Discussion:
What's a good way to clean old MacBook Pros' optical drives' inside without opening them?
(too old to reply)
Ant
2017-02-27 08:22:04 UTC
Permalink
Is it safe to use those CD cleaners with tiny brushes on them in these
disc slot drives? I am trying to see if I can fix the old early 2008
MBP's internal optical disc drive to read DVD+R DLs, CDRWs, etc.

Thank you in advance. :)
--
Quote of the Week: "The foreign policy aim of ants can be summed up as
follows: restless aggression, territorial conquest, and genocidal
annihilation of neighboring colonies whenever possible. If ants had
nuclear weapons, they would probably end the world in a week." --Journey
to the Ants, page 59. Bert Holldobler & Edward O. Wilson
Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see this signature correctly.
/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://antfarm.home.dhs.org (Personal Web Site)
/ /\ /\ \ Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
| |o o| |
\ _ / Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail privately. If credit-
( ) ing, then please kindly use Ant nickname and AQFL URL/link.
nospam
2017-02-27 12:02:11 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ant
Is it safe to use those CD cleaners with tiny brushes on them in these
disc slot drives? I am trying to see if I can fix the old early 2008
MBP's internal optical disc drive to read DVD+R DLs, CDRWs, etc.
buy an external for $10
android
2017-02-27 12:39:47 UTC
Permalink
Post by nospam
Post by Ant
Is it safe to use those CD cleaners with tiny brushes on them in these
disc slot drives? I am trying to see if I can fix the old early 2008
MBP's internal optical disc drive to read DVD+R DLs, CDRWs, etc.
buy an external for $10
No real harm could be done trying a cleaning disk, if readily available
then...
--
teleportation kills
David B.
2017-02-27 12:44:26 UTC
Permalink
Post by nospam
Post by Ant
Is it safe to use those CD cleaners with tiny brushes on them in these
disc slot drives? I am trying to see if I can fix the old early 2008
MBP's internal optical disc drive to read DVD+R DLs, CDRWs, etc.
buy an external for $10
Really?

http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD564LL/A/apple-usb-superdrive

If I were Ant, I'd try the cleaning disc he's already got BEFORE buying
an external drive!

In the early days of my ownership of this iMac, I found that I could
play CDs but not DVDs ...... or it may have been the other way around!
When I took my computer back to the Apple store (under warranty) the
young 'genius' at the desk said that couldn't happen. After I had
demonstrated that it CAN and DID happen, he went to seek help from wiser
folk. He then learned that the device in THIS machine has a laser for
CDs and a SEPARATE laser for DVDs. I didn't know that! ;-)
--
"Do something wonderful, people may imitate it." (Albert Schweitzer)
android
2017-02-27 12:59:24 UTC
Permalink
Post by David B.
Post by nospam
Post by Ant
Is it safe to use those CD cleaners with tiny brushes on them in these
disc slot drives? I am trying to see if I can fix the old early 2008
MBP's internal optical disc drive to read DVD+R DLs, CDRWs, etc.
buy an external for $10
Really?
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD564LL/A/apple-usb-superdrive
He could go BR for that price:

