CD-Writer refusing to read any CD...

[Michael]

Hi, I have an A-Open 40x CD-Writer that has suddenly stopped reading
any of my CDs. When I put a CD in the drive, the read light flickers
and flickers but nothing happens.

Nero also refuses to recognise any of my blank CDs. Normally, Windows
XP would pop up with a message saying that I have inserted a blank cd
but this no longer happens.

I've heard that it could be a problem with the writer's lens. I'm not
sure whether to buy a new writer or to try fixing it..

How would I go about cleaning the lens of the writer?

Thanks,

Michael

 

[Bigbear]

Sounds like a tanked CD-RW. I had a similar problem twice, on the same
machine. One was the RW the other was the DVD. I replaced both and haven't
had a problem since? You might try a can of compressed air to blow off the
lens. I think they also have some disk writer cleaning kits. These
probably waste your time and money tho. More than likely you need a new
unit.

 

[Ben]

sounds like the cdrw is up the spout as bigbear says
but you should try blowing it out AND try a differant ide cable too. when
you put a disk in can you hear it spin up ? if not, the motors duff.

 

[AD C]

Hi, I have an A-Open 40x CD-Writer that has suddenly stopped reading
any of my CDs. When I put a CD in the drive, the read light flickers
and flickers but nothing happens.

Nero also refuses to recognise any of my blank CDs. Normally, Windows
XP would pop up with a message saying that I have inserted a blank cd
but this no longer happens.

I've heard that it could be a problem with the writer's lens. I'm not
sure whether to buy a new writer or to try fixing it..

How would I go about cleaning the lens of the writer?

You can try and take it apart and clean the lens with a very soft cloth,
but I doubt it will work.

It sounds like the drive have had its day. They do not make them like
they did. I got a 8 speed cd rom in the drawer and it still works, great
for a spare.

 

[DaveW]

Use canned air.

 

[Michael]

Hi, I'm not sure where to purchase compressed air. I got some
cd/lens/glass/ cleaning spray from a music store...I was wondering if
I could spray the lens with that and wipe it with a cloth?

Is it pretty simple to open up the writer?

Also, if I were to use a cd-lens-cleaning kit...which one would be
better, the dry-type or the wet-type? But I'm worried that the drive
won't even read a lens-cleaning cd.

Michael

 

[Franklin]

If you have to BUY something to try and fix the CDWriter, save you money and
get a new drive instead.

They are dirt cheap. Why spend $12 for a CD Cleaner that most likely won't
make a bit of difference when for $50 you can get a new burner?

 

[kony]

Hi, I'm not sure where to purchase compressed air. I got some
cd/lens/glass/ cleaning spray from a music store...I was wondering if
I could spray the lens with that and wipe it with a cloth?

Is it pretty simple to open up the writer?

Also, if I were to use a cd-lens-cleaning kit...which one would be
better, the dry-type or the wet-type? But I'm worried that the drive
won't even read a lens-cleaning cd.

Michael

CD lenses and mechanisms are plastic and fragile... most likely you'll
do more harm than good using anything more than compressed air. In
_rare_ instances I've cleaned lenses by dripping pure alcohol on them,
letting it run off, NOT wiping the lens. Lens cleaning CDs aren't
very good either, the best course might be what another poster
recommended, replacing the writer.


Dave