i have no idea how to stop this. it is driving me nuts. the disc thing keeps going in and out. it will stop for a min. then go nuts. in and out very rapidly. then in ad out slowly. is this thing haunted. older dell model. thanks in advance. ed

so you'd have to open it up and
unplug the power off the back of the drive to stop it.

Go into the device manager and scan it for any recent changes, if that don't work use the trouble shooter in the same window to fix the problem. Sounds like a conflict of software going on.

thanki you very much for the help. if i do not succed, please send me your old copy's of o.t.w. to the loony bin.

I'd unplug that drive from the back and grab another . Drives are cheap and simple to install.Dell has a bad rep for using some of the cheapest drives.Just make sure you turn off the computer first.Remove the plug from the wall.When you open the side door look for the metal frame inside the case and grab it to ground yourself.Then remove the 2 or 4 screws or release the plastic tabs holding the drive in.Remove the two connectors on the back of the drive and slide it out the front.Push new drive in the front until you can plug it in.Then seat the drive in it's place using the screws or locking tabs.Plug Computer back in and turn the power on.Shouldn't take more than 5-10 mins.Try and unstuck the the button.

took the sucker apart and cleaned it out. so far, soo good. feels like a rod sterling bit. thanks