Samsung Portable DVD Writer SE-208: motor stops and starts
I’ve had this DVD writer for a few years and it gets only occasional use. What’s happening is that when I put in a CD and close the tray, you can hear the motor engage and it spins for maybe half a second, then stops briefly, and repeats this over and over. Start, stop, start, stop. It does not respond to the eject button - I have to insert a paper clip into the hole on the front of the tray.
I removed the cover to verify that it does actually start to spin. It seems like the laser might be the problem. If I move the laser all the way to the outside edge before putting in the CD, the laser gradually inches closer to the center with each spin until it reaches the center. So maybe it’s unable to read the disc, and that’s why the motor stops right away?
I have checked with other CDs/DVDs. If I put my finger down on the CD, it detects the obstruction and performs a rapid back-and-forth clicking. So it seems like the motor is fine. I figure I probably have to junk this thing, but if anyone has any ideas, I’d love to hear them!
Is this a good question?
H @robthomast ,
Have you tried cleaning the laser lens using a Q-Tip moistened with Isopropyl Alcohol to see if this resolves the problem?
The unit is trying to read the TOC (Table of Contents) data on the disc that is why it is stopping and starting trying to find it.
by jayeff
Alas, yes that was the first thing I tried, cleaning with iso alcohol.
by Rob Thomas