CDROM - Push it in or Press the Button?

[Lord Prism]

So,
Does pushing In your CDROM tray (to close it) shorten the life or cause any damage to the tray mechanism?
Is the drive designed to be closed by pressing the 'eject disc' button on the front of the drive?

Does it really matter!??!?!?!? :)

Just curious...

[ktkendall]

I only recently found out you can do that and I about freaked at the person cause I was sure they were trying to destroy the drive, but now that I know it works I wouldn't think it matters, but I really don't know for sure..

[bailey]

it should not have any effect, I have done it both ways for years

at one time I think it once said in the instructions you can close the drawer eather way

[doctorgonzo]

If the drive can do it, then it shouldn't cause a problem.

Check the documentation. I have had some CD players that can't be shut by pushing on the tray; trying to do so with one of those drives would damage the mechanism. But most drives are made assuming that people will push them shut.

[reboot]

Nudge it violently with my foot. Surprisingly, it's still working. :D

[Tuf]

I don't think it matters, but I normally use the button because it seems like it would be easier on the drive. I have seen them shoved in and last for years and years.

[Iman74]

I am positive that won't have effect for sometimes I get so angry at my older PC's that I lose patience and force the CD-ROMS open and close. It's not good I know I know. I should take whatever Tyson takes to control his temper.

[foghat46]

Stay away from Tyson's medication, Iman74, it might make you as stupid as he is. I always use the button, unless I hit it by accident. With my luck, I'd push it wrong and break off the tray.

[Force Flow]

I usually just give it a little push, rather than push the botton to close it. I always push the button to open it, though. ;)

[Hot Rod]

Originally posted by force_flow2002
I usually just give it a little push, rather than push the botton to close it. I always push the button to open it, though. ;)

You mean you don't use a screwdriver to open it? :)

I usually use the button to close it but you can do it either way. They are built for it. I just like to play with buttons and anything that blinks. :D

[doctorgonzo]

Originally posted by force_flow2002
I usually just give it a little push, rather than push the botton to close it. I always push the button to open it, though. ;)

I used to use pliers, but then I noticed it didn't work more than once per drive. ;)

[Lord Prism]

Thanks Guys.
I pretty much stick with the button for both.
Wife and kids hit the tray shut.

Perhaps the violent foot thrust would add flavor to the pc... :)

[glc]

Use the button, folks - it's too easy to slip and knock the tray off the tracks.

[Lord Prism]

Let's hear it for the BUTTON PUSHERS!!

[Xayd]

Actually they should just stop making the drives with the stupid trays. Everyone should take Pioneer's lead and make them all slot loading, problem solved.

[Force Flow]

Originally posted by Xayd
Actually they should just stop making the drives with the stupid trays. Everyone should take Pioneer's lead and make them all slot loading, problem solved.

Lol! Those things are cool. Does anyone know where you can get them?

[Tuf]

Just about all of the online stores carry them AFAIK. I think they are cooler but I have had better luck with the trays and the tray drives are often cheaper.

[foghat46]

But if I went to all slot loaders, I wouldn't have anyplace to set my Pepsi.

[DrZaius]

Yep, I press the button to retract my cup-holder when I'm not using it to hold sodas like foghat46. ;)

[cmillion]

I have always been a button kinda guy.

[Jay32]

If the button were in a more convenient location I would probably be a button pusher too, but it isn't so I'm not.

Thinking that my tray pushing habits could be damaging my hardware, I performed a torture test a few months back:
I had an old system with a 12X CDROM (Toshiba, I think) in it. It wouldn't read CDRW's so I was planning on trashing it anyway. With the system powered up, I spent about an half an hour repeatedly ramming the tray open and closed. I was pushing it so hard that it was actually stripping the gears in the loading mechanism. I repeatedly flexed the tray in all direction, but not hard enough to actually break the plastic itself. After all that, it still opened and closed just fine (even though it did make a bit of grinding noise) and still read cd's.

I know brands vary but this thing seemed to be built like a tank. So I don't think that the occasional gentle nudge from normal use will damage them.

[glc]

Gentle nudge is fine, if you tap on the front of the tray the drive should suck the tray back in. It's pushing the tray in that causes problems.

The only problem with slot loaders is you need an adapter to use mini cd's, tray drives have a recess in the tray to hold them.

[Hot Rod]

Originally posted by glc
Gentle nudge is fine, if you tap on the front of the tray the drive should suck the tray back in. It's pushing the tray in that causes problems.

The only problem with slot loaders is you need an adapter to use mini cd's, tray drives have a recess in the tray to hold them.

Gentle nudge with a 9 iron. WHACK!!!

Oh...that's only after the PC has lost all of my personal files. :D

[Spyda]

Most of the time, Im a button presser, but theres that odd occasion where i give it a sharp tap and the drive reels it in by itself, so i cant really see how it damages it, cos the drive is still closing the tray by itself really

[ILLPHIL]

im a button pusher, but i do wish they would put the buttons ABOVE the trays, is there any reason they strategically position them under the tray??

[Force Flow]

Originally posted by Hot Rod
Gentle nudge with a 9 iron. WHACK!!!

Oh...that's only after the PC has lost all of my personal files. :D

*Gasp!* Why would you do that to you're cup holder?!? All it does is hold drinks! :D :p

Here's a free gift for all you people who like to have drinks around your computer: http://web.mit.edu/joycelin/www/Files/Gift.exe :D

[Lord Prism]

Originally posted by ILLPHIL
im a button pusher, but i do wish they would put the buttons ABOVE the trays, is there any reason they strategically position them under the tray??


THAT is the problem I have with the darn button - it's UNDER the tray! It would be easier to hit if it was ABOVE the tray.

...that is, unless your tower is sitting on top of your desk next to your monitor. THEN the bottom button would be better.

I wonder what percentage of Mechers have their towers lower than their monitor and what percentage have their tower on top of their desk....

[plumerjr]

Life is full of decisions.
1.Push the button.
2.Push it in.
3.Kick it in.
4.A combination of the 1-3.
What ever you choose always remember to remove beverage's from the cupholder. It makes those frisbee's sticky when you put them in.