| My computer's CD player.....
Posted: 7/30/2009 9:17:41 PM | I have an OLD computer(As far as computers go), and the CD player stopped working a few hours ago. The tray comes out, I put a CD in(read-side facing down), and the light blinks for about 10 seconds, then.... NOTHING! I pulled the CD out, and just happened to notice that the tray itself was VERY dusty.
My question is...
I was thinking about spraying some contact cleaner into the opening(Where the tray slides out) to see if that might help somehow, but I'm wondering if I HAVE to turn the computer OFF before doing this(Out of fear of frying the computer if I spray a liquid into it while it's on), or can I leave it on?
Also, could it be possible that if I just reboot the computer, that it might get the CD player to start working again? | |
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| My computer's CD player.....
Posted: 7/31/2009 1:08:46 AM | What OS are you using ?
Does the CD drive get detected and does it show up in Control Panel .... System ...... Hardware Tab ...... Device Manager Button
It it doesn't show up in the Device Manager ,then you will need to re-detect the CD drive by highlighing the top of the device tree where your computer name is and then from the Action menu select "Scan For New Hardware" so the system does a hardware scan and re-detects the CD drive.
Never spray any liquids into the CD tray , clean it by blowing out the dust.
You could also try re-booting the system first to see if that helps.
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| My computer's CD player.....
Posted: 7/31/2009 1:18:31 AM | | Another option is a cd-cleaner, don't both with the liquids they come with, instead just use the disc that has a brush glued to it. Don't use a cheap one either, 90% of the time those cheap cd-cleaner disc have plastic bristles that make tiny scratches on the lens that cause your computer to work much more to read data accurately. | |
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- don
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Joined: 4/23/2009
Msg: 4 | |
| My computer's CD player.....
Posted: 7/31/2009 1:38:42 AM |
I was thinking about spraying some contact cleaner into the opening(Where the tray slides out) to see if that might help somehow, but I'm wondering if I HAVE to turn the computer OFF before doing this(Out of fear of frying the computer if I spray a liquid into it while it's on), or can I leave it on?
Also, could it be possible that if I just reboot the computer, that it might get the CD player to start working again?
USE COMPRESSED AIR, not liquid cd cleaner
It's not a bad idea to shutdown completely before doing it.
but if you hold the can upright while spraying it out, it shouldn't hurt it.
just do short bursts
& like Chrono1985 mentioned, the cd w/bristles is a good idea. | |
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| My computer's CD player.....
Posted: 7/31/2009 6:25:22 AM |
was thinking about spraying some contact cleaner into the opening(Where the tray slides out) to see if that might help somehow, but I'm wondering if I HAVE to turn the computer OFF before doing this
If you're going to spray water into the CD player, why not just stick it in the dish washer, if you're going to do a job best do it right hey 
If you have a 'CD' player, and its starting to play up, change it, they're not expencive and I mean a few dollars/pounds. Easy to replace, few screws and 2 plugs that cannot be mixed up. Why not get a DVD player.
P.S. If you are going to take my advice and stick it in the dish washer out of frustration, please unplug it  | |
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| My computer's CD player.....
Posted: 7/31/2009 11:11:05 PM | With dvd/cd players.
Easier to buy and replace it.
Less time and confusion.
newegg.com
$20-25 shipped, I think. | |
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| My computer's CD player.....
Posted: 7/31/2009 11:40:29 PM |
With dvd/cd players.
Easier to buy and replace it.
Less time and confusion.
newegg.com
$20-25 shipped, I think.
Yup yupppp. I swapped an older CD drive out for one from a computer that got fried and I couldn't be happier with it. The one before only read 8x and even then, it did a bad job at that. | |
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| My computer's CD player.....
Posted: 8/1/2009 6:56:19 PM | Depending on how old your computer is Memory could be a problem..
Yep, up until last year I was having a problem with my burner and player. Between Games , music and burning my memory was eaten up. | |
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| My computer's CD player.....
Posted: 8/1/2009 7:26:50 PM | My CD player is only that... a PLAYER! It's not a burner. In fact, I think that this computer is so old(HOW OLD IS IT? ) that when it was manufactured, I don't think the technology even EXISTED for home computers to have a built-in CD burner! | |
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| My computer's CD player.....
Posted: 8/2/2009 12:00:35 AM | | I've found good working CD writers in a computer abandoned in an alley, and also in $20 computers at Salvation Army. You can often find bare drives at thrift stores too, and computer recyclers (like Freegeek) should have some. Or try posting a "wanted" message on Freecycle. | |
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| My computer's CD player.....
Posted: 8/5/2009 2:10:40 AM | Just buy a new one.. It's not even worth the time, gas and effort driving to a store to buy a cleaner, only to have it not work
The laser in the drive is organic and it breaks down over time. No amount of cleaning will rescue it.. Just buy a new one, open the computer, remove the screws and 2 plugs in the drive, new one in and you're done. Plenty of tutorials on google for this, No software needed | |
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