Is my burner completely dead?

[neo_74]

Hi, Just have a quick question. Am I right in understanding that a dvd burner has 2 lasers, one for dvd movie files and the second for data and audio? The reason I ask is I noticed that my burner is beginning to shoot out a lot of coasters lately and figure that the laser must be going which is understandable due to the length of time I've had it. So if this is true I thought then I would install a new drive but also leave the old one in for use with audio discs since the second laser should still be pretty good. Can anyone please confirm this fact? Thanks for your help.

[redwudz]

Yes, two lasers, one for DVD and one for CD. I would just toss the unit and replace it and maybe add a DVD ROM or a second burner, though. It doesn't sound like you are wearing it out with CD burning anyway.

[somebodeez]

I have a burner that started to give me coasters but it still reads and rips ok (for the most part) so I just use it for that and use my good burner just for burning in the hopes that it'll last longer.

[Ron B]

I've found when it reads but not writes, it's half dead, at that point I start thinking about a new burner. Because I'm cheap, I usually take the top off the drive and clean the lenses with camera lens tissue, that does not always work.