| When your CD or DVD (disc) drive starts | | | | rub the wet cloth on the lens to clean it. Do |
| giving you problems, your first thought may | | | | not apply so much pressure that you will |
| be to replace it or take it to the repair | | | | scratch and ruin the lens. Also try blowing |
| shop, but a good cleaning may be all it | | | | into the disc drive to remove any dirt that |
| needs. | | | | may have accumulated in it. If you do not |
| | | | succeed at this, proceed to the next method. |
| Below are three methods to clean the disc | | | | |
| drive. The easiest method is the least | | | | The Disassembly method - this method should |
| effective. The hardest method is the most | | | | work but it requires you to disassemble the |
| effective. Since the hardest method takes | | | | drive. So if you are not comfortable with |
| some time to do, I recommend that you start | | | | taking the drive apart, please take it to a |
| with the easiest method. If it solves your | | | | computer repair shop and let them do it. |
| problems, congratulations. If not, try the | | | | |
| next method. | | | | Take the cover off your computer, unplug the |
| | | | cords from the back of the disc drive, remove |
| The Cleaner Disc method - this, the easiest | | | | any screws holding it in, and slide it out |
| method, uses a special cleaner disc which can | | | | (you may need to remove the face plate on the |
| be purchased in computer stores. The disc | | | | end of the drawer to get the drive out). |
| usually comes with a little bottle of cleaner | | | | Remove the screws in the drive housing and |
| solution. Apply a few drops of the solution | | | | take the cover off. The bottom side of the |
| to the disc and insert it in the disc drawer | | | | drive is a circuit board, so if that is what |
| (be sure to read and follow the instructions | | | | you see when you take the cover off, figure |
| that come with the cleaner disc). The drive | | | | out how to access the other side. On the |
| will turn the disc and clean the lens. | | | | correct side, you should see a lens that runs |
| Unfortunately, this only works adequately | | | | on a track (there is no harm in moving the |
| about half the time. | | | | lens along the track but do not touch the |
| | | | lens itself). Use a wet, soft cloth to clean |
| The Cleaning Stick method - this is what I do | | | | the lens. |
| in desperation when the cleaner disc does not | | | | |
| work and I don't want to disassemble the | | | | Sometimes a disc drive malfunctions because |
| drive. Since all that is needed (at least in | | | | there is too much dust or debris in it, so be |
| my mind this is true) is a little more | | | | sure to clean out the inside with either |
| pressure applied to the lens, I start out in | | | | compressed air, a soft cloth, or a cotton |
| search of a thin, flexible stick of some type | | | | swab. Reassemble the disc drive, put it back |
| which is at least six inches long. It should | | | | in the computer case, and cross your fingers. |
| not have sharp or rough edges that would | | | | Hopefully, it will work when you turn on the |
| scratch the lens. Next, get a soft, thin | | | | computer. |
| cloth and put water or rubbing alcohol in the | | | | |
| middle of it. Place one end of the stick | | | | If these methods work, you just saved |
| under the wet part of the cloth and slide it | | | | yourself some money. If not, you needed a |
| into the opened disc drawer. The goal is to | | | | better disc drive anyway. |