DVD makes computer reboot (Crash)

[lonewolf]

Hi, My friend has a EMachine with a Intel D845GVSR MB and 768 RAM and Celeron Processor (Not Sure of the speed).
XP Home, LG DVD Writer.
Whats happening is when she inserts a DVD into the drive the light blinks and then flickers for a sec and goes out and then 1 sec later the light comes on steady for 3-4 seconds and the computer reboots (crashes). No blue screen and its set to NOT automatically reboot. There is nothing associated with the DVD, By that I meean no programs are set to start when you insert it. I've removed DVD Suite and Nero just in case and it still happens. If she lets it reboot and leaves the DVD in the drive then everything works. Except she gets 2 or 3 "Computer has Recovered from a Serious Error" messages.
Any ideas, BIOS Update?
I noticed it had a 40 pin cable to the drive which it shares with a CD-Writer.
Thanks in advance
Dave

[jdc2000]

Since that is an eMachine, my first thought is that the power supply is needing to supply extra power when the DVD drive is activated, and is unable to do so. Most eMachines used Bestec power supplies, and those are worse than junk. Before you do ANYTHING else, you need to remove the side panel of the computer and check the label on the power supply. If the manufacturer says Bestec, DO NOT turn the computer on again until you have a replacement power supply installed. The symptoms you describe are typical of a Bestec power supply that is about to fail. When Bestec power supplies fail, 95% of the time they take out the motherboard as well. While you have the computer open, you could check the computer for bulging or leaking capacitors as well, but you probably won't find any. The power supply is what is almost certainly causing the issue.

Replacement power supply:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153023

[lonewolf]

My only thought is , then why if she leaves the DVD in the drive as the computer reboots. Then gets to Windows why does it work then?
Dave

[jdc2000]

That is a mystery. Nevertheless, I have personally seen dozens of eMachines with Bestec power supplies exhibit similar symptoms, and blow out motherboards if the power supply is not replaced ASAP. Even if it turns out NOT to be the cause of your friend's issue, if that eMachine does have a Bestec power supply, it will eventually fail and almost certainly take out the motherboard. $40-$50 now to replace it will save loss of the computer later.

[lonewolf]

I will check and lt you know.
Dave

[SuperSparks]

I would say that the DVD drive is shorting out when the DVD is inserted. If it caused the voltage to drop enough that will reset the Power_Good signal from the PSU and cause a reboot.