APS Tech 101629 Troubleshooting

The drive appears to be receiving no power. No LEDs flashing, or the tray is not openning.

Make sure the power switch is in the on (I) position. A common mistake is leaving the Power switch in the off (O) position. This will cut power to the device even if it is connected properly. If this is the case, no further action should be necessary. If this does not solve the problem, continue reading.

Make sure all connections are completely plugged in. A loose connection may lead to insufficient power to the drive. Firmly reinsert all connections to ensure full power flow. Also, if one connection appears to not be working, check the second connection. If this does not solve the problem, read on.

Be prepared to void your warranty, if it still exist, at this point. If the obove hasn't worked, it is possible the power switch has gone bad and needs to be replaced. For instructions, go to the Power Switch Repair guide.

Older connections are often susceptible to wear and tear. It is possible the digital connections have gone bad. If this is the case, these connections will need to be replaced. Again, be prepared to void you warranty as you follow the SCSI Connections Repair guide.

When the open or eject button is pressed, the tray does not open.

Check to make sure the drive is showing signs of power, such as blinking LEDs or fan noise. If it is not showing signs of power consult the above Power Troubleshooting. If it is showing signs of power, but continues to not open the tray, read on.

Some older devices have a delay between the pressing of the eject button and the actual opening of the tray. Hold the Open/Eject button of the drive to be sure the switch is activated. Continue reading if the problem persists.

It is possible for the bezel to have shifted, blocking the tray from opening. If the bezel is in the path of the tray face, apply pressure to the bezel to make sure it is fully inserted into the drives face. This can normally be done without opening the drive. If this is not the source of the problem or does not solve the problem, continue.

There could be many internal issues including faulty laser and CD not spinning. In these cases it is most efficient to replace the whole internal drive component. Instructions for this can be found in our Internal Drive Repair guide.

The drive appears to be receiving power but is not interacting with the computer.

Check to make sure all connections are fully secure. Remove and reinsert all connections firmly to ensure proper fit. If the connections are secure, continue on.

Check to make sure that the inputs on both the computer and the external drive aren't damaged. If the connections on the external drive appear to be faulty, follow our SCSI Connections Repair guide for replacement. If both inputs look functional, continue on.

Check to make sure that all wires inside of the drive connect properly to the inside of the digital input. If all of these are correct then the problem may be with the computer. To take a look inside to check all internal connections, follow our External Casing Disassembly guide.

The fan is constantly humming or is disturbingly loud.

Dust or debris may have accumulated on or around the fan blades, causing the noise. To access the fan, the drive must be slightly disassembled. Refer to the Exhaust Fan Repair guide in order to access the fan. Upon removal, compressed air will clear most debris and the fan may be replaced. If this doesn't solve the problem, continue to the below steps.

The temperature gauge wire allows the fan to adjust its speed depending on varying internal temperatures. Movement of the gauge wire within the device may cause an improper reading. Open the case using the External Casing Disassembly guide and check that the white wire leading from the fan is placed properly on top of the internal drive. If the wire is properly placed, or this change doesn't solve the problem, read on.

The fan or circuit board may be failing, causing the fan to malfunction and either work too hard or not at all. Replacing the fan is the only option. For help, see the Exhaust Fan Repair guide.

The device becomes very warm or is slowing to a stop.

Check the back of the device to make sure nothing is blocking the flow of air to the fan vent. Also check to make sure that there are no other devices generating excess heat nearby. The vent is located on the back next to the power switch.

The fan or circuit board may be failing, causing the fan to malfunction and either work too hard or not at all. Replacing the fan is the only option. For help, see the Exhaust Fan Repair guide.

Disk drive displays error message on screen or does not do anything after the CD is placed in the disk tray.

Take CD out and wipe with a clean nonabrasive cloth. Dust, hair, or oil from handling can build up and cause the device to be unable to read the CD. Inspect the CD for any visible scratches, as they can corrupt the data stored on the CD. If still unsuccessful, try another CD before assuming this is not the issue.

There could be many internal issues including faulty laser and CD not spinning. In these cases it is most efficient to replace the whole internal drive component. For help, follow the Internal Drive Component Repair guide.