Optical Drive Repair/Maintenance

seekermeister · 03 Mar 2011

I've already ordered a new drive to replace my Samsung PATA, because the last time that I tried to use it, it made a peculiar buzzing noise for several seconds as it spun up, and when I removed the disc, I found two circular scratches very near the hub. The only thing that I can think of that would cause these would be the lens coming into contact with the disc, which I doubt that there is anything that can be done about .

However, since I'm one of those people that finds it difficult to just toss things into the dumpster, I'm wondering if there is any practical means to remedy it's ills? Even if there was, I would only keep it as a spare, because I dislike it's performance compared to a SATA.

Orbital Shark · 03 Mar 2011

Hi,

The best thing to do is to remove the drive and see if there's any way to dismantle it. Normally the front fatia un-clips and there should be 4 (or so) screws on the bottom, allowing you to take the top drive covering off.

You would have to examine the drive fully before dismantling as to ascertain a method of taking it appart.

seekermeister · 03 Mar 2011

I understand how to open the drive, but not how to do anything inside it. The question is whether any kind of repair is possible.

Orbital Shark · 03 Mar 2011

You're initially looking for anything out of the ordinary (loose laser) but any further than that would be based on the individual situation. You may be able to get new internal parts but you'd have to google them

TVeblen · 03 Mar 2011

I've attempted the repair a few times with no success. If it is not something obvious then it is most likely a failed laser.
With replacement drives available for $30 US it is worth less than an hour of my time, so now I just replace them without a second thought.