CD buzzing noise in PC DVD player

novicefellow · May 2, 2017

I have a new Acer Aspire desktop. I haven’t used the DVD player much yet. I mainly will use it to rip CD's. When I play a particular CD, a loud buzzing noise comes from the PC every few minutes. Any thoughts on that? Since my PC is new, should I try to return it?

the nerd 389 · May 2, 2017

Can you record the sound?

It could simply be the positioning mechanisms for the optical R/W head. It could also be an issue with the motor. It's highly unlikely that the drive is misreading the data on the disk, so the noise is probably coming from the drive itself.

novicefellow · May 2, 2017

I don't have a device to record the sound it and post it online for you to hear. The buzzing is pretty loud. It sounds like it's coming from the DVD drive, not the speakers.

Does it seem like this is something that needs to be repaired?

the nerd 389 · May 2, 2017

DVD drives usually buzz when seeking, as the part that reads the disk is driven by gears. In order to tell with any certainty whether or not that's the noise you're referring to, is need to hear it.

That said, if it's reading the disk properly, you're probably fine.

novicefellow · May 2, 2017

It is playing the audio of the disc while making the buzzing noise, if that's what you mean about reading the disc properly. I tried some other discs, they play OK. I'm still a little concerned about my DVD drive making such a loud awful sound.

novicefellow · May 3, 2017

I ripped several CD's last night without a problem. Then the next CD I put in made that loud buzzing while it was ripping. I stopped it. I tried ripping it today. It ripped without any buzzing noise. Does that seem problematic?

novicefellow · May 3, 2017

A few possibly troublesome things happened while trying to rip the CD's. One CD came out of the DVD tray and went inside my PC twice. I'm pretty sure I clicked it onto place on the tray. I was able to get it out by tipping the PC tower forward.

Also, when I tried putting in a particular CD, the DVD tray kept coming open. I tried a different CD and it still kept opening. Eventually the drive stayed closed. I think it was after I tried a third CD disc.

Should this be a concern? I've only had this PC a few weeks.

the nerd 389 · May 3, 2017

That's not normal. I would replace the drive with either an Asus or lite-on model.

Is it a low profile or full size drive?

novicefellow · May 3, 2017

I'm not sure what full-sized is. The tray has a gap (hole) in it. It's only about 1/2 of a circle. Like a 1/2 moon, rather than a full moon. Know what I mean?

the nerd 389 · May 3, 2017

Full size vs slim refers to the height of the front of the drive. A full size drive takes up an entire 5 1/4" drive bay, sitting about 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" tall. A slim drive is roughly 1/2" tall, and is commonly used in laptops. Some desktops use slim drives as well.

On some of those Acers, the physical drive sits behind a flap that flips open when you open the CD drive. If that's the case, you'll need to look behind the flap to tell what kind of drive it is.

If you post a photo of the inside of the computer, I'll be able to tell which type it is.

novicefellow · May 3, 2017

I'm not at home right now, so I can't check. Anyway, I'm going to return the PC, or have it repaired. If I get a new PC, I don't know if I'll get the same one again. It was on sale for a good price.

the nerd 389 · May 3, 2017

It's roughly $15-$25 to get a quality CD drive. It's certainly not something that's worth ditching a computer over (for me, at least).

For OEM machines in particular, it's one of the more common parts that manufacturers skimp on. Few users actually use the CD/DVD drive these days. Trying to find a prebuilt computer with a decent one will be a long and arduous process involving a significant time investment and a number of trips to the store. If you really need one, your best bet is to simply buy a good drive and be done with it.

novicefellow · May 3, 2017

Are they easy to install? I'm not a handy mechanical person.

novicefellow · May 3, 2017

Do you recommend a specific DVD drive? I know nothing about them. I wonder if the PC company, Acer, would install a better drive for me. They said they would repair the PC.

the nerd 389 · May 3, 2017

It generally requires:
- removing the side panel (held on by one or two screws),
- unclipping the front of the case (which should be done carefully, but if you don't force it and unclip the latches one at a time, it isn't difficult),
- removing the screws holding the drive in (generally, there are two screws on each side, but sometimes it's just two screws on one side and a latch on the other),
- unplugging two cables from the back of the drive (one is the data cable, the other is power. The smaller one might have a metal clip holding it in. I normally rock the cables slightly as I pull on them to make it slightly easier to get them off.), and
- sliding the drive out of the front of the case.

