I need to get this problem fixed ASAP as a lot of needed documents are saved on this computer. I already tried calling customer service, but my warranty has expired and it's too expensive to buy a new one. I purchased the computer in August of last year.

Today I put a CD into the CD-ROM drive of my HP Desktop Computer (run with Windows XP) in order to do assignments for school. The CD is software for keyboarding practice. I then clicked on "My Computer" to go to the contents of the CD, but before the computer could read the CD, it froze up. So I restarted.

Now the CD is stuck in the CD-ROM drive (stuck as in pushing the eject button doesn't do anything), and the CD-ROM light is blinking like it's doing something. The computer will not completely come on either. It comes to the first screen that says HP, and then it goes to a black screen with a blinking cursor... that's it.

If anyone has any advice that could possibly help me, I would GREATLY appreciate it. Thanks so much!

To get the stuck cd out of the drive look through your junk box for a thin nail or pin of a similar size an old diaper pin is ideal

Next...look under the front panel for a small pinhole Got it?
Now switch off the computer altogether insert your pin in the hole and push it may go in a bit
this "should " cause the CD Tray to open a fraction so you can extricate the tray by pulling gently and watching you don't cause the disc to remain trapped pulling into the correct position (on the tray) is the best way (no strength) The tray will now pull fully out Switch the computer on again Tray will close in the boot up process unless you've pushed it shut?
Try again and report what happens now?

I'm always doing this though I can open the Tray by the Open button ... only use the other method if the manual method does not work or the computer is off

Thanks for your help. I stuck something in the little hole and I didn't hear the drive click or anything, so I took a screwdriver and used it to very gently pry the drive open. Everything is back to normal now. Thanks!

Sarah
Whats behind the hole is the arm of the mechanism that pushes the tray out and latches the tray when fully in.
On some drives you can push it, and the tray comes all the way out. On others it only moves a fraction (I think you had the latter)