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    How I "fixed" the DVD RW

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by ikovac, Jun 28, 2006.

  1. ikovac

    ikovac Cooler and faster... NBR Reviewer

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    I used to have some problems in reading and writing DVDs lately. It would finish burning, but DVD would report blank afterwards. I also had problems reading DVDRWs.

    So I took a glass cleaning cloth and very gently brushed the lens in the drive tray. Although I didn't see any dust or anything on it now my device reads and writes all media that I have. DVDRWs too.

    I carry my notebook a lot. It stays in a hot car sometimes (in a Samsonite rucksack) and I think that it wasn't the dust that was the problem. I know that the lens is held on a movable holder that is controlled by electromagnetic coils. I think it was stuck somehow, and when I touched it it moved. Now it can adjust and focus again. :eek:

    It worked for me, but if you want to try it, be very careful. Or you could end up with a dead optical drive. :eek: Be quiet, nice and gentle with everything you do... :D

    Ivan
     
    ikovac, Jun 28, 2006
    #1
  2. vassil_98

    vassil_98 Notebook Deity

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    I have the exact same problem. Blank DVDs after successful burning or unreadable files. I though it was mainly a result of my using DVD-Rs but yesterday it happed again, this time with DVD +R. I'll try cleaning the lens.
     
    vassil_98, Jun 29, 2006
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  3. Daetlus

    Daetlus Notebook Consultant

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    Anyone who tries this do please be very careful. It would be very easy to destroy your drive.
     
    Daetlus, Jun 29, 2006
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  4. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Can of compressed air will sometimes work as well.
     
    ZaZ, Jun 30, 2006
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  5. Metamorphical

    Metamorphical Good computer user

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    Heh. As a beach veteran who used to use portable CD players. I know how fragile these things are. Be very, very careful. I wonder if I could try that on one of the ones that won't read CDs anymore. <<;
     
    Metamorphical, Jun 30, 2006
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  6. ikovac

    ikovac Cooler and faster... NBR Reviewer

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    Well it still works. Perhaps Zaz gave a better alternative method to do it, but unfortunately I didn't have one of those at my hand at the moment.

    Anyway - it still reads everything I put into it (optical media of course) :)

    Cheers,

    Ivan
     
    ikovac, Jul 1, 2006
    #6