How to Fix a Laptop CD Drive That Is Not Working

No matter what brand and model of laptop you own or what you use it for, the CD-ROM or CD writer can make it a lot more useful. A functioning CD drive allows you to play your favorite music, back up your vital files and install the software you need to keep your laptop running. When the CD drive on the laptop stops working, it is best to take a step-by-step approach to fixing the problem, because a number of factors can cause CD drive problems in a laptop.

1 Turn off the laptop and restart it. Press the "Eject" button on the CD drive as soon as the laptop starts up. Restarting the laptop often allows the tray to release if it was stuck.

How to Troubleshoot a Mini SD Card

Mini SD cards are more compact versions of the standard SD memory cards and are meant primarily for cell phones and cameras. If your mini SD card is no longer working properly, there could be a variety of causes for the problem, from corrupted data to physical damage. Before throwing away the mini SD card and losing all of your files, you can go through a series of troubleshooting steps to attempt to salvage the card and its data.

1Remove the mini SD card from its current device and put it into a different device that has a mini SD slot, such as a camera or cell phone. Check to see if the mini SD card works in a different piece of equipment. If it works, this will indicate that the original device is malfunctioning but that the mini SD card is fine.

2 Take the mini SD card out of the new device if it still isn't working. Physically inspect the bottom of the card to make sure it isn't bent or damaged in any way. Replace the card entirely if it has any physical damage.

3 Check the side of the mini SD card to see if it has a locking switch. Push the switch into the "unlock" position. Put the card back into an electronic device and attempt to use it again to see if the problem is resolved.

4 Insert the mini SD card into the card reader on your computer. Acquire an external USB card reader if your computer does not have a built-in card reader. Connect the reader to the USB port on your computer and then put the mini SD card into the corresponding slot.

5 Open up your computer's Start menu. Click on the "My Computer" icon. Scroll down through the list of drives on your computer and find the drive letter that corresponds to your mini SD card.

6 Right-click on the mini SD card drive letter and choose "Format." Click on the "File Format" box and select "NTFS." Click on "Start" and wait for the formatting process to finish.

7 Place the mini SD card back into its original device and attempt to use it again.

HDMI Port on an Acer Doesn't Work

Several Acer computer models feature high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) ports. Acer computers also feature preinstalled Windows software for simple dual monitor keyboard shortcuts and user friendly display options. With this software and the HDMI video outputs, even novice users can hook up an HD television for use with certain Acer laptops or desktops. When these HDMI ports are unresponsive, however, the process can go from user friendly to utterly frustrating. With some cleaning and additional preinstalled Windows software, you can fix certain HDMI port problems on your Acer computer.

How to Fix Wireless Internet Problems

Fixing a wireless Internet connection can be frustrating, but fortunately it's not impossible. As much as we all want to slam our fists in frustration when our connection goes wrong, there are steps to take to rectify our troubles.

1 Check the connection icon in the system tray, usually found in the lower right of your computer screen. The icon is often a small computer monitor and will often have a red "x" if there is no wireless Internet connection established. If there is no connection, attempt to reconnect your Internet.

How Do I Troubleshoot an HP Laptop CD/DVD Driver?

If you're having issues with your HP laptop's CD or DVD drive, it might not be a physical issue with the drive. Instead, the driver your optical drive uses may be corrupted or not working properly, or may need to be upgraded. Troubleshooting an HP laptop's CD or DVD driver is not difficult and takes approximately 10 minutes. If the troubleshooting steps do not resolve your driver issue, you may have a physical problem with the HP's optical drive.

1 Turn your HP laptop off. Turn the laptop over and find the battery release latch. Move this latch to the unlock position, indicated by an open lock icon on the bottom of the laptop. Pull the battery out of the computer and set it aside.

How to Reduce Laptop Fan Noise

The beauty of a laptop is its mobility and the variety of places in which you can use it. But if your laptop has a grating fan that makes a great amount of noise, taking it to the library or class aren't viable options. However, there are many ways to reduce the noise, from altering the options of your CPU fan to replacing it with a new and quieter one.

The Software Fix

1 Download and install a computer fan-control program like Speed Fan on your laptop. (See Resources.) Many of these kinds of programs can be found all over the Internet. If you have any problems installing the software, consult the documentation included with it.

Gateway Laptop Heating Problems

An overheating computer is a malfunctioning computer. If your computer is operating at a higher- than-ideal temperature, it will not be at its most efficient. If the computer gets too hot, it will either shut down, or break. Gateway laptops are no more susceptible to overheating than any other computer, but will probably experience overheating problems at some point, regardless of age.

Avoid Overheating

Your computer produces heat as it operates. Although Gateway computers have a sophisticated and extensive heat-transfer system, all laptop computers are less than perfect at removing heat.

How to Replace the Laptop Fan on an Acer Aspire 3000

Laptop computers generate heat while they process information, which can potentially cause the processor or other components to shut down. To keep the system working properly your Acer Aspire 3000 uses a cooling fan that prevents overheating. If the fan goes out you will need to replace it before the internal components experience permanent damage. The fan is connected to the bottom of the laptop's case, but unfortunately it can only be accessed by removing the motherboard and most of the other parts.

1 Turn off the Acer Aspire 3000 and unplug any cables that are attached to the laptop. Shut the laptop's lid and turn the unit upside down. Slide over the release latch and remove the battery pack.

How to Replace a Cooling Fan on a Sony Vaio Laptop

As the size of laptops shrink while their internal technology grows more powerful, cooling the delicate computing systems has become more difficult. While the causes of Sony Vaio laptops overheating vary, design problems may lead cooling fans to clog and jam from excessive dust and debris build-up. To prevent this, clean and test your fan before moving forward with more extensive repairs. If the problem persists, the fan is likely faulty, so replacement of the unit must be done to ensure proper functioning.

1  Shut down your Vaio, then unplug the AC adapter and remove the battery.