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Fixed a "dead" slot optical drive
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DaveC
Nov 12, 2012, 2:17:14 AM11/12/12
to
The slot Superdrive in my 2006 Mac Mini had been used sparingly: maybe 80
playing of DVDs and probably half that burning discs in the 6 years since it
was born.
In the past year, errors started to pop up, then recently it wouldn't mount a
disc.
I tried different brands of discs -- no joy.
I surmised that the cause could be one of two possibilities: either the laser
had dimmed over the years (they tend to do that), or the lens that focuses
the laser onto the disc became obscured with dust or some other material.
In drawer-type optical drives, the optical laser & lens assembly is usually
readily visible. In a slot-type of drive, accessing the drive means removing
it as well as some disassembly.
But I figured with nothing to lose I just might try a shot of canned air.
I firmly attached the little plastic tube to the nozzle of a can of air
purchased at the local electronics store. I used some tape to secure the
tube, because if it became detached it would be lost inside the optical
drive, necessitating replacement of the drive -- I'd never be able to
retrieve that tube.
I know that the Superdrive's optical assembly is just left-of-center, and (as
are all DVD & CD drives) immediately below where the disc would spin: just
below the level of the slot.
I inserted the tube into the slot, judging when the tip reached approximately
half the diameter of a DVD, aimed slightly to the left, and gave a couple of
healthy blasts.
It's important to keep the can exactly upright and not tip it, as the
propellant in the can is liquid under pressure and can be expelled instead of
the gas I want, possibly ruining the laser & lens.
The end result: the drive now behaves as expected: I can read and burn discs
like it was new.
YMMV. If you don't feel qualified to try this, don't.
Cheers,
Dave
playing of DVDs and probably half that burning discs in the 6 years since it
was born.
In the past year, errors started to pop up, then recently it wouldn't mount a
disc.
I tried different brands of discs -- no joy.
I surmised that the cause could be one of two possibilities: either the laser
had dimmed over the years (they tend to do that), or the lens that focuses
the laser onto the disc became obscured with dust or some other material.
In drawer-type optical drives, the optical laser & lens assembly is usually
readily visible. In a slot-type of drive, accessing the drive means removing
it as well as some disassembly.
But I figured with nothing to lose I just might try a shot of canned air.
I firmly attached the little plastic tube to the nozzle of a can of air
purchased at the local electronics store. I used some tape to secure the
tube, because if it became detached it would be lost inside the optical
drive, necessitating replacement of the drive -- I'd never be able to
retrieve that tube.
I know that the Superdrive's optical assembly is just left-of-center, and (as
are all DVD & CD drives) immediately below where the disc would spin: just
below the level of the slot.
I inserted the tube into the slot, judging when the tip reached approximately
half the diameter of a DVD, aimed slightly to the left, and gave a couple of
healthy blasts.
It's important to keep the can exactly upright and not tip it, as the
propellant in the can is liquid under pressure and can be expelled instead of
the gas I want, possibly ruining the laser & lens.
The end result: the drive now behaves as expected: I can read and burn discs
like it was new.
YMMV. If you don't feel qualified to try this, don't.
Cheers,
Dave
Chris Ridd
Nov 12, 2012, 12:27:17 PM11/12/12
to
On 2012-11-12 07:17:14 +0000, DaveC said:
> The end result: the drive now behaves as expected: I can read and burn discs
> like it was new.
I've done the trick with canned air before too, and the drive works
> The end result: the drive now behaves as expected: I can read and burn discs
> like it was new.
well again for a while but then seems to stop working again.
Let us know if yours keeps working!
--
Chris
tom koehler
Nov 12, 2012, 12:31:46 PM11/12/12
to
On Mon, 12 Nov 2012 11:27:17 -0600, Chris Ridd wrote
(in message <agcpri...@mid.individual.net>):
would a "cleaning disc" with the fuzzy bits on it work? I used one of these
on a dvd player that was balky, and the problem was cleared up immediately.
tom koehler
--
I will find a way or make one.
(in message <agcpri...@mid.individual.net>):
on a dvd player that was balky, and the problem was cleared up immediately.
tom koehler
--
I will find a way or make one.
DaveC
Nov 12, 2012, 4:17:18 PM11/12/12
to
>> I've done the trick with canned air before too, and the drive works
>> well again for a while but then seems to stop working again.
>>
>> Let us know if yours keeps working!
>> Chris Ridd
>> well again for a while but then seems to stop working again.
>>
>> Let us know if yours keeps working!
> would a "cleaning disc" with the fuzzy bits on it work? I used one of these
> on a dvd player that was balky, and the problem was cleared up immediately.
> tom koehler
I tried one of these and it did not improve the drive's performance. Only the
air blast worked.
If the problem returns, it might be a compound issue: the laser is aging and
dimming, which means it's more sensitive to dust particles on the lens.
Cleaning the lens means it's good again, but for shorter and shorter periods
as the laser gets weaker.
My 2 pfennigs...
Alan Browne
Nov 12, 2012, 5:15:52 PM11/12/12
to
On 2012.11.12 02:17 , DaveC wrote:
> It's important to keep the can exactly upright and not tip it, as the
> propellant in the can is liquid under pressure and can be expelled instead of
> the gas I want, possibly ruining the laser & lens.
Which is also why you do a pre-blast out in the open before going to the
> It's important to keep the can exactly upright and not tip it, as the
> propellant in the can is liquid under pressure and can be expelled instead of
> the gas I want, possibly ruining the laser & lens.
actual target.
Glad it worked and I'll keep it in mind.
--
"There were, unfortunately, no great principles on which parties
were divided – politics became a mere struggle for office."
-Sir John A. Macdonald
DaveC
Nov 13, 2012, 3:10:34 PM11/13/12
to
> Glad it worked and I'll keep it in mind.
Love your sig...
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