How to Get a CD Drive to Open on a Dell Computer

Dell is a popular brand of all-in-one computers that come with a pre-installed CD or DVD drive. Typically you press the "Eject" button on the panel of the CD-dive to open it. But it often may be convenient to open this drive using a Windows command. It also happens that a disc may be stuck inside the CD drive due to various reasons. In such a case you need to use the CD drive emergency release mechanism to eject a disc.

Things You'll Need

• Paper clip

Instructions

Using a Windows Command

1. Click the "Start" button in Windows.

2. Click on "Computer" to open Windows Explorer.

3. Right-click on the icon "CD Drive."

4. Click on "Eject" in the context menu to open the CD drive.

Emergency CD drive opening

1. Straighten the paper clip.

2. Find a small pinhole on the computer CD-ROM panel located near the "Eject" button.

3. Insert the straight piece of the paper clip in the hole.

4. Keep gently pressing the paper clip until the CD-ROM tray pops open. Then take out the paper clip.

5. Pull out the CD tray to completely open it.

References

• Fonerbooks.com: Laptop DVD Tray Won't Eject
• "Windows Vista: The Missing Manual;" David Pogue; 2006

Resources

• Dell Computers