LG 4081b not recognizing any discs?!? help pls...

[tkamin]

Hi!
my drive - a 10 month old LG-4081B simply stopped recognizing any discs i put in it - i'm pretty sure this is a hardware prob since it doesn't even think (blink) when i put in a disc... any1 seen this prob before? if any1 knows what this prob can be i'd really appreciate it... i have Nero 6 (the newest ver) and alcohol 120% if that changes anything...
Thanks,
Tzvika

edit:: it's a 4081B.

[bazooka]

Try cleaning the laser lens and update the firmware.

[tkamin]

firmware updated A104 - a long time ago... - u really think it could be the lens? it can't read anything which is what's really weird - it looks like it's not even trying... but i'll give that a try - thnx!

[OutSiderBR]

I got the same problem with mine. How can I try to clean the lenses ? After I open the device, do I have easy access to the lenses ?

Thanx in advance

[tkamin]

just noticed that u have to take it apart to clean the lens - unless u're using a special cleaning disc... i'll try my luck with the warranty first if there's no other solution...

[OutSiderBR]

Yesterday, I did what I was told by a friend of mine, and it seems it worked. He ask me to put some high temperature lubricant in the two small shafts that guide the reading/writing head. Right after that I tested a simulation of a Maxwell DVD-R with 4.1 GBytes and it went through very well.

Today I will buy some HP printer lubricant oil (an orange one) and redo the work. I will then tell you if I succeeded or not.

[zedolfblack]

I got myself an LG 4081B in March 04 and it worked perfectly for a while.

However it started to fail.
It wouldn't recognise any media.
If left for a week or so it would start to work again, but then fail again at some point.

I returned it to Ebuyer last November and got myself an NEC 3500A replacement.
I had to ring up LG customer services and get a fault report reference before Ebuyer would refund my money.

I'm much happier with the NEC and it was much cheaper than the original LG - i had enough of the refund left to treat myself to a new memory card for my camera.

I'd return the LG 4081B while it's covered by warranty and look at a nice new dual layer 16X writer

Martin.

[tkamin]

i got mine at exactly the same date - sounds like it was crap to begin with...

[OutSiderBR]

After putting some W40 lube in the shafts with a plastic stick (I did not sprayed it as I am not crazy enough 8) ), I could have a successful simulation for a DVD-R burning. I then burned a DVD-RW to its full 4.37 Gbytes with great success. I then started burning a DVD-R with 4.2 Gbytes. And again, success !!! So, I think the lube solved the problem and is the solution. One question remains, though : how often will I have to lube it ? According to my father (a mechanical engineer), I will probably never do it again if I did lube it correctly. I guess I will have to open it once more.

Regards

[tkamin]

can u explain where exactly did u lube? did u have to open the case of the dvd? a picture or explanation would be nice...

[OutSiderBR]

tkamin,
Well, I will try to explain with words. Yes, you have to open the drive :

1-With a screwdriver open the external metallic case. There are 4 screws in total.
2-Take off the metal cover and you will see the printed circuit board, PCB. It is fixed to the drive main body by three plastic black teeth. Just move them and the printed board will be released.
2a-Do NOT try to take the drive frontal frame.
3-Now the worst part: you have to lift the printed circuit board. Be very gentle and careful as there are 3 ribbon cables connecting to several circuits and motors. Just lift it gently and watch out the front part where there are 2 plastic round knobs.
4-Right in the middle of the whole inside you will see the read/write head inside a cradle. This cradle is the moveable part. It moves to and fro along two round metallic shafts. These are the ones to lube.

Words of caution :
1-Do not spray the shatfs with W40 or any other spray. The lenses will get dirty.
2-Do not use graphite powder, plumbago, black lead powder. The lenses will get dirty.
3-Do not use sewing machine oil.
4-Do not overlube the shafts as the grease/oil may evaporate and the lenses will get dirty.

I think you may have noticed that I stress the care you must take with the lenses. This is to avoid completely taking of the PCB and cleaning the lenses as I do not have any idea on how to do it. I tried but couldn´t.

Regards

[tkamin]

thanks alot! i've tried using my warranty first - and will get the drive back in a few days - will report back if they fixed it....

[Regal]

All,
Please tell me that you guys are happy w/ your LG burners?

I just purchased a LG GSA-5120D external burner. I hope it will give me a life-time of SPINS and not die out. Any one experience this same unit that I am getting? Thanks

[OutSiderBR]

tkamin: It is a good solution unless they send you another 4081B and you will have to grease it up, too.

Regal: I am happy with the LG drivers, even if this one had some problems. In fact, it was so cheap that I could buy one 4081B and one 4160B or 5120D for the same price as a Sony ! So, if the first one breaks and I buy another one I will still spend the same amount of money.

As to compliance, yes, Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, Pioneer, LG, Samsung, Philips players all play any type of CD/DVD recorded in my LG 4081B.

[tkamin]

mine is still in repair - will let you know when it'll get back to me...

[tkamin]

Hi!
just got back from repair - A BRAND NEW LG 4160B!! - apparently they couldn't fix it so i just got a new drive - an even better model!
ufinally the warranty pays off....

Tzvika

[OutSiderBR]

25 DVD-/+R and some few CD-RW so far. I will stop reporting the success. 4160 is very good !!!