later it detects it as if I have put it back in (even though I never removed it to begin with). Im not sure that makes any sense but my DVD drive is seen sometimes and other times it is gone like I have removed it. Could I have a problem with my "Safely Remove Hardware" program or do I likely have a problem with the connector on the DVD drive\laptop?

[Harryc]

Sounds like a problem with the drive eject lever/switch.

[NipplesTheCat]

It seems to happen more often when im using the laptop and moving it around. I cant really be sure of that though because I obviously have no way of knowing if it does it when im not aroundand not using it. : )

Harry. Do you mean that little switch that you use to release the drive?

[Harryc]

Harry. Do you mean that little switch that you use to release the drive?

Yes

[aditya1956]

Harry. Do you mean that little switch that you use to release the drive?

Yes

The little switch actually releases the bay-lever (which pops out) only mechanically, not electrically. The actual electrical switch is inside the bay which closes (on) when the pop lever is pushed in and breaks (off) when it pops out.

This electrical switch is really very small (3mmx4mm), and its activation method relies on the thickness of the bay-lever which is only around 1mm. You can see this whole action if you pull out the drive and throw some light into the bay, while pushing and pulling the lever. Pls see for perfect action here. My lever had over-ridden the switch's small micro-lever and was causing this intermittent problem.

If all seems ok, the next step would be to clean the bay-pin contacts. Use sponge dipped in alcohol etc. to clean up both the drive and the bay's.

This much for the mechanical functionality part.

For any software related problem you should remove the ultrabay device and boot the OS then Turn-off 1/2 times. Then next time when the OS is running put the device back in to the bay and see.

Finally you can try re-loading the "Easy Eject Utility" from the IBM site for your OS.