How to fix the built-in optical drive in a laptop with your own hands. How to clean DVD. Methods for cleaning laser drives and disks How to clean a disk drive on a laptop

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A broken DVD or CD drive in laptops is the most common defect in devices that have been in use for more than 2-3 years. Dust, which will definitely settle on the focusing lens after many years of operation, will certainly, if it does not lead to a complete failure of the disk drive, then make its operation less reliable and fast. The reason for a complete refusal to perceive or record information from a computer onto optical media may lie in both a hardware and software malfunction of the system. Remember: drive optical disks in laptops may refuse to read information from DVD disc ov for so many reasons.

Firstly, it is necessary to 100% eliminate the possibility of a software failure in operating system. You can simply insert a disk into the drive that can be used as a boot disk. Either an installation distribution with Windows or some kind of service disk designed to work with a hard drive, as well as for treating viruses, banners, preparing the system for installing an operating system from scratch, etc. will be suitable. The main thing is to set in the BIOS that the DVD drive is the first one to boot, i.e. precisely from him, and not from hard drive, you need to download. Probably, many who independently installed the operating system either from a disk or from a flash drive know what we are talking about. If loading such a disk is quite successful, then the problem should be looked for in the installed operating system, namely: in drivers, as well as in software products that can in one way or another change the system configuration of virtual and physical optical drives. Remove all dubious recording and copying software DVD discs, and also check in Device Manager whether your drive is detected correctly or not. Of course, it is almost impossible to describe all software malfunctions in one article, but we can give universal advice: perform a system restore.

Secondly, if the drive refuses to accept boot disk, then most likely there is a hardware problem. Often the solution to the problem comes down to cleaning the focusing lens. Dust falling on this lens prevents the beam of the laser head from normally transmitting the signal reflected from the DVD disc. If at any stage of operation this led to read or write errors, then one “fine” day the drive may simply refuse to read a completely clean and new disk. The most correct way to solve this problem is to clean the focusing lens.

Nowadays, so-called cleaning discs have become widespread. The idea behind such discs is certainly good, but the technical execution is not always acceptable. Some samples can, instead of being useful, simply “finish off” the sensitive mechanisms and optics of the laser head. Also, incorrect use of cleaning discs can lead to the user simply completely destroying the drive. The instructions for such disks are often written in either English or Chinese, which makes understanding the principle of operation, purpose and use of such a disk simply inaccessible to a Russian-speaking person. The main mistake users make is incorrectly applying the cleaning liquid. As a rule, it needs to be applied only to certain cleaning bumps, and very little at that, placing the disk at approximately an angle of 45 degrees relative to the horizon line. Excessive amounts of this liquid simply flood the laser head, making reading information virtually impossible.

If we talk about Chinese cleaning discs in the 100-150 ruble category, then their purchase will not be justified from both a practical and economic point of view. And if your problem is not in the lens, then this is money thrown away. To protect the reputation of cleaning discs, we note that new contactless cleaning discs are now appearing. Their main difference is that they work like wind turbines, that is, they blow air through the laser head without direct contact. We recommend purchasing these cleaning discs without fear of harming the sensitive elements of the optical drive.

How to clean a DVD drive without a cleaning disc

Many repairmen, although they themselves sometimes recommend using cleaning discs, never use them. The cleaning disc is a solution for novice users and housewives. You can clean the disk drive much more professionally and efficiently only when you remove it from the laptop and disassemble it. To disassemble the drive, no complex equipment or conditions are needed. All you need is a table, a set of screwdrivers, a paper clip, a needle, a syringe, ear sticks, and isopropyl alcohol.

How to remove a disk drive

First, you need to turn off the power to the laptop. Turn it face down and remove the battery.

No matter how funny and unreliable this may seem, the fact remains: on all modern laptops, the entire drive is secured to the laptop using one screw. We take a thin Phillips screwdriver and remove it.

Also this method You can use it when you urgently need to remove a disk, but the electricity is turned off and the battery is low. After inserting a needle or paper clip into the technological hole, the disk drive will obediently open, and you can pull it out completely by pulling the disk tray.

How to disassemble a disk drive

With the optical drive open and facing down, you'll notice the rear panel cover, which hides many of the important parts of the laser system.


Remove the 4 retaining screws and the cover will obediently come off without the slightest effort on your part. After removing the cover of the rear panel of the laser drive, we have access to the back of the laser diode, as well as the optical system.

Then you can put on the cover and tighten the 4 mounting screws.

How to clean a focusing lens

The lens is very sensitive to touch, so it is better not to touch it again with your hands or tools. To begin with, you can try to limit yourself to blowing from a can of compressed air.

