How to clean a CDROM?

[camaro]

Is it ok to use the regular CD player cd cleaning kit. That CD with a small brush on it. I'm just checking. Don't want to mess up my Pioneer DVD-ROM.

[NDC]

Yep! That's what they're made for... The brush on the surface of the CD is what cleans the CDROM Drive lens... I use it for my systems.

[RayH]

If you're not experiencing any problems with the drive, don't clean it. You run the risk of knocking the laser lens out of alignment. The thing ususally don't get dirty.

[NDC]

Yeah, RayH is right.. If you're not experiencing any problems with the CDROM drive, cleaning will not be necessary. As for the lens being knocked out of alignment by the CDROM cleaner, don't sweat it. The brushes on the CDROM cleaner surface is very soft.

[camaro]

I am experiencing problems. CDs wont load. But now you guy scared me and I'll be using my TDK CDR as the main CDROM.

[NDC]

Just run the CDROM cleaner. It won't hurt it. Like I said, that's what they're used for. I've cleaned numersous CD Writers before with it and never had ANY problems.

[Bovon]

There are disk cleaners, and then...there are good disk cleaners. Be very sure to never put a disk cleaner in the drive if it has a hard plastic or HARD bristle brush. The better ones are a soft bristle with a low profile brush. The laser lens is like maybe 1 or 2 mm away from the disk when the tray is closed. If a hard bristle brush hits the lens assy, it can knock it out of alignment. Do not use any liquid type solution, except "maybe" a dampened brush with water.

I do agree, do not use a brush cleaner til necessary. The lens will get a layer of dust on it sometimes, if used in a dusty environment, and cigarette smoke will coat the lens with nicotine, which is nearly impossible to clean without dissembling the drive, and even then, you take a chance of destroying that alignment of the laser.

[Barney]

I have taken several CD-ROM drives appart to clean it. The last one was the writer I got from my grandpa. He used it for 2 years and he smokes a lot, the lens was brown. I use a Q-tip with alcohol to clean it. But you should only take it apart if it's not under warranty anymore. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[camaro]

I had it since Sept. I think the one I have has a hard brush on it. It is low profile though. I'll look around Best Buy to see if they got any special ones. It must be hella dusty. I cleaned my pc recently and after only a few months the cpu heatsink was so coated with dust, you wouldn't believe.

[MiKe85]

It would probably be a good idea for me to purchase a CDROM cleaning kit, i put a lot of abuse into my CPUs http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Mike

[Clayton]

Hi

I recently found this article which you might find helpfull.
http://www.cascade2000.co.uk/Latest_Articles/Clean_Your_CDR_W/clean_your_cdr_w.html