Update on stupid DVD drive

G.T. · Jun 10, 2003

Originally posted here: http://www.majorgeeks.net/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17448

(Sigh....) After wiping and reinstalling entire system, DVD drive still worked fine with data & music, and still failed to even register that a DVD was in the drive.

Last gasp attempt: I removed the drive, disassembled it, and cleaned the laser lens gently with alcohol. Put it back together and shazaam. DVD's work again. Was no dust, and I'd cleaned it with a brush type lens cleaning disk, but evidently there was just enough hard film coating it to keep it from reading the much smaller DVD tracks. The fact that it quit just as I was reshuffling hardware was co-incidence.

Two days wasted reinstalling software. Ah well, it's so much fresher now.

DavidGP · Jun 10, 2003

Glad you got that one sorted out finally G.T

It just goes to show that sometimes hardware failures are not down to drivers or software but good old crud!

I will bear this in mind if I come across that phenomenon of not reading DVDs but reading all other disks. Cheers

G.T. · Jun 10, 2003

Originally posted by scouse
Glad you got it sorted mate, i was following your thread about this but could not help.

i know you cleaned it manuely but the disc cleaners themselves are they much good or would i be better doing it the way you did?
Click to expand...

Disk cleaners, or a shot of canned air, are fine for removing dust, but not for an actual film coating the lenses. Those require physical cleaning. Not too dificult, but you've got to be really gentle. Drives in a smokey environment, or too close to a kitchen with greasy cooking fumes, etc., anything like that can leave a film on the lens that won't brush off.

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Update on stupid DVD drive

G.T. R.I.P February 4, 2007. You will be missed.

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

G.T. R.I.P February 4, 2007. You will be missed.