Cd-rw/DVD drive - replace or repair?

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

The DVD drive in my Averatec 3200 is playing up. The CD-RW component still
functions, but it can no longer read DVDs. I gather that there are separate
lasers for reading CDs and DVDS, so I guess the DVD laser is stuffed. While
it's only about 8 months old I'm not in Canada where I purchased it, so will
have to pay to get it repaired even though it's still under warranty.

Does anyone know whether repairing is a viable option, or is it generally
cheaper just to get a new drive? As I have since bought an external DVD
burner, I don't think it's worth spending a lot to get it repaired, though
it would be nice to be able to play DVDs on the road, and the external drive
is a bit too bulky to cart around.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Caitlin wrote:
> The DVD drive in my Averatec 3200 is playing up. The CD-RW component
> still functions, but it can no longer read DVDs. I gather that there
> are separate lasers for reading CDs and DVDS, so I guess the DVD
> laser is stuffed. While it's only about 8 months old I'm not in
> Canada where I purchased it, so will have to pay to get it repaired
> even though it's still under warranty.
> Does anyone know whether repairing is a viable option, or is it
> generally cheaper just to get a new drive? As I have since bought an
> external DVD burner, I don't think it's worth spending a lot to get
> it repaired, though it would be nice to be able to play DVDs on the
> road, and the external drive is a bit too bulky to cart around.
>
> Any thoughts appreciated.

Try cleaning the lens with a cotton tip and isopropyl alcohol, very
gently. Otherwise http://www.newegg.com usually has the NEC 6500A five
inch slimline drive, one of the best dual-layer DVD writers.

Q

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Caitlin wrote:
> "Quaoar" <quaoar@tenthplanet.net> wrote in message
> news:UMadnQS-lpyMdYXfRVn-oA@comcast.com...
>> Caitlin wrote:
>>> The DVD drive in my Averatec 3200 is playing up. The CD-RW component
>>> still functions, but it can no longer read DVDs. I gather that there
>>> are separate lasers for reading CDs and DVDS, so I guess the DVD
>>> laser is stuffed. While it's only about 8 months old I'm not in
>>> Canada where I purchased it, so will have to pay to get it repaired
>>> even though it's still under warranty.
>>> Does anyone know whether repairing is a viable option, or is it
>>> generally cheaper just to get a new drive? As I have since bought an
>>> external DVD burner, I don't think it's worth spending a lot to get
>>> it repaired, though it would be nice to be able to play DVDs on the
>>> road, and the external drive is a bit too bulky to cart around.
>>>
>>> Any thoughts appreciated.
>>
>> Try cleaning the lens with a cotton tip and isopropyl alcohol, very
>> gently. Otherwise http://www.newegg.com usually has the NEC 6500A
>> five inch slimline drive, one of the best dual-layer DVD writers.
>>
>
> When the drive is open I can only see one laser (or at least what I
> see is one small glass 'bubble') - I've tried cleaning that, without
> effect. I'm guessing the DVD laser is someone internally that I can
> get at though?

What you see is the lens. There is nothing internal that is
user-serviceable as Barry writ.

Q