<http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232083733402>

Don't know if that thingy is bootable though...
Post by David B.
If I were Ant, I'd try the cleaning disc he's already got BEFORE buying
an external drive!
Yeah, but some of them are known to eat ants...
Post by David B.
In the early days of my ownership of this iMac, I found that I could
play CDs but not DVDs ...... or it may have been the other way around!
When I took my computer back to the Apple store (under warranty) the
young 'genius' at the desk said that couldn't happen. After I had
demonstrated that it CAN and DID happen, he went to seek help from wiser
folk. He then learned that the device in THIS machine has a laser for
CDs and a SEPARATE laser for DVDs. I didn't know that! ;-)
--
teleportation kills
David B.
2017-02-27 14:41:03 UTC
Permalink
Post by android
Post by David B.
Post by nospam
Post by Ant
Is it safe to use those CD cleaners with tiny brushes on them in these
disc slot drives? I am trying to see if I can fix the old early 2008
MBP's internal optical disc drive to read DVD+R DLs, CDRWs, etc.
buy an external for $10
Really?
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD564LL/A/apple-usb-superdrive
<http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232083733402>
Don't know if that thingy is bootable though...
I learn a lot on Usenet!
Post by android
Post by David B.
If I were Ant, I'd try the cleaning disc he's already got BEFORE buying
an external drive!
Yeah, but some of them are known to eat ants...
Wow! I didn't know that! ;-)
Post by android
Post by David B.
In the early days of my ownership of this iMac, I found that I could
play CDs but not DVDs ...... or it may have been the other way around!
When I took my computer back to the Apple store (under warranty) the
young 'genius' at the desk said that couldn't happen. After I had
demonstrated that it CAN and DID happen, he went to seek help from wiser
folk. He then learned that the device in THIS machine has a laser for
CDs and a SEPARATE laser for DVDs. I didn't know that! ;-)
Did YOU know that?
--
"Do something wonderful, people may imitate it." (Albert Schweitzer)
android
2017-02-27 16:14:24 UTC
Permalink
Post by David B.
Post by android
Post by David B.
Post by nospam
Post by Ant
Is it safe to use those CD cleaners with tiny brushes on them in these
disc slot drives? I am trying to see if I can fix the old early 2008
MBP's internal optical disc drive to read DVD+R DLs, CDRWs, etc.
buy an external for $10
Really?
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD564LL/A/apple-usb-superdrive
<http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232083733402>
Don't know if that thingy is bootable though...
I learn a lot on Usenet!
Post by android
Post by David B.
If I were Ant, I'd try the cleaning disc he's already got BEFORE buying
an external drive!
Yeah, but some of them are known to eat ants...
Wow! I didn't know that! ;-)
Post by android
Post by David B.
In the early days of my ownership of this iMac, I found that I could
play CDs but not DVDs ...... or it may have been the other way around!
When I took my computer back to the Apple store (under warranty) the
young 'genius' at the desk said that couldn't happen. After I had
demonstrated that it CAN and DID happen, he went to seek help from wiser
folk. He then learned that the device in THIS machine has a laser for
CDs and a SEPARATE laser for DVDs. I didn't know that! ;-)
Did YOU know that?
Never had kind of problem. But that BR needs two ain't that strange:

<https://image.pushauction.com/0/0/e845ce6a-7057-4338-be17-34e6a5cacf7c/1
9f92523-80dd-aea0-7880-aeed05ee97e4.jpg>

or

<http://tinyurl.com/zsot5b4>
--
teleportation kills
nospam
2017-02-27 14:48:25 UTC
Permalink
Post by David B.
Post by nospam
Post by Ant
Is it safe to use those CD cleaners with tiny brushes on them in these
disc slot drives? I am trying to see if I can fix the old early 2008
MBP's internal optical disc drive to read DVD+R DLs, CDRWs, etc.
buy an external for $10
Really?
really. sometimes less. i paid $5 for mine.
Post by David B.
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD564LL/A/apple-usb-superdrive
there's no requirement that it be from apple.

here's one for $11.18:
<https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002CM3H36>
Post by David B.
If I were Ant, I'd try the cleaning disc he's already got BEFORE buying
an external drive!
chances are it won't help at all.
David B.
2017-02-27 15:14:35 UTC
Permalink
Post by nospam
Post by David B.
Post by nospam
Post by Ant
Is it safe to use those CD cleaners with tiny brushes on them in these
disc slot drives? I am trying to see if I can fix the old early 2008
MBP's internal optical disc drive to read DVD+R DLs, CDRWs, etc.
buy an external for $10
Really?
really. sometimes less. i paid $5 for mine.
A bargain! :-)
Post by nospam
Post by David B.
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD564LL/A/apple-usb-superdrive
there's no requirement that it be from apple.
I know that really. It was simply a cost comparison for folk to see.
Post by nospam
<https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002CM3H36>
It's quite amazing how prices for tech gear have dropped during my
lifetime. Great value to be had nowadays.
Post by nospam
Post by David B.
If I were Ant, I'd try the cleaning disc he's already got BEFORE buying
an external drive!
chances are it won't help at all.
He won't ever know unless he tries it! ;-)
--
"Do something wonderful, people may imitate it." (Albert Schweitzer)
Jim Gibson
2017-02-27 18:48:37 UTC
Permalink
Post by nospam
Post by David B.
Post by nospam
Post by Ant
Is it safe to use those CD cleaners with tiny brushes on them in these
disc slot drives? I am trying to see if I can fix the old early 2008
MBP's internal optical disc drive to read DVD+R DLs, CDRWs, etc.
buy an external for $10
Really?
really. sometimes less. i paid $5 for mine.
Post by David B.
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD564LL/A/apple-usb-superdrive
there's no requirement that it be from apple.
<https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002CM3H36>
While I don't dispute that CD/DVD drives are cheap these days, that
link looks like just an external enclosure -- no drive included (and
USB 1.1).

