184
If Something Goes Wrong
Resolving a hardware conflict
A diskette will not go into the optional external diskette drive.
You may already have a diskette in the drive. Make sure the drive is
empty.
You may be inserting the diskette incorrectly. Hold the diskette with
the hub side facing down, and insert it so that the metal head
window cover goes into the drive first.
The metal cover or a loose label may be obstructing the path into
the drive. Carefully inspect the diskette. If the metal cover is loose,
replace the diskette. If the label is loose, replace the label and try
inserting the diskette again.
The drive cannot read a diskette.
Try another diskette. If you can access the second diskette, the first
diskette (not the drive) is probably causing the problem. Run Error-
checking on the faulty diskette (for instructions see
internal storage drive problems” on page 182
Optical drive problems
You cannot access a disc in the drive.
If the optical drive is an external drive, make sure that the drive’s
cable is properly connected to the computer.
Make sure the tray that holds the optical disc is closed properly.
Press gently until it clicks into place.
Open the tray and remove the disc. Make sure the tray is clean. Any
dirt or foreign object can interfere with the laser beam.
Examine the disc to see if it is dirty. If necessary, wipe it with a
clean cloth dipped in water or a neutral cleaner.
Replace the disc in the tray. Make sure that the disc is lying flat,
label side up. Close the tray carefully, making sure it has shut
completely.
You press the disc eject button, but the drive tray does not
slide out.
Make sure the computer is connected to a power source and turned
on. The optical drive eject mechanism requires power to operate.
Make sure a program is not accessing the drive and preventing it
from ejecting.
If you need to remove a disc and cannot turn on the computer (for
example, if the battery is completely discharged), use a narrow
object, such as a straightened paper clip, to press the manual eject