If this does not help, we recommend using an ear swab pre-moistened in 90% isopropyl alcohol to wipe the lens. Use the other dry and clean end of the stick to remove the remaining alcohol. Remember that using cologne, moonshine, or vodka for these purposes is simply unacceptable. You will only do harm. Isopropyl alcohol evaporates quickly, is relatively non-toxic, and also does not leave marks on glass and lenses, which is very important within the scope of the specified technical problem. Then you need to dry everything again using a can of compressed air. All that remains is to assemble everything, insert the drive and screw in the fastening screw. Assembly is simple and intuitive.

Finally, we note that in some cases, the breakdown still cannot be eliminated, since it may lie in a burnt-out LED laser, worn-out mechanics, burnt-out driver microcircuits, etc. Therefore, the last repair option is to completely replace the DVD drive.

How to clean a DVD disc

Computers are an integral part of our work, everyday life, and leisure. However, with this widespread use and distribution of computer technology, ordinary users have certain difficulties with its operation. In particular, with regard to working with disks. How to clear a DVD disc of existing recordings so that you can produce new entry, not everyone can figure it out. And it's not as simple as it seems. To simplify this task as much as possible, it is better to use special program. and literally in one click he will tell you how to do this and create a special application for burning CDs, DVDs and Blu Ray discs - “Disc Studio”.
How it works? Everything is elementary! Now you don't need to be a great professional in computer technology to complete this task. Actually, like a number of others, now the problem will not be the question of how to clean a DVD disc, nor how to record a new one on it - music or video.

So, media cleansing is separate function in the program: select required drive with the disk and click the “Clean up disk” button. If necessary, you can now overwrite and clear again an infinite number of times.



Even more - the program opens up a whole range of new possibilities: creating beautiful design to your disk. For example, if you are compiling a home archive or preparing promotional materials for a presentation or handouts. You can choose a disk image or use graphics. Everything that might be necessary and everything that might come to mind is now easy, accessible and simple!


An important nuance is that working with the Disk Studio program, which can be downloaded, helps save all valuable data from loss or unintentional destruction.


"Disk Studio" is good decision for those who want not only to simplify their communication with technology as much as possible, but also to simply “keep up the brand” in everything. Order in your own archives and easy work will be ensured.

A regularly used CD-ROM or DVD drive likes to collect dust and other “unnecessary things”. If you are looking for a way to effectively clean disk reader without having to take your computer apart, here are the instructions.

When the CD-ROM drive needs cleaning

The most obvious signal is when your DVD drive is failing work fine. This can be caused by many things, but disk cleanup may I help.

Another sign is when your computer has Difficulty reading discs. The third signal is strange sound when the drive tries to open the disc or even during extension and retraction.

Another sign is when used the disk twitches(although then it could be the disk's fault). These are just the most common symptoms.

The general conclusion is this: if your CD-ROM/DVD is not working, clean it. If this does not help, try cleaning it again, and if this does not help, the drive is probably faulty and you should replace it with a new one or send the existing one for repair.

What you need to clean the drive

Of course, do not use the blowing method. Your breath contains a lot of moisture, which can cause even more damage, including irreversible destruction of the drive.

How to prepare the drive for cleaning

Turn on the computer and remove the partition holding the disk. Then turn off the computer again, leaving the partition open. Remove the disc from the drive if it was in the computer.

How to clean a DVD drive

Insert the “straw” into the hole of the can of compressed air. If you have a laptop, place it on the edge of the table with the CD-ROM/DVD compartment hanging in the air.

Hold the can of air perpendicular to the floor (i.e. upright) and be careful not to pump it, as the gas it contains may damage your CD-ROM/DVD. Insert the straw into the drive connector and lightly press the air release button from the can.

Repeat the procedure two or three times, and then turn on the computer and see if the drive works.

What to do if this does not lead to the desired result

Some instructional videos or web pages recommend removing the drive completely from the computer. Do not do that. In many cases, performing this operation may cost you the warranty, and even if not, it may damage the drive.

what can you do

Call a service technician or bring your computer in for service. You can also contact the manufacturer and ask for advice. If your computer is under warranty, then, of course, you have a phone number written down that you should call in such cases.

A few tips for cleaning the drive

The CD-ROM/DVD drive is a very delicate part of the computer that requires good care. You can clean it before alarm signals appear.

Use compressed air carefully and responsibly to avoid damaging your computer. When you empty the container, do not throw it in the trash. A can of compressed air often contains toxic substances, so we must throw them away in special containers with waste representing

Burning files to disk is a proven method of saving important information in a safe place. True, there is one “but”: not always and everyone has a “blank” suitable for recording at hand. And if you are now faced with such a problem, do not rush to get upset ahead of time! After all, you can use absolutely any old scratch disk that you have to record data.

