DVD burner Open/Close button on case is broken

[JudgeGarth]

I have an HP Pavillion a330n. The button that opens and closes the DVD burner is broken. I thought it was the switch on the drive itself, but I opened the case and it's a lever in the case that pushes the button on the drive. It looks like it's attached by four little pins and two of them are broken. Can this be fixed or do I need a whole new case? I can still open and close the drive if I stick something into the hole and press against the button on the drive.

[redwudz]

I'm sure you could come up with something to operate the button, but another alternative is a program that can open and close the tray via software, like the freeware Drive tray Manipulator: http://www.soft32.com/download_120793.html

Just put the open and close buttons on your 'Desktop' and it should work fine. It will work with drives labeled D, E, F, G.

[p_l]

I was going to say just right-click on the drive in My Computer and choose Eject, but the above solution sounds cooler.

[t0nee1]

Or keep using the stick in hole thingy, or buy new burner.....

[oldandinthe way]

You can buy a new burner for $30. How much is having something that works the way its supposed to worth to you.

[SingSing]

What brand is the drive ?

Maybe you can find a old CD drive with the same brand that has the same setup. Most place sell or give away at penny.

[JudgeGarth]

Thanks. That software solution works and it is pretty cool!

BTW, it's not the burner that's at fault. It's a lever in the computer case that pushes against the button on the burner. If I just replaced the burner, I'd still have the same problem.

[buttzilla]

I believe what he is saying is it is not the burner button itself. Some case have a shroud over the cd/dvd drive that is in the style of the case. The button on the shroud that pushes the button on the dvd drive is broken. I have a case like this at home. I just use the eject method to deal with it.

[JudgeGarth]

Buttzilla is correct. It is not the burner button itself. The button on the shroud on the case is broken. I guess I'll just use the software method or the stick-in-the-hole thingy. It's not worth replacing the whole computer case just for that. Thanks for all your help!

[Noahtuck]

Just put the open and close buttons on your 'Desktop' and it should work fine. It will work with drives labeled D, E, F, G.

That's kind of stupid.... what if your optical drives are lettered higher than G
It won't even let you configure it to use drives higher than G.....
Which both of mine are.

[redwudz]

Yes, I had the same problem with one computer where the optical drives were H, I. That's why I mentioned it. The program is fairly simple, so there may be a way to modify it.

I used it on a computer that had pop open doors over the optical drives. Opening is easy, a lot of programs can 'eject', but not many close the drive. This computer hid the open/close button when the tray was extended. The only way to close the tray on this computer was to push on it. With a flimsy tray, I figured I would damage it eventually.

It's also handy with programs that insist on leaving the drive tray open after a burn. If I don't feel like getting up and going to the other side of the room where the computer is to close the tray, I just push the software button.

[Noahtuck]

Yeah it seem's like it'd come in handy under certain circumstances but it suck's they did not make it so you could choose your own drive letter or aim it at your specific drive.

I also hate programs that just install themselves where they want and not let you choose the directory 8) But that's just one of my pet peeves :P

And DVD Decrypter is one tool that will eject and load your drives tray

[TBoneit]

Your HP wasn't one of the ones with a spare opening for another optical drive? Have you tried glueing it back on. You could try glueing it with hot melt, Crazy Glue, or take a small drill and drill it and use a self tapping screw.

Alternative is as I remember it that is a desktop case and uses mostly standard form factor parts. Most likely a ASUS motherboard. So you might get lucky and find an online manual showing how all the wires connect up.

[buttzilla]

By the way if the shroud is the same size as the front of a regualr dvd drive and it can be removed you could readjust the dvd drive bracket from inside the case and slide the drive up to different mount holes in the bracket probably a half inch or less so it will be flush with the front of the case..

[lordsmurf]

Just glue something in there. Easy enough.

[12Quidkidinnit]

Just glue something in there. Easy enough.

That's what I do.

I was thinking maybe cut a small piece of balsa wood of the right dimensions, and superglue it to the back of the button in the computer case. Superglue increases the tensile strength of balsa by loads so it won't collapse when it's dry and you press it.
If you need ideas for other things to glue into it, how about a button from an old remote control, part of a match stick / tooth pick, or a jumper connector off the back of an old IDE drive ?