Can't read CD

Cattcreek · 11-24-2004, 03:29 AM

I have a cdrom that intermittantly comes up can't read CD. Should I be replacing the drive or can it be cleaned??

11-24-2004, 04:41 AM

Hi,

If I were you, I would try to clean it. There are some very cheap cleaning kits at your local Wal Mart that do a decent job. If this does not fix it and it works intermittently, then I would replace it. And, while you are doing that, you might look at a decent CDRW, because they are now about as cheap as a CDRom if you watch Best Buy, Staples, etc.

Volt-Schwibe · 11-24-2004, 02:06 PM

also, if you are going to throw it away...

you might as well pull the 4 screws off the bottom, and carefully pry the top off of it, and then take 2 q-tips and swab the lens in this fashion:

first swab, lightly twist the qtip against the lens once
second, with the other end of the q-tip, swab it in small circles a couple of times.
then, with the other q-tip, repeat both steps.

before you put it back together, look into the eye of the laser with a good amount of light shined on it, and make sure you arent leaving a fibre of the q-tip on there.

this can many times rescue a cd drive that is otherwise headed for the trash.

11-24-2004, 03:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
Cattcreek Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 33 OS: Win XP	Can't read CD I have a cdrom that intermittantly comes up can't read CD. Should I be replacing the drive or can it be cleaned??

11-24-2004, 02:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
Volt-Schwibe Asst. Manager, Automotive Forums; HJT Trainee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Behind you, watching you as you type. Posts: 7,372 OS: Click "My System" to view details My System	also, if you are going to throw it away... you might as well pull the 4 screws off the bottom, and carefully pry the top off of it, and then take 2 q-tips and swab the lens in this fashion: first swab, lightly twist the qtip against the lens *once* second, with the other end of the q-tip, swab it in small circles a couple of times. then, with the other q-tip, repeat both steps. before you put it back together, look into the eye of the laser with a good amount of light shined on it, and make sure you arent leaving a fibre of the q-tip on there. this can many times rescue a cd drive that is otherwise headed for the trash. __________________ <signature> TSF is funded by our Admin's pocket, care to help? Power Tip: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. New Members: Creating a single new thread in the correct section is the best way to assure your thread will receive a reply. </signature>

11-24-2004, 04:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
mark3567 Guest Posts: n/a OS:	Hi, If I were you, I would try to clean it. There are some very cheap cleaning kits at your local Wal Mart that do a decent job. If this does not fix it and it works intermittently, then I would replace it. And, while you are doing that, you might look at a decent CDRW, because they are now about as cheap as a CDRom if you watch Best Buy, Staples, etc.