“Disk Studio” is a multifunctional one that will help you capture the folders you need from your computer and individual files onto any media, or erase unnecessary information from already full disks. Read the article and you will learn how to clean up the disk in this application.

Step #1. Download the program from the website

To get started, visit the special page on our website where you need. Once the download is complete, run installation file and follow the instructions. Select the location where you want to place the program and wait until the archive is unpacked. Then start working with the application by double-clicking on the software icon.

Step #2. Launch the program and specify the desired option

The main menu of “Disk Studio” will open in front of you, where you need to select and specify the operations that the program should perform. The application allows you to work with both CDs and DVDs. You can quickly figure out how to clear a DVD disc of old files, and then burn songs, videos or any other data onto the selected media. To delete information from a disk, click on the “Copy and erase” tab and select “Erase disk”.

Step #3. Clear your disk of unnecessary files

A mini-menu will appear on the screen in which the program will prompt you to determine the working drive. This should not be a problem, because, as a rule, in most cases there is no choice: in computers and laptops there is only one, if no external device is connected to the equipment. Click the "Open Drive" button and insert the disk, then click "Erase Disk" and wait for the erase to finish.

Step #4. Rewriting an old disc

Unfortunately, there are some discs that cannot be cleaned. But they can be rewritten! In any recording option, specify for the program the files that you want to save to disk. Knowing about this and films, you will free yourself from unnecessary spending.

To overwrite an old disc, configure Extra options: speed, the name that needs to be assigned to the disk, if necessary, request its verification and turn off the PC after recording is completed. Don't forget to insert the disc into the drive. When the program asks for confirmation to overwrite and delete files, click Yes.

Now you know how to clear the disk from unnecessary files. As you have already understood from the article, “Disk Studio” is a convenient software for working with disks. You can quickly write absolutely any information to external media or rewrite old disks, filling them with new and useful data.

You often come across the fact that a previously perfectly playable disc suddenly stops loading or the files loaded on it simply do not open, although the drive seems to have detected their presence. What happened in this situation? Is the drive broken or is it time to throw this disc in the trash? There are several ways to try to solve this problem yourself without drastic measures to replace the drive or remove the disk itself from use.

  1. To determine whether the drive is the cause or not, you need to try playing several discs using it. And if he doesn't read only specific option, then it’s not about him. If the situation repeats when discs stop reading or are problematic to play, then this is a problem with the drive.
  2. In the case of a problem disk, you must first clean it of dirt. There are many means for cleaning them, but from experience we can say that there is no point in spending money on any liquids - discs can be easily treated in warm water and soap. After this procedure, they must be blotted with a well-absorbing towel and allowed to dry before placing them in the drive again.
  3. In the case of a dirty laser read head of the drive, you can get by with purchasing a special “cleaning disk”. Or you can remove the drive from the computer and disconnect the protective cover by moving it backwards and upwards. Then you need to use something thin but strong, for example, a pin on the front panel through the hole, to press the latch and open the tray that blocks access to the lens by pressing on it. It is necessary to blow off large dust from the surface of the lens using a can of compressed air or even an ordinary blower, but in no case with your mouth. The pear must be without talc inside, otherwise everything will become even worse. Using a brush and lens cleaning liquid, you need to rinse the lens thoroughly, making light movements that do not press on it at all. After this, the lens should dry, and to prevent dust from getting on it again, it is better to cover it with something during the drying period. If plaque forms after drying, it must be removed with a dry soft brush. After this comes the process of assembling the drive.

The disc itself may not only be dirty, but also severely scratched, which also affects the ease of playback. It is possible to restore its surface by polishing. With large and deep scratches, it is unlikely that anything will work out, but if there are a lot of thread-like damage on it, this option can be “cured.”

The simplest method requires clean rags and goyim paste. The disc must be well wetted with water and a little paste applied to it, which must be spread evenly over the entire surface of the disc. Then, using a rag, you need to polish from the center of the disk to the edges until the paste simply disappears. The number of such processes will depend on the state of the disk after each stage. As soon as the disappearance of the most conspicuous scratches is noted, the disc can be considered to be polished. After polishing, the disc should be rinsed thoroughly, blotted and allowed to dry. After this, you can try to play back the recording.

And at the end, a little advice. If you need to download a driver for your printer, scanner, modem or laptop, you can always do it on the website www.hwdrivers.com or www.driver.biz.ua.

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