Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!udel!rochester!pt.cs.cmu.edu!o.gp.cs.cmu.edu!andrew.cmu.edu!wb1j+ From: wb1j+@andrew.cmu.edu (William M. Bumgarner) Newsgroups: comp.sys.next Subject: Re: Cleaning an optical disk Message-ID: Date: 30 Apr 91 01:30:02 GMT References: <1173@creatures.cs.vt.edu> Organization: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA Lines: 41 In-Reply-To: <1173@creatures.cs.vt.edu> I have run across several OD's that have been in need of cleaning and have used the following steps (succcessful in every try so far): - Open up the shutter (there is a little black lock pushbutton that has to be pushed in before the shutter will open) and spin the disc w/your finger. As you spin it, look for any gross globs of gunk that may be causing spot errors. Remove w/non-abrasive cloth. If it is a difficult spot, lick it-- seriously, I have found that saliva does wonders. Just don't do it after eating chocalate... - If it is just generally dusty, but not terribly so, blow off the dust. Be careful not to slobber on the disc-- it won't hurt it, but the spotting may affect read/writes. Don't do this after eating something w/lots of crumbs or something like chocalate. - If it is really dusty, get an allen wrench and take the case apart. You will have to split the label on the one end and take the shutter off the other end. There is a spring in the shutter mechanism that will probably come out. ODs aren't complicated, so it shouldn't be to hard to figure out how to get it back together. Run the actual disc under a faucet w/reasonable pressure-- this will remove the grime quite nicely. If possible, I suggest not letting water go through the middle whole and get between the layes (it seems like common-sense). When drying, try and blow the disc dry-- make sure there is no spotting. If you have to towel dry, use a non abrasive towel and wipe away from the axis of rotation. - If none of that works and there are some nasty spots left, try a little CD cleaner and an extremely soft material. Scrub away-- being careful to always scrub perpendicular to rotational direction. hope that helps, b.bum b.bumgarner | Disclaimer: All opinions expressed are my own. wb1j+@andrew.cmu.edu | I officially don't represent anyone unless I NeXT Campus Consultant | explicity say I am doing so. So there. "I ride tandem with the random/Things don't run the way I planned them.."