The lens hasn't been cleaned for almost two years, and lately it's giving me a lot of coasters. I'm also a smoker, so I guess the smoke and the environmental dust caused the lens to get stained...
I already have 96% ethyl acohol, but I wonder if it is better to get isopropyl alcohol as it is widely used in cleaning solvents?
Also, is it ok to use cotton buds? The cotton fibre on these things seems pretty rough, so maybe there is some better option?
Thanks
2007-01-20 07:50:19 · 4 answers · asked by Darko 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
Shawn, it own a laptop computer - that's why I post this in "Hardware > Laptops". As you know the lens is easily accessible on laptop computers, so I am not exactly opening it or anything.
Secondly, I am asking a legit question. If you don't know which type of alcohol is better for cleaning optical lenses, please do skip this question. I have tried different cleaning solvents in the past, and they are just not as effective as I want.
2007-01-21 09:58:13 · update #1
The one suggestion I have. DO NOT TOUCH THE OPTICAL LENS ON ANY DRIVE/READER. This is very dangerous even for most experts. But if you are a risk taker and want to do it, never use alcohol on any electronic. Also there is a special coating on the lens of an optical drive, so using any type of alcohol, especially ethyl, will damage the protective coating. I suggest if you still have a warranty use it and if you do not, your optical lens is probably safer the way it is right now. Also never use any static material such as cotton, while you clean any electronic. On glass it will scratch, and on circuits, it can cause a short or get stuck in the circuit becuase it is easily ripable.
2007-01-28 05:03:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Optical drives are not typically a user serviceable part. Some end users seem to get the idea that if they can remove the cover, the part can be serviced.
Purchase an optical disk cleaner.
2007-01-20 16:04:15 · answer #2 · answered by Shawn H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont' touch the optical lens at all, you could misalign it very easily. Get a CD/DVD cleaning disc.
2007-01-20 16:04:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'd buy one of those cheep discs from radio shack that does it, it'll come with something safe to use...BUT if you fell safe about cleaning it your self, any alcohol will do, just be sure to let it dry for a good 30 minutes before trying it out.
2007-01-20 15:54:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