CD drive doesn't work after being in water! :(

DrummerDan99 · 21 Nov 2011

Hello,

I am new to SevenForums, and I was looking for some help.
In my neglect, I accidentally put my Dell laptop on the rug in my basement. My basement flooded a day later. Everything works fine except for my CD drive. When I put a CD or DVD in the drive, it makes a whirring sound, then it stops. I look in My Computer and it says that there is no CD in the drive. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

DrummerDan99

System Specs:

Dell Vostro 3550 with Windows 7 Home Premium x64

2.10 GHz Intel Core i3-2310m

8.00GB RAM

DVD Drive: PLDS DVD+ RW DS 8A5SH

Sub Styler · 21 Nov 2011

Your whole system got completely submerged with the battery in and thats the only fault? I'm amazed already!

All I can suggest is trying to dry it out longer by removing it and opening it (either before shutdown or with the emergency eject hole and a paperclip) and putting it somewhere warm (not above 70C). Secondly cleaning the lens could help.

I would hope you have insurance on this as I would expect to hit a lot more problems.

DrummerDan99 · 21 Nov 2011

The battery didn't work at first, so I had to take the battery out and put it into a bag of rice for a few days, then it managed to keep working. Thanks for the CD drive tip. I'll try it and reply.

Britton30 · 21 Nov 2011

I would suggest leaving the battery out and putting the entire laptop in rice with the CD tray open for about one week. Carefully shake out all the grains before applying power.

Darryl Licht · 21 Nov 2011

DrummerDan99 said:

The battery didn't work at first, so I had to take the battery out and put it into a bag of rice for a few days, then it managed to keep working. Thanks for the CD drive tip. I'll try it and reply.

I'd even suggest putting the entire laptop in a large bag of rice to continue and speed the drying process. Was the entire laptop totally submerged as stated by another poster, or did it just get wet?

badger906 · 21 Nov 2011

can always take out the drive and place it in the oven at about 40c for a few hours.

Before anyone says thats stupid lol its not, places on our planet often exceed 40c as do computer components.

Its been tried and tested with mobile phones in the past, could also use a hairdryer lol

sinbin · 21 Nov 2011

I know a fella who dryed out his mobile phone by putting it on the end of his car exhaust!
idea?

Britton30 · 21 Nov 2011

sinbin said:

I know a fella who dryed out his mobile phone by putting it on the end of his car exhaust!
idea?

Absolutlely not! Way, way too hot. Poor idea!

badger906 said:

can always take out the drive and place it in the oven at about 40c for a few hours.

Before anyone says thats stupid lol its not, places on our planet often exceed 40c as do computer components.

Its been tried and tested with mobile phones in the past, could also use a hairdryer lol

Another poor idea! there are places on the planet where electronics won't function as well.

Hopalong X · 21 Nov 2011

I'll go with the hair dryer on medium heat. On high hold it at least eight inches from the CD/DVD drive.

Use a lens cleaner disc if it ever decides to work. A new CD/DVD drive is only about $20 if that one is dead.

PooMan UK · 21 Nov 2011

Ok firstly stick your head in a bag of rice and wait for your brain to dry out, why on earth did you leave your laptop on a rug in the basement of all places

:)

But all joking aside pal take Hopalong's advise and invest in a new DVD drive. Even USB external ones aren't to expensive