RE: Loose cable?

[John Hedtke <john -at- hedtke -dot- com>]

Very easy.

Ummmm, lessee:

1.  Power down the computer.
2.  Unplug the power cable from the back of the computer.  (Failure 
to do so can result in you never completing the remainder of this procedure.)
3.  Carefully unplug the other cables from the back of the 
computer.  If you're not familiar with this, make a note of where 
everything goes.  Labels on the cables are not a bad idea, 
honestly.  You can write on the computer chassis with a pencil or 
fine-point marker.
4.  Open the computer case.  There are a number of different case 
designs, but chances are good that you'll undo 6 screws in the back 
and then gently lift an inverted U hood of metal off the computer (if 
it's a tower) or a lifting a large cover of metal (if it's a desktop 
style).  In both cases, you usually pull up and to the back.
5.  If there are large gobs of dust--and there may be--lift them out 
and throw them away.  You can blow out really bad blobs of dust 
(expect to sneeze).
   *Note* if you pause in this at any time, be sure to ground 
yourself when you resume by touching something metal and grounded 
that's not the computer such as the metal on a power strip or the 
center screw in an electrical socket; anything that you cna reach 
from the computer and will take any static you've got.
6.  Start by reseating the DVD data cable.  This is a large flat 
ribbon cable about 2 inches wide connected to the back of the 
DVD.  Put two fingers on the back of the black cable end and gently 
but firmly rock back and forth with your fingers to press it further 
into the DVD.  Repeat this process with the other end of the cable, 
which will probably be connected to the motherboard.
   *Caution* -- do not press hard enough to bend the motherboard as 
you may crack it, which will require you to get a new motherboard, an 
expensive process.
7.  With the same two-finger, gently-but-firmly technique, press down 
on the tops of each of the cards you see sticking out of sockets on 
the motherboard.  You'll probably feel them "seat" slightly.  This is 
normal: cards will usually creep out of the sockets a bit over time 
due to thermal expansion/contraction.
8.  With everything reseated, carefully replace the cover.  Be alert 
for stray cables that are sticking out and may get caught when you 
slide the cover back on.
9.  Screw the cover back on.
10.  Reattach all the cables, with the power cable being last.
11.  Reboot the computer.

If this doesn't work, then there's more to the problem than a loose 
cable and it's time to go to the mfr's website and check out DVD 
error messages.

Okay, everyone, this is off the top of my head.  What steps did I leave out?

Yours truly,

John Hedtke
Author/Consultant/Contract Writer
www.hedtke.com <-- website
Region 7 Director, STC
541-685-5000 (office landline)
541-554-2189 (cell)
john -at- hedtke -dot- com (primary email)
johnhedtke -at- aol -dot- com (secondary email)

At 12:26 PM 11/19/2007, Cardimon, Craig wrote:
>Thanks for the reply.
>
>How does one reseat a cable?
>
>Is it easy enough for your average mere mortal to do?
>
>Should I download instructions from somewhere?
>
>Craig
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: John Hedtke [mailto:john -at- hedtke -dot- com]
>Sent: Monday, November 19, 2007 3:13 PM
>To: Cardimon, Craig; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>Subject: Re: Loose cable?
>
>Yes, I'd crack the box and check the connections at the drive.  I'd
>also reseat the cable at the motherboard or card end >AND< I'd reseat
>all the cards while you're there, too.
>
>On the offchance you're having thermal problems, download a free
>utility called "SpeedFan" and run it to make sure you're not having
>overheating problems.
>
>If worse comes to worst, Fry's Online (www.outpost.com) has 20X
>DVD-R/+R/RW/RAM burners for $30.
>
>John
>
>At 12:06 PM 11/19/2007, you wrote:
> >The DVD/CD drive on my second-hand computer sometimes functions. I have
> >tracked the error down to a message that basically means I need a new
> >cable connection between the drive and the rest of the machine. Should
>I
> >trust this message? Is there anything else I can do before I crack the
> >box?
>
>Yours truly,
>
>John Hedtke
>Author/Consultant/Contract Writer
>www.hedtke.com <-- website
>Region 7 Director, STC
>541-685-5000 (office landline)
>541-554-2189 (cell)
>john -at- hedtke -dot- com (primary email)
>johnhedtke -at- aol -dot- com (secondary email)

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