CD-ROM tray not opening

My son complained his CD-ROM tray would not open if he closed the drive
without a disc in there. Opens no problem if a disc is present.

I took it apart and found the tray opening mechanism was not exerting
sufficient force to release the magnetic disc clamp when there was no
disc separating the magnet from the steel washer it 'sticks' to.

I didn't see anything that looked like it might adjust the force applied
by the tray opening mechanism before it decides the tray is jammed and
gives up, so I took a pragmatic approach and stuck a piece of electrical
tape over the washer.

This solution works perfectly, and there's no risk of the tape coming
unstuck as the washer clips into a plastic housing, but I'm curious as
to what may have caused the problem and what the 'proper' repair is.

 

The load belt may be slipping a bit, the magnet may be borderline too
strong - this happens, the motor may be somewhat less efficient than it
was - maybe a bit of carbon at the brushes - the motor drive voltage may be
a bit low.

Mark Z.

 

My son complained his CD-ROM tray would not open if he closed the drive

Depending on the age of the CD-ROM drive, the proper repair is replacement of
the belt which drives the drawer load mechanism. If the belt is old enough, it
will slip to the point where it won't release the clamping mechanism.

You have to use a replacement belt that is only slightly smaller than the belt
that was in the drive.

DO NOT use rubber bands. They are not an acceptable substitute. They have too
much give and are prone to snapping. - Reinhart