CD Rom does not open

On my second computer the cd-rom will not open either by pressing its button or by clicking "eject" in Windows Explorer. It does open though when I stick a pin (straightened paperclip) into the little front hole and it plays and burns perfectly. My question is whether it is safe to continue using the straightened paperclip to open it or am I likely to cause some further damage?

Thanks in advance for all advice.

Boozad said:

Buy a new one, they're dirt cheap.

Not in my case - spent almost $100 - same intermittent problem.

Thanks for the replies, friends. Some more info: the door will not open and eject when there is no disc. When I burn or play the machine ejects automatically when finished as it should ... does not open only when it's empty, no disc.

Something else. Dirt cheap is a relative term. Here in Ottawa, Canada for a 70-year old man who does not know how to take a CP apart and replace things for himself:

new cheap internal cd-rom = $40.00
minimum charge for installation = $75.00
tax on parts and service (13%) = $14.95
TOTAL: $129.95

and that's for a bottom of the line cheap piece of Chinese sh!t from Best Buy).

That's why I asked if I can keep on using the pin without causing more problems.

tonyvella said:

When I burn or play the machine ejects automatically when finished as it should ... does not open only when it's empty, no disc.

Since the CD will open if software driven, have you tried this:

Eject and Close CD/DVD Tray - Add to Desktop Context Menu

It may not work, but it can't hurt to try it and see if it will solve your problem.

As for the paperclip, I had a Dell that had the same problem. Must have used "the paperclip software" for years on it without any problems.

Jim