Cleaning Computer CD lens
 

My computer is having a really hard time reading discs now. I'm pretty sure the lens just needs to be cleaned since my basement is fairly dusty. What's the best way to do this? Should I bring the computer to a professional or is it easy enough to do myself? I'm hoping there's just a cleaning-disc to stick in their instead of a PS2-type tweaking of a screw.

If your problem is just a dusty lens, you should easily be able to get a lens-cleaning disc at a local CD store. The one I had had a little brush underneath that wiped the surface of the lens clean, but that was a long time ago. Maybe they have some new-fangled way to do it now, but that old cleaning disc worked pretty well.

Those discs have on occasion been known to knock the laser out of alignment which would create the same problems. If the disc doesn't work I'd just get a new drive. You can get lightscribe DVDRW drives for around 35 bucks these days, which is far lower than a technician is gonna charge you to clean/align a laser.

I hope installing those DVDRW drives doesn't require one of those technicians who I'm trying to avoid...

Any good online stores where I can get one of these at a good price?

Maybe blow some compressed air into the open drive? That might help to at least get some dust off the lens. (if that is the problem).

it's not a good idea to use compressed air when a computer is on, it can go boom. second, just get a new drive, they are dirt cheep, and pretty easy to install.

open case, remove the old drive, look to see how it was configured (slave / master / cable select) then set the new drive the same way, plug it in, close case, power on, install new software if needed. let me / us know how much more indepth of an explination you need.

Yup. The Egg!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151136

36 bucks shipped. I have this drive and use it a lot. It's never made a coaster yet and it's FAST.

Install is just like Dilbert said. It's VERY hard to screw this up - you'll have to really work at it. The most tools you'll need is a phillips head screwdriver.

its pretty easy, but just incase, grab a Polaroid and take some pics along the way...

While I'm not sure that I would go to all the trouble of buying a new drive (just try cleaning with a cleaning cd) ....

I just bought this exact drive at shop4less.com. $47 -discounts = $32 shipped. (kudos slickdeals)
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Installing is is as easy as unscrewing your old drive and sliding in the new drive. How to install an CD/ DVD drive.

wow, I must be out of the loop. I've never heard of this LightScribe technology until I read the description of that burner.

I've had an external DVD burner for a couple years now... i had no idea they were already so much cheaper and better now. i might have to get that one.

Lightscribe is cool but unless you're made of money don't expect to use it much. I paid 20 bucks for a 30 pack of lightscribe CDRs. Considering I get annoyed if I can't get a 100 pack of normal CDRs for less than $15, that's pretty freakin' expensive.

It's also time consuming - figure on 15 minutes for a label burn and if you want it to look really good, with good light/dark contrast, you'll want to do a double burn, so that's 30 minutes + actual CD burn time.

Nice to have when you're making a special project, but for routine burning I still use a regular CD and a sharpie.

Still, especially for the price, the other advantages of this drive (speed, simplicity. . .did I mention SPEED) make it well worth the buy.

The really good news is that according to the guys that make it, color lightscribe labelling is on the horizon and when it comes out, current lightscribe drives will be able to do it with a firmware update.

i just got one of these, and i love it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106016

Okay my Samsung 18x DVDRW came today and it was much easier than I thought to install. Now, does it require DVD- or DVD+ DVDRs? What's the deal with the Lightscribe technology?

it supports both + and -

lightscribe:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightscribe

My printer has an attachment that you can use to print on compatible CDRs, and those printable CDRs are much cheaper than 30 for 20 bucks.

Your printer does? How does that have anything to do with the burner?

Nothing - sorry to take a detour from the thread. I was just responding to the LightScribe technology which burns a label onto expensive CDRs. I'm just saying I'm not sure that's necessarily worth the expense, given that there are printers which can probably do it better.

Okay, so how do I make backups of DVDs? I have some home videos my Grandpa made on DVD. I don't really want to buy Nero for $80. Is Ashampoo a good tool to use? I've tried it out before but it wasn't very intuitive.

With CD players and floppy drives I've had success (sometimes) just using a drinking straw. Aim it where you think the head or lens is and blow. Try not to blow a lot of moisture, just air.