Desktop computer DVD hardware question
 

I've got a 7 year old desktop running Win 7. No need or desire to upgrade.
Recently I found that the DVD won't come out. I hear a noise like it tied to open but then nothing. Getting jammed. I opened the cover on the face of the computer so I knew it wasn't the cover binding. Tried it a dozen times last night.
Today, I was all set to order a replacement and lo and behold, it opens 2 out of of 3 tries.

Question: is there anything I can check to see if it can be 'fixed'? I know replacements are cheap enough but I don't like replacing OEM and/or spending money for no reason. What say ye?

trash it and get a new one. That's my vote.

I don't like throwing stuf away either, but a new one is $20.

Or get an external USB (about the same price) and you can use it on another system.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07DLRG9VH?pd_rd_i=B07DLRG9VH&pd_rd_w=knSKN&pf_rd_ p=ee186ce0-6bf7-4893-85b9-f3368b019e0f&pd_rd_wg=xbBHl&pf_rd_r=EDS1156VTNHS5Q FGGHWC&pd_rd_r=60b561cf-b315-407f-b0f8-f37fe43a09f9

yeah, you're right

I'd open the box and clean the electrical connectors to it. then have a look at the thing and clean + reseat any connectors or electrical points you can see. Also give the electrical eye thing a clean while your in there. Dust probably won't be causing problems but you might as well clean that out too.

On the front there will be a little tiny hole. Straighten a thicker paperclip and shove it in there, it is the manual eject.

Then I'd use the button on the front to open/close the tray a few times. If problem persists, replace. Cheap and easy to do.

This, test empty.

If a process is actively trying to access a disk they don’t always respond to being ejected.