Drives And Other Storage Devices - Lenovo ThinkPad L420 User Manual

Drives and other storage devices

This section introduces the common problems and solutions that the hard disk drive, the solid state drive,
and the optical drive might encounter.
Hard disk drive problems
• Problem: The hard disk drive makes a rattling noise intermittently.
Solution: The rattling noise might be heard:
– When the hard disk drive begins or finishes getting access to data.
– When you carry the hard disk drive.
– When you carry your computer.
This is a normal characteristic of a hard disk drive and is not a defect.
• Problem: The hard disk drive does not work.
Solution: In the startup menu in the BIOS Setup Utility, make sure that the hard disk drive is included in
the "Boot priority order" list. If it is included in the "Excluded from boot order" list, it is disabled. Select
the entry for it in the list and press the x key. This moves the entry to the "Boot priority order" list.
• Problem: After setting a hard disk password on the hard disk drive of the computer, you moved the drive
to another computer. Now you cannot unlock the hard disk password.
Solution: Your computer supports an enhanced password algorithm. Computers older than yours may
not support such a security function.
Solid state drive problems
• Problem: When you compress files or folders by use of the data compression function in Windows, and
then decompress them, the process of writing to or reading from the files or folders is slow.
Solution: Apply the disk defragmentation tool in Windows for faster access to the data.
Optical drive problems
• Problem: The optical drive, such as a CD, DVD, or CD-RW drive, does not work.
Solution: Make sure that the computer is turned on and a CD, DVD, or CD-RW is properly loaded on the
center pivot of the drive. (You should hear a click.)
Make sure that the drive connector is firmly connected to the computer. If you use an option that has a bay
for installing the drive, make sure that the option is firmly connected to the computer and works properly.
Make sure that the drive tray is firmly closed.
Make sure that the device drivers are correctly installed.
• Problem: You hear a noise from the drive when the CD, DVD, or CD-RW is spinning.
Solution: If the disc is not properly loaded on the center pivot of the drive, it may rub against the drive
cover and make a noise. Make sure that the disc is loaded properly in the drive.
• Problem: The disc tray of the optical drive does not come out at once when you press the eject button.
Solution: The empty disc tray may not come out as quickly as you expect, but the delay is normal. When
no disc is in the optical drive, the drive is automatically turned off to save energy. Then, when you press
the eject button, it takes a little while to turn on the optical drive and pull out the disc tray. If you need to
pull out the tray immediately, press the eject button again.
• Problem: The tray does not open even if you press the eject button.
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User Guide