Cannot read or write to the HPCD Writer. Light comes on briefly when accessed but door won't open.

[earlstroup]

HP Pavilion 515N Model DF237A, Windows XP Home 32-bit

Cannot read or write to the HPCD Writer.  The activity light comes on briefly when accessed but the door will not open.  The Device Manager does not show an error for the device.  Used paper clip to open the drive.  The drive tray was empty.  I do not have the driver for this device.  The drive worked one day then failed the next.

Questions:

1.  Would clearing the Registry upper and lower filters solve the problem?

2.Is it possible to replace the drive with a Dell Internal CD-RW Drive, Sony CD-R/RW or comprable internal CD-RW drive?  Would the door on the HPCD if I replaced the drive?

3.  Is the original HP CD drive still available?  If so where can I get it?

[Danjen]

Clearing the filters is at least worth a try:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929461

[earlstroup]

I uninstalled the driver for the CD R/W using the Device Manager and rebooted.  It restored the driver but the CD R/W still would not open although the light flashes briefly.  I used RegEdit to delete the lower filter (there was no upper filter).  I drive door will still not open.  I looked at the possibility of replacing the device but  I can see how I can remove the CD R/W.  I cannot find a hardware maintenance manual that details how to remove the drive.  Dell makes it easy.  Any suggestions of where to look would be appreciated.

Thanks for you suggestion.

[wb2001]

Earl,

You never answered my inquiry.  The 515n is a DC471A and the 505w is the DF237A according to HP PartsSurfer.

Here is the page on how to remove the DVD/CD drive. Covers most of the 500 series units.

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&taskId=130&prodSeriesId=...

This might also help clarify some of the steps:

1) Remove the case cover. If the other side cover is removeable, do so. There are 3 tabs that hold the front panel. Start at the bottom, press and slightly move the front cover, repeating for the middle and top tabs.

2) Un-plug data and power leads.

3) Look to see which version (on the link) to unscrew the mounting screw(s). Drive then slides out the front.

AS those units only support EIDE/IDE drives, a replacement can be difficult.