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Geek Culture / How to open a DVD drive with software

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Scraggle
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 11:49
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Does anyone know of any software that will allow me to open/close my DVD drive by clicking an icon on my desktop or setting up a hot key?

My base unit sits under my table by my legs and opening the DVD drive is too much of a problem but closing it is a real pain in the arse because I have to reach under the open drive bay and fumble around for the close button.

Thanks

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OSX Using Happy Dude
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 12:14
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The BASS DLL has a function to open and close the CD door. You could write a program that uses that.
Alternatively, use the MCI commands.


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Scraggle
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 12:30
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Forgive my ignorance but what are the MCI commands?

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spooky
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 12:56
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Really nice and simple dos exe to open/close any/all cd drives. Works perfectly in XP.

http://www.codeguru.com/Cpp/W-P/system/cd-rom/article.php/c5775/

Boo!
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Robin
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 13:22
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You can right-click on the DVD drive in 'my computer' and go to 'eject' ... but that might not be much of a shortcut

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OSX Using Happy Dude
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 13:30
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Quote: "MCI commands"

They are multimedia commands.

Quote: "You can right-click on the DVD drive in 'my computer' and go to 'eject' ... but that might not be much of a shortcut
"

He wanted to do it programmatically.


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Scraggle
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 16:17 Edited at: 6th Apr 2004 16:22
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Quote: "You can right-click on the DVD drive in 'my computer' and go to 'eject' ... but that might not be much of a shortcut"

Only works for Eject - it is the close that I have most problems with.

Quote: "He wanted to do it programmatically."

Actually I don't I wouldn't know how to because when it comes to programming I only know DarkBASIC. What I need is a ready made freeware utility.

I have heard of a utility called 'Blue Face' which sounds like it is what I need. A quick Google Search finds plenty of download sites but non of the links work.

Any other ideas?

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spooky
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 17:28
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And what was wrong with my post! It is a simple exe that you use in a batch file that will open drives, close drives, all drives or a specified drive.

Please don't ignore me or I'll haunt you for rest of my life!

Oh I forgot, I'm a ghost and don't have any life left as I'm dead (sort of).

Boo!
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OSX Using Happy Dude
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 19:27
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Obviously all night programming didn't agree with you then?!


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Powersoft
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 19:52
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obviously...

Just to add to the confusion.
Look at my avatar
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Scraggle
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 22:19
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I tried the download you suggested spooky but it is more hassle than it is worth.

To use it I would have to open a command line and type `CDR close e:` or something(?)
Call me lazy if you like - it would certainly be justified in this case - but I just want an icon that I could click on to open or close my drive.

I am tempted to cut a couple of holes in the top of my PC case insert switches into them and splice the wiring into the DVD drives eject buttons, but that seems a little radical and I think if it is possible to put an icon on my desktop instead it would be a better option.

Thanks

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Oraculaca
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 22:25
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you could stick it in a batch file on your desktop


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Scraggle
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 22:35
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You could maybe - I don't even know what a batch file is!

Sorry to sound useless but I only know the basics of BASIC. I don't know what batch files are or MCI commands.

I appreciate everybody's help but (and I hate to say it) I need a solution and not a method of programming a solution (unless it can be done in DBP - easily).

Thanks again.

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Oraculaca
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 22:46
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ok kind of found a solution on google , you could use a VBscript,

create a new text document and copy paste the following.
now save it as OPEN.VBS



your meant to be able to just run the script again to close them again ,but mine only opened


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Oraculaca
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 22:51
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As for Batch files...
If you open a text document again and type the line that you would normally type at the command line eg:

CDR close e:

then save it as CLOSE.BAT then when you double click it it will run that line.
make sure the path to the CDR program is correct ..
e.g
c:\windows\cdr close e:


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Scraggle
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 23:13 Edited at: 6th Apr 2004 23:13
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Don't cut your throat yet Mr. Dibbler - You are a star!!

With Spooky's download and your explanation of batch files I now have exactly what I want - An icon on my desktop to open and close my Drives - well four icons actually - one to open, one to close (two drives) and it certainly beats getting down on my knees and trying to find the switch beneath the drive.

Thank you

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Wik
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 23:40
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Or, you could use shortcut files. They would work.


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Scraggle
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Posted: 6th Apr 2004 23:55
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shortcut to what?



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Wik
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Posted: 7th Apr 2004 01:37 Edited at: 7th Apr 2004 01:38
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make a .lnk file and point the shourtcut to



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indi
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Posted: 7th Apr 2004 09:52
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a long time ago there was a application.exe joke were it was this thing that said "here is your free drink coaster".

anyway it would open all the cdrom trays in your computer.

perhaps if you found that code snippet it would help.

btw any oldbies remember that?


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OSX Using Happy Dude
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Posted: 7th Apr 2004 16:15
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Quote: "Actually I don't "

In your subject you said you wanted it done from a program...


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Scraggle
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Posted: 7th Apr 2004 18:32
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True enough ... I just didn't want to do it myself. Or more specifically couldn't do it myself.

But now everything is working perfectly. Thanks for all your help.



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CattleRustler
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Posted: 7th Apr 2004 19:06
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right click and drag cdrom icon to desktop from MyComputer
right click icon
select Eject
done.


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Scraggle
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Posted: 7th Apr 2004 20:47
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That doesn't solve the problem of closing it Mr. Rustler.



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CattleRustler
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Posted: 7th Apr 2004 21:25
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oh, closing it too.
use foot?
lol


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