I wrote:
"My CD-ROM has sporadically refused to recognize disks in it for a while
now.... Now it is a crisis; it won't read any CDs, ..."

I received no responses to my request (though I admit I didn't leave
much time for that either.) At any rate, I have made my CD-ROM as new,
with the help/reassurance of Sci.Electronics.Repair (S.E.R) FAQ - V2.999
at http://synapse.pimpin.net/repairfaq/REPAIR/F_cdfaq.html .

What I did was remove the drive and take it apart, clean all dust with a
combination of a really soft toothbrush, Q-tips and alcohol, and an old
(cleaned) mascara brush, and clean the lens with a Q-tip with a smidgen
of Dawn detergent. Now everything plays, and damned speedy too. I don't
know if it was just the lens, or all the gunk in there.

Really, the only reason I'm replying to my own post, is to point out the
existence of the FAQ. It's really extensive, covering all kinds of
troubleshooting and covering the mechanics of the drive. It gave me
enough information and confidence to go in there and do what needed to
be done.

Shelley Sterling

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