Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (
More info?)
Yes, I agree that getting rid of the dust "is nice" but getting it off the
lens is what really counts and the cleaning disc will do that - quickly and
effectively. Taking it apart and gently cleaning it with canned air, some
cotton swabs and 99% IPA is costly (if you're charging for your time) and as
long as you realize that the heads can be easily knocked out of alignment
and you have no way to re-align it.
Consider that you're dealing with a reader that reads tracks on a disc that
are micron's in size - not much room for any mis-alignment. Add the
rotational speed of the disc, any distortion of the disc as it spins (cheap
discs) and any wear and tear of the mechanical head mechanisms over time -
and what are you really gaining be taking it apart and getting all the dust
out?
Each drive is slightly different and although they are delicate mechanisms -
they are robust enough to withstand a gentle and careful cleaning if that's
what you want to do but note that no manf I know of supports that - not even
for authorized repair shops. When you look at it from a cost-effectiveness
perspective, if the cleaning disc doesn't get it going again - trash it and
install a new drive - it's most likely not going to be fixed by any
cleaning.
The hour you'll waste (and charge the customer for) is only justified if a
replacement drive costs at least twice what you're charging for the repair.
Would you pay someone $50 to $75 to clean a CD/DVD reader ? Put a $10 disc
cleaner in it, test it and then sell him the cleaning kit plus your min shop
time. He's happy and you didn't waste anytime - and if the dust problem
returns - he has the cleaning disc.
As for the lens - on the ones I've taken apart they have a prism which is
above a small glass cover and that protects the optics. Yes, it can be
scratched - especially if a cheap disc decides to self-destruct inside the
player but soft bristles won't harm it. A cleaning is a short-term event
and the bristles are soft enough not to hurt anything and they barely touch
the lens.
Your quest for the dust is honorable one....
Bob S.
"V Green" <vanceg@nowhere.net> wrote in message
news:erTwbGcLFHA.2136@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>
> "Bob S." <junk@nowhere.com> wrote in message
> news:%23FDGIHbLFHA.688@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > Let's see if I have this right. Using a cleaning disc that is sold
> > commercially and even endorsed by several manf - may void the warranty
and
> > do damage to the drive? Haven't heard of a single case of that since
CD's
> > came out and these cleaning discs became available. Perhaps you have
some
> > reference to that from a manf ?
> >
> > In case you doubt that statement - check out what Dell has to say -
> >
>
http://service.dell.com/dell/step/1,,33732+26+35994+34538+25487+18594,00.html
> >
> > There are a few sites and forums that show how to take a drive apart and
> > clean it but I would hesitate to tell anyone that except an experienced
> > individual. If the drive is still under warranty - make a claim to the
> > manufacturer. And when you do, they'll ask if you cleaned it yet. If
it's
> > out of warranty - then it's a moot point and go ahead and take it apart
if
> > that's what you want to do.
>
> Agreed. It's not necessarily for everybody.
>
> >
> > Those little brushes on the discs are good for getting rid of the dust
> > bunnies that get trapped near the lens holder - they don't actually
clean
> > the lens surface as you would using 99% IPA and a lens cloth. Be aware
> that
> > on the latest (dual-layer) DVD's, any misalignment of the lens will
render
> > the unit useless. So taking the lens mechanism apart may be just enough
to
> > knock it out of alignment - and then you do own a boat anchor.....
>
> But these devices are like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic-
> the dust is still in the drive. Don't you think it would be better if it
> wasn't?
>
> My main concern about these is a physical one-the bump-bump-bump
> of the brushes bashing the laser pickup. I guess pickups are more robust
> than they used to be-they must be if, as you say, drive mgfrs. have OK'd
> their use. My info. is likely out of date.
>
> As for me, I will still continue to take them apart and get the dust
> OUTTA there.
>
> >
> > Bob S.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>