how to fix CD-ROM or hard drive failing

[dceaston]

I keep trying to start my laptop aspire3680 with no luck it keeps saying my cd-rom or hard drive is failing..what do i do?

 

[mjmacka]

It could be both. I don't know if Aspire3680's have built-in diagnostics tools. If they do, run them. If not, start Windows up and download the hard drive manufacturer's diagnostics tool and run it. If the drive passes, you can rule out the hard drive as the issue. For the CD-Rom drive, it is possible to replace it... but I would ignore the error or disable the cd-rom in the BIOS.