old cd laser beam source replacement?

[Susma Rio Sep]

In 1998 I bought a low budget CD drive for my mmx 166 computer. I am
still using this computer and writing this message with it.

At the beginning the CD drive was working both for reading pc cd disks
and playing music from audio cd disks, even the most fully loaded with
bytes(?). It could read a cd that is loaded with a lot of softwares
from various software producers, and really a lot, packed into it.

Then after one year it could read only some cds but not others. Now it
can scarcely read any pc cd disks; but I think it can still play audio
cd disks.

I suspect that the source producing the laser beam must be very weak
by now.

Is there a solution to the problem by changing the bulb(?) producing
the laser beam?

I am a trial and error repairman for radio and other electronic
appliances. I have dismantled the cd drive once to clean it, without
disturbing its alignment of course. And it worked after that overhaul
better than before.

Now, I think if I can just change the laser beam source, some kind of
bulb(?), I might still revive this old cd drive.

Any suggestions from the good folks of these boards here?

Susma Rio Sep

 

[Sam Goldwasser]

First, clean the lens and check for mechanical problesm. Complete info in
the CD repair FAQ at the sites below.

Beyond that, it is likely not worth the time or expense even if the
optical pickup were available. It isn't like changing a light bulb!

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ Home Page: http://www.repairfaq.org/
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[LASERandDVDfan]

In 1998 I bought a low budget CD drive for my mmx 166 computer. I am

still using this computer and writing this message with it.

Who made the drive?

You may be better off replacing the entire CD-ROM drive. - Reinhart

 

[Roy J. Tellason]

First, clean the lens and check for mechanical problesm. Complete info in
the CD repair FAQ at the sites below.

Beyond that, it is likely not worth the time or expense even if the
optical pickup were available. It isn't like changing a light bulb!

<g>

I have yet to tear into one of these things...

Hey Sam, have you ever heard a cdrom drive make the same sort of noise that
older big floppy drives used to make when they "recalibrated"? That
"chattering against a stop" kinda noise? I've got one here that does that,
seems to do it when it has trouble reading.

 

[Susma Rio Sep]

I think it's a very low budget Mitsumi, or Panasonic, I have to
dislodge it to see the manufacturer's label.

Buy a new one, that's a good advice.

But since I do have time in my hand, and I am one son of my mother who
is a stubborn curious repairman and learner of everything, I always
seem not able to resist the temptation to lick the trouble by myself.

God bless you all who are responsive to my query.

Susma Rio Sep

 

[Pete Culf]

I think it's a very low budget Mitsumi, or Panasonic, I have to
dislodge it to see the manufacturer's label.

Buy a new one, that's a good advice.

But since I do have time in my hand, and I am one son of my mother who
is a stubborn curious repairman and learner of everything, I always
seem not able to resist the temptation to lick the trouble by myself.

God bless you all who are responsive to my query.

Susma Rio Sep

If Sams advice doesn't work then you're probably looking at a new pickup and
the simple truth is the pickup will cost a lot more than a complete new
drive.
I know!!!, I don't understand it either, but it's the truth. another thing
to bear in mind is that having spent good money on a new pickup you're
chances of success without training or experience are pretty slim. Still go
ahead and learn the hard way if you want, but don't say you weren't warned.
Best Regards,
Pete

 

[Roy J. Tellason]

If Sams advice doesn't work then you're probably looking at a new pickup and
the simple truth is the pickup will cost a lot more than a complete new
drive.
I know!!!, I don't understand it either, but it's the truth.

It's simple, really. It's the overhead involved in packaging the part as a
replacement item for the repair trade, and putting it through a separate
distribution system. Each of those people has to make a buck or they don't
stay in business. That's a lot of why too often stuff isn't worth fixing any
more, parts costs get too absurd too quickly.

another thing to bear in mind is that having spent good money on a new
pickup you're chances of success without training or experience are pretty
slim.

Yep, they want that technical expertise only in the design process, and only
in manufacturing to where untrained individials and machines can build the
damn things.

I suppose this might someday change when they get to the point where the stuff
costs under a dollar and nobody's buying. It sure seems to be headed in that
direction.