CD drive cleaning discs
I haven't used one of those CD drive-cleaning discs in living memory, but after my CD/DVD drive keeps making conspicious errors (failing to burn properly or falsely reporting there's no disc), I suppose I might need to clean it. I vaguely remember having to play the discs so they clean the drive while spinning. Are there any that won't run in a Linux CD player, or can I buy the first cleaning disc I see at the store? I'd "google" it, but all the search results seem to concern "cleaning" viruses/malware, not dirt.
|
It's just a disc with a little brush mounted on it. As long as the drive will spin it, it will clean the laser head.
|
As MS3FGX says they're just a CD with brushes on. I have used one and it seemed like it may have worked and in theory they could well work. As for them causing problems with a "Linux CD player" I'm not sure what you mean by that? The CD ROM drive is the same whichever OS you're using so the OS is irrelevant.
|
Yes, I was skeptical that there could really be a problem, but I haven't used one of these discs in some years, and wanted to "cover all bases" by finding out. I'd be pretty annoyed If I bought one and then discovered that, for any reason, it wouldn't start spinning when I clicked play on a Linux music-playing application.
Or is the short spinning time after I insert the disc all the time it needs to clean the drive, which would make Linux irrelevant to it? I supposed not; I supposed I had to use a media player to keep it running for a while. |
You would have to play the CD in an application, yes, as the one I had at least had the brushes where the third track was marked or something. I can't see there being a problem under Linux though but I wish I knew where mine was to test it.
|
If you can see the laser lens you can always use some compressed air on it.
|
I don't know exactly what the laser lens looks like. Hmm, I suppose it's obviously the red spot near the back which I saw only now.
I'm trying compressed air, but I'm skeptical that it would help much long-term, because of the direction I have to blow the air. |
Quote:
see: http://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbvie...-cd-player.jpg IMHO, those "clean-cds" are waste of time and money if it's possible to replace your cd/dvd device. |
Quote:
This is why I haven't enjoyed using computers in years. Multiple things could be the problem--the distro, the burning program, the drive, the disc, the data cable...--and if it's any of the software, that becomes even more complicated because who knows what caused that--a corrupted installation (and if so, was it during installation or later) or a bad installation CD (presumably because of problems with this optical drive). Tracing the problem (if indeed there's only one thing wrong) either is impossible or requires considerable time and effort. |
Quote:
That's the worst advice I have ever seen or heard in my life! The cleaning CDs and some compressed air are only a few $, if something needs cleaning you clean it, you don't throw it away. Cleaning is part of proper maintenance. Do you throw your clothes away everyday? Do you buy a new car when you need an oil change? |
That's a bit aggressive (and the price difference makes comparing an optical drive to a car unreasonable), but being frugal, yes, I would rather try to fix it before throwing it out.
|
Quote:
Twelve years old OK , but how many burning hours |
Quote:
|
Quote:
If you fail to see the downside in paying for something that might or might not work for an ultra cheap device that is supposed to work a 100%, feel free to do so. [MODERATED] |
Pathetic? Stupid people list? I'm sorry he/she annoyed you with his/her very overbearing expression of disagreement, but it bashed only your statement, not you.
|
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:50 AM. |