I just got my first DVD-Rom drive yesterday. I never needed one until my wife accidently bought me the DVD edition of UT2004 for my birthday.

Anyhow, I got the Lite-On SOHD-167T:

http://www.vibecomputers.com/index.c...f=n&vID=193068

When I physically turn the drive around in my hands, it sounds as if there is something loose within the drive, it sounds almost as though sand were being poured. Not normal right?

The drive is recognized by puter, and I was able to install UT2004.

RMA?

Secondly, there are periods during game play where everything gets quite erratic. It is broken and sluggish, and the movements of the mouse don't match what I see on the screen. Quite dissapointing, as the demo plays flawlessly on the same machine.

Could that be related to the (potentially) faulty drive, or am I sourcing out two problems?

I would tend to believe the drive is at least part of the culprit.
I have a LiteOn DVD burner and I never got the "sounds like sand pouring" thing
and I almost always shake products at least a little for that very reason, to check for
possible defects.

Edit: This is the model I got:

http://www.vibecomputers.com/index.c...f=n&vID=192922

I had a problem like that in UT 2004 until I updated my sound drivers.

You shouldn't be hearing any noise when you flip the drive over. If it's like sand pouring, it's probably a component sliding against the outer housing.

Should you want to return it , I have a spare LITE-ON dvd-rw dual layer that I can let go for cheap.....

It's the balls in the bearings for the hub ... or to be more precise, an inadequate number of them. Send it back - it won't last more than a few weeks if you keep it.

Have you checked to see if the dma is enabled? I have 2 dvd drive that make a sound kinda like that and they have been fine for 2 years. But that sound did freak me out.

I would definately utilize that warrant, Putwig. I've never heard anyone describe that kind of sound before when talking about their DVD optical drive. I think BA hit the nail on the head when he said that a component might be sliding around in there. Anyway to remove the cover without breaking any type of warrant seal?

Rob

As mentioned before.. the hairdryer trick... the sticker fell off, honest.

I will RMA it tonight. Thanks for the input guys.

Quote: Originally Posted by Rob I would definately utilize that warrant, Putwig. I've never heard anyone describe that kind of sound before when talking about their DVD optical drive. I think BA hit the nail on the head when he said that a component might be sliding around in there. Anyway to remove the cover without breaking any type of warrant seal? Rob

Rob your not at work arresting people, its a warranty..........occupational thing huh??