So I have got the DVD-ROM operational...
I think the disc tray motor may have bad bearings or be on its way out, I'm not sure??
it makes a Brrrrrrrrr type noise that could be bearings, and the sound is being amplified through the plastic of the planetary gears?
When I opened the drive up, I was hunting for a loose piece which I actually forgot about when I got distracted taking the drive apart, disconnecting micro-ribbon cables and shit I actually didn't need to. I found the white small gear after a bit and kicked myself for even risking damage with the small ribbon cables, etc.. turned it over and took a look and sure enough this thing appeared to fit over a drive shaft by gears that controlled the drive tray.
These gears when spun freely do NOT make any noise. only when the white gear was added back in, did the tray make noise opening and closing. I also had to plug it in and power it on to use the eject control just to be safe because I did not like the level of force required to move the tray. If you have the tray out, and spin the shaft/gear it kind of feels like it catches then frees up again. so I am suspecting a bad motor / bearings.
but for now I think I can have it working.
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