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Question

Empty Drive Bay Door Keeps Opening

Jan 3, 2013 12:01AM PST

The door for the blank CD/DVD drive bay on the front of my XPS-9000 keeps opening. I keep closing it. Any ideas on how to keep it closed?
Thanks,
Drew

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Have you checked with Dell?
Jan 3, 2013 12:12AM PST

Dell has some good hardware forums at their site you can use if your warranty has expired. I'm not sure what you mean by empty drive bay. If there's truly nothing in the bay, you could use glue to keep it closed. I wouldn't use super glue if you think you'd ever want to install something in that bay though.

Good luck.

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Answer
Drive bay door
Jan 3, 2013 10:30PM PST

If you mean the tray to install a disc keeps popping out...then the most likely suspect is the optical unit.

It's a 25 buck item.

There is a button on the front of the unit to eject a disc.....work that button 10/12 times.....see if that makes the unit happy.

I suppose it could be a software issue.....years ago there was a 'coffee cup holder' prank that went around.

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Answer
THE TEST
Jan 4, 2013 1:56AM PST

I have a test for such units. Both IDE and SATA drives use a power connection and a data connection. If I pull the DATA connection and turn on the PC I can see if the behavior continues. If it does I pop in a new drive.

If it doesn't and it's IDE, I worry but move on to scanning for pests.

The newer tech might skip the cable test and scan for pests and lose a day and maybe the client in the process.
Bob

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No Drive Door Opens
Jan 4, 2013 5:04AM PST

There is no drive behind the door that keeps opening. It is a blank.
The Dell forums have some strange hoops to jump through that prevent me from posting there.

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So this is a mechanical failure?
Jan 4, 2013 5:09AM PST

Sorry but the old cd drive door open issue is one of the classics.

If this is a door that it's latch has failed you have choices to make. Glue, tape, ignore it, or rip it off.
Bob

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Tape?
Jan 4, 2013 5:30AM PST

My Dell machine.....looks just like the 9000.....has those little doors.

Their spring loaded pieces of plastic......Bling.

Since this is a non-functional door.....put a little piece of tape on it.

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Around the office we use ugly duck tape.
Jan 4, 2013 5:37AM PST

The reason is simple. If there is theft they have shown a predilection to the pretty boxes or laptops.
Bob