Big Problem

[Mahdi]

I found a bunch of disks and was looking to see what was on them whent he metal thing at the top of one of them came off in my disk drive. How do I get it out?

[Timenn]

It might be best to unfasten the drive from your computer. Then you can try to get it out by holding it upside down or something. You have more flexibility in removing the metal thing. You can unfasten it like this.

Shut down your computer. Open your computer. If you have never done that. There are some screws at the back of the computer, probably (depends on the model)

Locate your drive and you can see some wires leading to it (1 very flat one, and one 'normal' one. Plug those out, and remember what plugs you have removed (mark them if necassary)

Now you can remove the drive (or you have to remove 1 or 2 screw(s) first) carefully.

Now you can try to get that thing out. You might want to use a small stick (not metal, and careful)

Once you succeeded. Put everything back in place as it was. And check it again (You may have to check if you didn't accidentily plugged something else out).

Now close the computer, and turn it on again. There should be no warning or whatsoever. Because the computer cannot know that you have done something.

And try if the disk drive works.

I have never done this before. So I can't give you guarantees. But this is the way I should do it

If nothing helps: Disk drives aren't so expensive anymore... :)

[Nyarlathotep]

That will be difficult... extremely difficult. In other words, you're screwed. (sorry to be so blunt)..

Btw, a new diskdrive will probably cost you no more then 10 - 20 bucks..

[Timenn]

Oh, and whatever you do. Do it with the computer off!

[gryphon]

unofficially .. . ..brute force. . . place your hand fermly on the part of the disk you can still get hold of .. ..en dan wait for the right moment. . .and pull !

Ok, not that tacfull .. but it will probebly get the disk out, leaving the metal thing in the drive or somewhere on the floor. Changes of breaking a disk drive are [ from experiance :-[ ] not that big and the diskette will work without the metal thing. If by doing this the drive would get damaged, well .. you meeded a new one anyway.

Oficcially. . .I agree with Nyar .. .you are screwed.

*gryphon looks as Gobalopper. . . I told you he was going to loose those compromising photo's on those disk. . .taking them one by one if need be ...*