- 1). Turn the computer off, wait one minute and restart the computer. This is the first step whenever troubleshooting CD drive errors. Computers are not perfect and sometimes a software glitch can cause them to behave erratically. Try using the CD drive again after the computer fully restarts.
- 2). Go to "Start," "My Computer" to see if the drive is being seen and registered by Windows. If the drive is not showing up after a restart and no work has been done inside the computer, there is a high chance the drive has totally failed. Replace the CD drive and test again. This should solve your issue.
- 3). Replace the CD drive cable if a replacement CD drive does not solve the issue.
- 4). Gently insert the end of a straightened paperclip into the emergency eject hole on the front of the CD drive to retrieve a stuck CD if rebooting the system is ineffective. Once the CD is retrieved, gently close the CD tray and push the eject button gently but firmly to verify whether or not it will reopen. If it will not reopen, there has been a failure of the mechanics within the drive. Replace the CD drive.
- 5). Clean CDs by spraying window cleaner on the disc surface and wiping straight across the disc (not in circles) before reinserting the CD into the CD drive and attempting to read the CD again. If the CD was dirty, this will correct the issue.
- 6). Insert another CD into the CD drive of the Dell Dimension C521. If the second disc works while the first did not, the issue is with the first CD and not with the CD drive.
- 7). Open the CD drive and spray compressed air within to clean the inside before trying the CD again if you are getting read errors.
- 8). Use a CD drive cleaning kit to clean the laser on the CD drive if you are getting read errors.
- 9). Update the firmware for the CD drive (see Resources). Sometimes slight changes in firmware will cause errors in CD drives.
- 10
Replace the CD drive if the drive is spinning and Windows is registering it but it will not “see” any discs in the drive. The laser has failed in this case.
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