Newish DVD rw Ram recently only opens with the button if there is a disc in the drive. Without a disc in the drive, it will only open using a paper clip. Even EJECT under my computer won't work unless a disc is present. I hear the mechanism start but there is then the sound as if it is somehow locked. Any ideas? Uninstall/reinstall drive? Nero is installed on XP Home.

Hey Chewy, I see you're looking in. This is the same computer that I recently cleaned up after the viral assault. Any relation??

That really sounds like it's broken, you might try removing it from device manager and rebooting

Has sonic/roxio ever been installed on the computer?

http://www.bustrace.com/products/devfilter.htm

the only filter drivers that are safe are redbook and imapi

I tried the uninstall/reinstall without success. The drive will open ONLY when there is a disc in the drive. Otherwise, I need a paper clip. I hear it try to open and then there is a pause and then it stops as if it is somehow locked/blocked. I thought of removing the faceplate but the fact that the paper clip works seems that there is no physical block.
I'm not sure if Roxio/Sonic were ever installed but the CD/R below this unit functions properly.
I checked the link but am unsure what you suggest I do with it.
I am out for a while and will check any suggestions when I return.
Thanks

double check the drive placement and jumpersettings

the top drive should be jumpered master and at the end of the cable, the bottom drive slave and at the next to end position on the cable

if all connections are correct try another ide cable, if that doesn't fix it then the drive is bad

try in another computer also

Hi C,
I cut to the chase and tried it in another computer. Same symptoms so I guess it's the unit. I tried to remove the faceplate to see if that would matter but I only see three release spots and then it still seems stuck on top. Should this faceplate removal be done with the tray open? It is a Benq DQ60.
Thanks

you have to apply power or force tray open, then press the release catches

then remove the six small screws

it wasn't a very good drive anyway tho

So it seems with the most minimal of use!

Got the faceplate off (thanks) but it didn't make any difference.
Just noticed, the autoeject also works at the end of writing etc. as well as manual eject anytime that there is a disc present. Absent a disc... NG.
I know these burners cost less than $25 (I think I got this one for my buddy free after rebate... got what I paid for) but I am still curious as to how this one malfunctions.
Thanks for the feedback.

I practised on broken plextor premium cdrw's, fixed a couple by swapping parts out, first few cd-roms I took apart were just to learn on. Last year I disassembled a problem nec 3550 dvd rw that had seen it's better days, relubbed and cleaned the laser lens, reassembled and then burned a dvd and did a quality scan and got a 98 score with premium blank

I have never run into your problem, but dvd burners are funny creatures, they can have unique malfunctions

I may try and wheedle some information out of Ben Q manufacturer.
I'll post back when I hear. Thanks again, Mr. Baca.

liteon assimilated benq optical division long ago and far away, your drive was an outsourced experiment

My benq 1650 and 1620(spare) were true benqs

I wouldn't even waste an email

Too late, kbs wasted. Email already sent to the distant...

Wookie was right. BenQ response and support was about as useful as tits on a bull. No explanation. I will have my buddy stock up on paper clips.
Thanks again for the walkaround.