CD Stuck in HP Pavilion Side Disc Drive, Disc Drive Opens & Closes, but CD disappeared in machine

[Lekkerder]

When I inserted a CD into the disc drive located on the side of my HP 24-b214 Pavilion all-in-one computer, the disc disappeared (could not be read, could not be ejected and is not visible when looking in through the side). I saw an older thread (11-23-2021) about this that offered a solution but it was for a different model computer.

The first suggestion was to carefully shake the computer to get it to come out of the slot. Before trying this, it would be helpful to know where the CD is located inside the computer so we can know which way to tilt the computer: above, below, behind the drive, or elsewhere?

If shaking doesn’t work, can you recommend an online video for opening the case and removing a stuck CD from Product number: Z5M60AA#ABA.

Thanks in advance!

[WAWood]

I wish I had good news for you -- but I have to honest and tell you that I do NOT.

These All-in-One PCs are not designed to have the case removed -- without breaking something serious as a side-effect.  I did this to one of these 2 years ago, and I have worked on dozens of laptops and PCs over the decade, and despite being VERY CAREFUL, I cracked the screen -- all the way across.

Most places won't even touch these PCs, because they are so fragile.

So, unless you are willing to risk something a serious as a cracked screen, you should leave it alone.

[Lekkerder]

Oh, my, that is indeed bad news.

Any idea where the lost disc is located inside the computer, and do you think it would be safe to try to get the disc out by tipping the computer sideways and perhaps very gently and carefully lean it forward or backwards to see if the disc moves back into the slot, or is the machine so delicate that that might crack the screen?

If it's not possible to get the disc out, is it okay to still use the drive to view other CDs or DVDs?

Thanks for the info.

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

As to where the disc is, most likely, it fell to the LOWEST place it could fit.

Tipping the AIO will not harm it in any way -- just be sure NOT to drop it in the process. If you can open the disc drive bay and position the AIO so that is on the bottom, you might just get lucky and have the disc fall out in the process.

As long as the disc does not interfere with the drive bay motion, you can use it for other discs.

[Lekkerder]

We'll give that a try.

Thanks very much!

[Lekkerder]

Good news! It's fixed 😀. We were waiting for a friend to stop by to help and last evening he was able to get the CD out by tipping the computer forward and then towards the disc drive door.

Thanks very much for your help!