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Problems with drives and other storage devices
This section includes three drive problems which are hard disk drive, solid-state drive, and optical drive.
Hard disk drive problems
• Problem: The hard disk drive makes a rattling noise intermittently.
Solution: The rattling noise might be heard:
– When the hard disk drive begins or nishes getting access to data.
– When you carry the hard disk drive.
– When you carry your computer.
This is a normal characteristic of a hard disk drive and is not a defect.
• Problem: The hard disk drive does not work.
Solution: On the Boot menu of ThinkPad Setup, make sure that the hard disk drive is on the Boot priority
order list. If it is on the Excluded from boot order list, it is disabled. Select the entry for it on the list
and press Shift+1 to move it back to the Boot priority order list.
• Problem: After setting a hard disk password on the hard disk drive of the computer, you moved the drive
to another computer. Now you cannot unlock the hard disk password.
Solution: Your computer supports an enhanced password algorithm. Computers older than yours might
not support such a security function.
A solid-state drive problem
Problem: When you compress les or folders by use of the data compression function in Windows, and then
decompress them, the process of writing to or reading from the les or folders is slow.
Solution: Apply the disk defragmentation tool in Windows for faster access to the data.
Optical drive problems
• Problem: The optical drive, such as a CD, DVD, or CD-RW drive, does not work.
Solution: Make sure that the computer is turned on and a CD, DVD, or CD-RW is properly loaded on the
center pivot of the drive. (You should hear a click.)
Make sure that the drive connector is rmly connected to the computer. If you use an option that has a bay
for installing the drive, make sure that the option is rmly connected to the computer and works properly.
Make sure that the drive tray is rmly closed.
Make sure that the device drivers are correctly installed.
• Problem: You hear a noise from the drive when the CD, DVD, or CD-RW disc is spinning.
Solution: If the disc is not correctly loaded on the center pivot of the drive, it might rub against the drive
cover and make a noise. Make sure that the disc is loaded correctly in the drive.
• Problem: The tray does not open even if you press the eject button.
Solution: When your computer is not turned on, pressing the eject button does not cause the drive tray
to open. Make sure that the computer is turned on and that the drive connector is rmly connected
to the computer.
If the tray still does not open, make sure that the computer is running, and insert the end of a straightened
paper clip into the emergency eject hole. The tray will open.
• Problem: An optical medium, such as a CD, DVD, or CD-RW disc cannot be read.
Solution: Make sure that the CD, DVD, or CD-RW disc is not dirty. If it is, clean it with a cleaner kit.
Test another CD, DVD, or CD-RW disc. If the computer can read the other disc, the rst disc might be
defective.
Chapter 10. Troubleshooting computer problems 153