Drive dying?

[zworg2]

Hi

What signs would you expect a burner to give as it is on its last breath?

(and how would i test it?)

Mine is whirring more (tho this is mplified by the case, as with the side off it is a lot quiter)

Burns are slow.

Decrypter has failed a few times before even burning anything.

(its not the media)

thx in advance

[lordsmurf]

Not reading, seeing read errors on perfectly fine discs. Bad burns, refusing to see certain kinds of media.

[redwudz]

Those problems could also be caused by dust on the laser lens. The noise may be caused by excess seeking by the laser assembly.

I would try cleaning it.

[zworg2]

thank fully the noise is an intake fan (right next to it)

But it has failed to burn (with decrypter) on three seperate occasions, one being from cold startup.

THe 2nd and 3rd attempts failed to even start.

The 1st looks like the motor for the lense stuttered. on the disc there are dark and light rings as if the lense overburnt in some areas and underburnt in others
(i hope that made sense!)

I have treid cleaning it with a lens cleaning CD, but havent dared open it up to clean with isopropyl.

I have also read feedback both here and elsewhere, that many people have found that theier Plextor drives (mine is a 504A) have just failed, and relatively quickly (i have only had mine 18 months and it has never had heavy wear, and i guess i have burnt 200 discs in that time...)

i am gonna buy another drive anyway, and if i can get this one going all the better.

[zworg2]

I have gathered that LiteOn is a good brand.

Any thoughts between the following choice?

£60.00 USB2 External

£50.00 Internal

??

[redwudz]

I would avoid an external burner, unless you really need to do it that way, and in that case, use a Firewire external. You would probably have to have to add in a PCI Firewire card, though. Many people have good luck with USB and some don't.

The case fan may have been a 'sleeve' bearing type. When you replace it, look for ball bearing fans. Much better lifespan.

The DVD drive may have a sticking slide on the lens assembly. You might try a blast of 'canned air' directed towards it. Worth a try, though if the slide is sticking, it may be more a lack of lubrication, and more difficult to remedy. That's just a guess, however, it still could be a totally unrelated problem.

[zworg2]

thats kinda wot thought the answer would be...
i'll be getting the internal then.

cheaper, further away, but at least i dont ahve to give my money to Staples (who i really dont like)

fan is a silly intake thing that sits in a drive bay - so no real worries there

and
i'll take it apart and clean and grease it (if i can)

thx for all your help