Dell Precision T5400 (Late 2007): Optical Drive Problems Problems Writing to an Optical Drive
Optical Drive Problems Problems Writing to an Optical Drive: Dell Precision T5400 (Late 2007)
Table of contents
- Notes, Notices, and Cautions
- Contents
- Finding Information What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- Setting Up Your Computer Changing Between Tower and Desktop Orientations Switching From Tower to Desktop Orientation Switching From Desktop to Tower Orientation
- Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure
- • If your enclosure has doors, ensure that they allow at least thirty percent airflow through the enclosure (front and back).
- Transferring Information to a New Computer Microsoft Windows XP
- Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (With the Operating System Disc)
- Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (Without the Operating System Disc) CREATE A WIZARD DISK COPY DATA FROM THE SOURCE COMPUTER
- TRANSFER DATA TO THE DESTINATION COMPUTER Microsoft Windows Vista Power Protection Devices
- Surge Protectors Line Conditioners Uninterruptible Power Supplies
- About Your Computer Front View (Tower Orientation) 5 IEEE 1394 connector (optional)
- 12 diagnostic lights (4) Use these lights to help you troubleshoot a computer
- Back View (Tower Orientation)
- Back Panel Connectors (Tower Orientation) 5 link integrity light Green — A good connection exists between a 10-Mbps
- 10 USB 2.0 connectors (5)
- Front View (Desktop Orientation) 6 hard-drive activity light
- 12 diagnostic lights (4)
- Back View (Desktop Orientation)
- Cleaning Your Computer Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor Mouse (Non-Optical)
- Floppy Drive CDs and DVDs Troubleshooting Tools Power Lights
- • Eliminate interference. Some possible causes of interference are:
- Diagnostic Lights Diagnostic Light Codes During POST Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Beep Codes Code Cause Code Description Suggested Remedy
- Code Description Suggested Remedy System Messages
- Hardware Troubleshooter
- Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
- Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Disc Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Option Function
- Option Function Tab Function
- Troubleshooting Battery Problems Drive Problems
- Optical Drive Problems Problems Writing to an Optical Drive
- Hard Drive Problems E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems HECK THE MICROSOFT OUTLOOK EXPRESS SECURITY SETTINGS — If you cannot CHECK THE TELEPHONE LINE CONNECTION CHECK THE TELEPHONE JACK CONNECT THE MODEM DIRECTLY TO THE TELEPHONE WALL JACK USE A DIFFERENT TELEPHONE LINE —
- RUN THE MODEM DIAGNOSTIC TOOL — ENSURE THAT YOU ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET — Ensure that you have
- Error Messages
- IEEE 1394 Device Problems Keyboard Problems
- Lockups and Software Problems The computer does not start up The computer stops responding A program stops responding A program crashes repeatedly
- A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system A solid blue screen appears Other software problems
- BACK UP YOUR FILES IMMEDIATELY Memory Problems IF YOU EXPERIENCE OTHER MEMORY PROBLEMS — Mouse Problems C HECK THE MOUSE CABLE —
- RESTART THE COMPUTER — HECK THE MOUSE SETTINGS — Network Problems
- Power Problems
- Printer Problems
- Sound and Speaker Problems
- No sound from headphones Video and Monitor Problems The screen is blank
- CHECK THE MONITOR POWER LIGHT — The screen is difficult to read
- 3D image quality is poor

Windows Vista:
• Click the Windows Vista Start button and click
Computer
.
If the drive is not listed, perform a full scan with your antivirus software to check for and
remove viruses. Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive.
T
EST THE DRIVE —
• Insert another disc to eliminate the possibility that the original drive is defective.
• Insert a bootable floppy disk and restart the computer.
CLEAN THE DRIVE OR DISK — See
"Back View (Desktop Orientation)" on page 25
.
C
HECK THE CABLE CONNECTIONS
RUN THE HARDWARE TROUBLESHOOTER — See "Restoring Your Operating System"
in your User’s Guide.
R
UN THE DELL DIAGNOSTICS — See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 36.
Optical Drive Problems
NOTE: High-speed optical drive vibration is normal and may cause noise, which
does not indicate a defect in the drive or the media.
NOTE: Because of different regions worldwide and different disc formats, not all
DVD titles work in all DVD drives.
A
DJUST THE WINDOWS VOLUME CONTROL —
• Click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen.
• Ensure that the volume is turned up by clicking the slidebar and dragging it up.
• Ensure that the sound is not muted by clicking any boxes that are checked.
CHECK THE SPEAKERS AND SUBWOOFER — See "Sound and Speaker Problems" on
page 51.
Problems Writing to an Optical Drive
CLOSE OTHER PROGRAMS — The optical drive must receive a steady stream of data
during the writing process. If the stream is interrupted, an error occurs. Try closing all
programs before you write to the optical.
T
URN OFF STANDBY MODE IN WINDOWS BEFORE WRITING TO A DISC — Search for
the keyword standby in Windows Help and Support for information on power
management modes.
40 Quick Reference Guide

