CD Drive not reading disk. making noise

[eyepea]

my cd drive (a DVD drive) is not reading any disk.
When a disk is loaded, it is making a kraaass noise .
Most times it takes long time and say no disk.

Tried a lens cleaner. No luck.
Check cable connections. Seem to be ok.
Eject tray from software works.
Connected another cd drive in place of this drive and it works.

So what is wrong with this cd drive ?

What causes this kraaass noise ?

Does it sound like something that can be repaired ?
(abt 5 years old so noooooo warentee )
or
Better throw it away and buy new drive ?

thanks

 

[tdevinda]

The spindle may be slipping, trying to grab the disk.

Since its already broken, remove the drive's cover and check the internal stuff for any issues. you might be able to fix it rather than assume things from the outside! (if it goes out completely, you'd have gained some education)

 

[eyepea]

thanks. yep, will check and see.

 

[cm2004cm4ever]

i have already fix my 2 dvd writers (no disc issue). after inserting your disc let him play, after that eject your tray and check disc. if you can c some circles, i think your cd rom's head touching discs. then let me know.

 

[eyepea]

I removed the cover and checked. Blew some air and also cleaned the lens with a cotton swab and cd cleaning fluid carefully.
Now I have the following situation:

DVD - almost all times reads ok. Occasionally get noise and no read. Then eject and place dvd again solves the problem.

CD - (700MB disks data cd or vcd) - Makes noise and does not read at all. I have tried with several disks that read on other drives. So assume no issue with disk.

I also checked the disks for any circles. No sign of head touching the disk

What would cause this problem for CD/VCD and not for DVD now ?
Could the disk be slipping if it is trying to seek and failing for cd/vcd ?

Can the head assembly be moved back and forward by hand easily on its railing?
In my drive, a light force with the finger did not move it, and I did not want to exert more force in case of damaging the gears. But then again if it can read DVDs the head must be moving back and forward anyway. I tested copying over 4GB and it was ok.

The top part of the spindle, which is located on the inside top of the cover and which sits on top of the disk when a disk is loaded, is kind of loose. Is this the way it is supposed to be?

Well it is a good this I opened the drive as suggested.
Good it reads dvd now.
Wish it works for CD too.

Anything else I can try.

Thanks!.

 

[nipsboy]

i have already fix my 2 dvd writers (no disc issue). after inserting your disc let him play, after that eject your tray and check disc. if you can c some circles, i think your cd rom's head touching discs. then let me know.

ur win7 must be real slow, its partition is filled to the brim!

 

[cm2004cm4ever]

he he no. it's working charm no issues so no worries.

 

[nipsboy]

he he no. it's working charm no issues so no worries.

Well I dunno, my vista started runnin like a lambo down a highway when i extended the partition with 5 extra gb previously it had only 4g free