CD-ROM drive keeps popping open

[steadmanSF]

Hi there, I have a laptop user whose CD-ROM drive won't stay closed. Every time we push the tray in the drive's light starts flashing and about 2-3 seconds later the tray pops out again - makes no difference if there is a CD in it or not. This happens even while the machine is starting up and W2000 is loading.

Any thoughts on how to deal with this? The problem started Friday. No new software or drivers were added to the machine.

Thanks.

[glc]

If the drive is removable, eject it and reseat it.

[steadmanSF]

Thanks, I checked that out - on this particular HP notebook it would mean unscrewing the entire case on the bottom side - no easy way to eject the drive unfortunately. Other ideas to try before I do that?

[glc]

If the notebook is still on warranty, I'd contact HP. It really sounds to me like the drive has electromechanically failed.