Here's one:

<https://www.walmart.com/ip/USB-3-0-CD-DVD-RW-Burner-Writer-External-Har
d-Drive-for-Apple-Macbook-Pro-Air/555261229>

It says "for Macbook Pro Air"??
--
Jim Gibson
android
2017-02-27 18:51:14 UTC
Permalink
Post by Jim Gibson
Post by nospam
Post by David B.
Post by nospam
Post by Ant
Is it safe to use those CD cleaners with tiny brushes on them in these
disc slot drives? I am trying to see if I can fix the old early 2008
MBP's internal optical disc drive to read DVD+R DLs, CDRWs, etc.
buy an external for $10
Really?
really. sometimes less. i paid $5 for mine.
Post by David B.
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD564LL/A/apple-usb-superdrive
there's no requirement that it be from apple.
<https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002CM3H36>
While I don't dispute that CD/DVD drives are cheap these days, that
link looks like just an external enclosure -- no drive included (and
USB 1.1).
Yupp: "Sabrent SATA Notebook CD/DVD Drive Enclosure (EC-BSAT) "
Post by Jim Gibson
<https://www.walmart.com/ip/USB-3-0-CD-DVD-RW-Burner-Writer-External-Har
d-Drive-for-Apple-Macbook-Pro-Air/555261229>
It says "for Macbook Pro Air"??
--
teleportation kills
nospam
2017-02-27 21:40:51 UTC
Permalink
Post by Jim Gibson
Post by nospam
<https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002CM3H36>
While I don't dispute that CD/DVD drives are cheap these days, that
link looks like just an external enclosure -- no drive included (and
USB 1.1).
indeed it is. it came up in a search for usb dvd drives.
Post by Jim Gibson
<https://www.walmart.com/ip/USB-3-0-CD-DVD-RW-Burner-Writer-External-Har
d-Drive-for-Apple-Macbook-Pro-Air/555261229>
there are cheaper options.
Post by Jim Gibson
It says "for Macbook Pro Air"??
macbook pro *and* macbook air.
Lewis
2017-02-28 09:39:01 UTC
Permalink
Post by David B.
Post by nospam
Post by Ant
Is it safe to use those CD cleaners with tiny brushes on them in these
disc slot drives? I am trying to see if I can fix the old early 2008
MBP's internal optical disc drive to read DVD+R DLs, CDRWs, etc.
buy an external for $10
Really?
Really.
Post by David B.
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD564LL/A/apple-usb-superdrive
No one said buy one from Apple.

I didn't look very hard, so here's one for $13
Post by David B.
https://www.amazon.com/DLPIN-USB2-0-External-Portable-Optional/dp/B01EL51X4Q/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1488274812&sr=1-6&keywords=usb+dvd?
--
Battlemage? That's not a profession. It barely qualifies as a hobby.
'Battlemage' is about impressive a title as 'Lord of the Dance'. <PAUSE>
I'm adding Lord of the Dance to my titles.
Ant
2017-02-28 10:27:55 UTC
Permalink
Post by David B.
Post by nospam
Post by Ant
Is it safe to use those CD cleaners with tiny brushes on them in these
disc slot drives? I am trying to see if I can fix the old early 2008
MBP's internal optical disc drive to read DVD+R DLs, CDRWs, etc.
buy an external for $10
Really?
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD564LL/A/apple-usb-superdrive
Ouch. 3/5 stars?
--
Quote of the Week: "The constant creeping of ants will wear away the stone." --unknown
Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see this signature correctly.
/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://antfarm.home.dhs.org (Personal Web Site)
/ /\ /\ \ Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
| |o o| |
\ _ / Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail privately. If credit-
( ) ing, then please kindly use Ant nickname and AQFL URL/link.
David B.
2017-02-28 11:22:22 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ant
Post by David B.
Post by nospam
Post by Ant
Is it safe to use those CD cleaners with tiny brushes on them in these
disc slot drives? I am trying to see if I can fix the old early 2008
MBP's internal optical disc drive to read DVD+R DLs, CDRWs, etc.
buy an external for $10
Really?
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD564LL/A/apple-usb-superdrive
Ouch. 3/5 stars?
22 reviewers gave ***** ! (click on the stars at the URL)

It was quite interesting reading some of the BAD reviews. ;-)

I was left wondering if such folk had complied with ....

System Requirements:

Compatible with the following computers:

MacBook Pro with Retina display
MacBook Air
iMac (late 2012) and later
Mac mini (late 2009) and later
Mac Pro (late 2013)
--
"Do something wonderful, people may imitate it." (Albert Schweitzer)
Loading...