HELP: Have replaced an HP laptop DVD rom and now a year later, the new one is bad

[Sailor]

Hello:

I have an HP Pavillion with a Toshiba SD-C2502 DVD-Rom drive.
It started failing a year ago (it would just not recognize disks). It would
play some CD's, DVD's, etc., sometimes... other times it wouldn't. It
actually got worse and worse to the point where no disks were recognized by
windows at all.

The same thing has happened to the replacement and I was wondering if this
is a common problem with laptops in general... or if that toshiba drive is
known for having problems... or if there might be some other reason.

Any information is greatly appreciated,,,

Thanks,
Sailor

 

[Rod Speed]

I have an HP Pavillion with a Toshiba SD-C2502 DVD-Rom drive.
It started failing a year ago (it would just not recognize disks). It
would play some CD's, DVD's, etc., sometimes... other times it
wouldn't. It actually got worse and worse to the point where no disks
were recognized by windows at all.

The same thing has happened to the replacement and I was
wondering if this is a common problem with laptops in general...
Nope.

or if that toshiba drive is known for having problems...
or if there might be some other reason.

Do you smoke ? You can get an invisible deposit on the lense.

 

[paulmd]

Hello:

I have an HP Pavillion with a Toshiba SD-C2502 DVD-Rom drive.
It started failing a year ago (it would just not recognize disks). It would
play some CD's, DVD's, etc., sometimes... other times it wouldn't. It
actually got worse and worse to the point where no disks were recognized by
windows at all.

The same thing has happened to the replacement and I was wondering if this
is a common problem with laptops in general... or if that toshiba drive is
known for having problems... or if there might be some other reason.

Any information is greatly appreciated,,,

Thanks,
Sailor

As rod suggested, a dirty lens is a possibility. Especially if you, or
anyone at your household smokes, or a dusty enviroment. Luckily, the
lens on laptop CD drives is super-accessable. You can clean it with a
Brand-new utlrafine paintbrush *gently*. Isopropol alchohol can also be
a help. If you're paranoid, you can get one of the lens cleaner cds.

 

[Sailor]

I do smoke... it's funny that you mentioned that. I was wondering if that
could be a factor.
Thanks!

 

[paulmd]

I do smoke... it's funny that you mentioned that. I was wondering if that
could be a factor.
Thanks!

If you have any desktop PCs in the house, the fans and heatsinks must
be cleaned regularly. If you're an especially heavy smoker, just count
on replacing fans as part of your seasonal maintinence. To remove smoke
residue from heatsinks, compressed air is inadequite (the residue is
sticky), they've got to be washed and dried, and new thermal compound
applied. Power supplies start failing, too, from overheating. Smoke is
very unfriendly to computers.

 

[Poly-poly man]

I do smoke... it's funny that you mentioned that. I was wondering if that
could be a factor.
Thanks!

Second hand smoke KILLS computers

The stuff is conductive, and annoying when it gets on drive lenses and other
material.

I've seen whole parts of motherboards half covered with the residue, half
charred from the shorts.

poly-p man