You basically reverse those steps to put the new drive in.

the nerd 389 · May 3, 2017

If you post the specific model number of your Acer, I can give you more specific directions.

Regarding the specific one to get, do you want a DVD burner, or a Blu Ray burner?

UPDATE: Sorry, I forgot you aren't familiar with what's out there. DVD burners run about $20, and Blu Ray burners run about $50-80.

novicefellow · May 4, 2017

I have an Acer Aspire TC-780A. I just need a regular DVD burner.

Is the kind of drive I want is full-sized (instead of slim), or is there a more specific description of the type of drive that is best? I would have to take my PC apart to see what kind I have? I don't feel comfortable taking my PC apart to install a new drive. I don't think I want to try it myself.

novicefellow · May 4, 2017

The DVD tray seems flimsy. I have to click the disc into place on it. One particular disc came off the tray and went inside the PC twice. I was able to get it to slide out by tilting the tower. I'm pretty sure I clicked the disc onto the tray both times. It troubling that a disc can get inside the PC, even if it's my fault and I don't snap it onto tray securely.

the nerd 389 · May 4, 2017

Is it this:
https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/support-product/6990?b=1

this:
https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/support-product/6818?b=1

this:
https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/support-product/6817?b=1

or this:
https://us-store.acer.com/desktops/aspire-t/aspire-tc-desktop-atc-780a-ur12

novicefellow · May 4, 2017

It's the first link:https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/support-product/6990?b=1
Acer Aspire TC-780A

the nerd 389 · May 4, 2017

It uses a full size drive. Here are two that will work wonderfully:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=17D-0005-00008&ignorebbr=1

If you're interested in getting an abnormally quiet drive, consider this one:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827249086&ignorebbr=1

Things might get interesting when you go to remove the front panel. On the left side, the plastic latches holding it in place are easily visible once you have the side panel off. No problem there.

On the right side, you can't remove the side panel, and I can't tell what kind of latches they use to hold it in place.

When faced with this kind of setup, I usually unclip the latches that I can see first, and place an old credit card or paperclip under them to keep them from re-latching. If you're lucky, the panel will be on hinge locks on the other side. If that's the case, you can simply (gently, you don't want to force the front panel) pull on the left side of the panel.

If you encounter resistance when pulling the left side of the panel, that means that there are clips on the other side. You should be able to access all of the clips, but it might take some looking around to find them all.

If you're not comfortable with the process of removing the front panel, you can always get an external drive instead. They are a bit more expensive, but should get the job done. Here's a model worth considering:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136267&ignorebbr=1

novicefellow · May 4, 2017

Thanks. Do you know if it would cost much to have some place install it for me?

novicefellow · May 4, 2017

How do I know that I don't have a full-sized burner now? Wouldn't I have to take the tower apart to find out? If I asked Acer to install a better burner in my PC, other than ask for the specific model that you posted, what is the general term for the kind of burner that you recommend; a full-sized burner?

novicefellow · May 4, 2017

Sorry for so many questions. When the DVD tray comes out I can see part what looks like a metal case inside my PC. I think it's taller than 1/2 inch. Would that mean it is a full-sized burner? Is my burner definitely not good quality?

the nerd 389 · May 4, 2017

Acer will only replace the burner with another of the same model. You can buy one of the models I linked to and bring it to them, but I suspect that the repair guys aren't allowed to put non-Acer parts in the machine. That's usually the case with prebuilt computers. As for getting a local technician to replace it, the safer bet is to ask a techy friend to do it for you. Most people who have put a computer together before should be able to pull it off. If you decide to buy the drive yourself and take it to Best Buy or Fry's, you can expect them to charge about $20-40. If they try to charge more than that, remind them that it's only 5-10 minutes of work.

The drives that I linked to are all full sized drives. I know that your current drive is full sized because I found some images of the inside of the machine, and the mounting area is clearly laid out for full size drives. That computer cannot mount a slim drive. In that photo you can also see the uppermost clip that holds the front panel on. This is the photo:
https://static.acer.com/up/Resource/Acer/Desktops%20&%20Workstations/Aspire_TC/Design/20160606/Aspire_TC_design_ksp_03_large.jpg

The burner in the computer may be a decent model, but it's clearly not working correctly. If you work with optical disks frequently, it's probably worth investing in a better drive since you already need to replace the one that's broken.

CD buzzing noise in PC DVD player

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