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Computer DVD drive died.

NickD on Fri February 18, 2011 2:02 PM User is offline

Year: 2007
Make: HP? Made in China.
Model: 4166

Typically debris, dragging disk motor, or a binding head stepping motor, cleaned these before on got them working. This one was fine in these respects, but when checking the disk motor that didn't seem to spin freely, it was mounted on a triangular base. One screw was the pivot, other two were spring loaded with one of those was extremely loose. Can see if the disk were tilted, would never reflect back to the photocell. Thought about aligning it, use do that with all floppies when they were over a couple of hundred bucks each and nothing really to hand a scope probe on. Then with the PCB underneath, no way to get at those screws, they must use a special jig.

A new one was 40 bucks in town, could have gotten that off the net for twenty, but I had my computer all apart and kind of dead without my computer. Also hadn't cleaned in the inside of my computer in a couple of years. So took everything out and cleaned it up. Did that outside, so if you see a dust storm headed your way, blame me. But wondered why those screws were never glued.

Got a bit curious about that laser, always thought that was a chip with a combined photocell. But just a servo controlled lens. Underneath, loaded with a prism, lenses, and individual laser and photo detector. All that was glued together, was made by Hitachi. Guess 40 bucks is not too much to pay for something this complex, but twenty would have been better.

HerkyJim on Fri February 18, 2011 3:22 PM User is offline

Still need one? I got one each IDE and SATA gathering dust. I'll send it.

An HP?

HP: first ever CD burner was an HP. Lasted about six months. Second prinetr was an HP. Worked just fine with win98 until I got a new computer with XP. Wondered what was wrong...needed updated driver...HP didn't update the driver for a four year old printer, so the double=sided funtion didn't work anymore.

Buddy bought an expensive HP desktop. Didn't work right. He set it aside and used his old computer, Asked me to take a look...little research disclosed just a lemon design...too much stuff in too little space, Useless to replace the MB. Junk. Parted-out.

Forget HP.

Bose: got the snazzy new active noise reduction stereo headphones few years ago. Worked Ok made several transpacific flight enjoying the rumble-less ambience. About 40 hours and the left side had a hum. Contacted Bose for repair. Out of warranty, we don't fix 'em, we'll give you $100 trade-in/off on a new ($300) pair. Forget Bose.

Motorola: first cable modem lasted 6 months. Replaced with Linksys refurbed, been workin' fine for a couple of years. Second ever cell phone...Motorola Tracfone (I'm thrifty) never did work right had to dial a number 5 or 6 times before it would go... got the "check 34" message. Replaced with a $10 Samsung Tracfone works primo. Forget Motorola.

Delphi: XM sattelite radio receiver...worked OK for a few months...replaced with another one . Same story and very sensitive to antenna aiming and obstructions. Replaced with Samsung... flawless and gets good enough signal through a lath and plaster wall and a porch overhang that has a layer of cedar shingles and two layes of asphalt shingles on it. Forget Delphi.

Common to all: "Established US companies" with supposedly good reputations. Never had one problem with a Samsung and I don't sell'em, work for 'em, or own any stock. End of story.

NickD on Sat February 19, 2011 6:39 AM User is offline

Well, I did get a Samsung, but major reason was half the price, didn't read reviews, just wanted to get my computer back together again. Use to buy components and assemble my own computers buying the best. Did I get lazy? But HP is making crap, in particular with notebooks. Wife and stepson got an extra year warranty, wifes' notebook survived, but his died, but at least was repaired for free. They had to replace the mainboard that on a notebook is everything electronic except for the display. Stepdaughter got hers later, it died in 13 months with no extended warranty. Repair price was the same as buying a new computer, she got a Sony instead. But in my dealings with HP on this subject, don't like hearing, we are sorry, so I replied, goodbye, never buying HP again.

Is there anything else we can help you with? You never helped me with the problem I called you about. GOODBYE!!



Motorola was thee semiconductor company, ever since the early 60's, but that is history. Do have a half a dozen defunct cell phones in a bag. Was going to take them apart and see if I could make one good phone out of it, but obsolete. Has a label under the battery that turns green is water. Most only have a dot of green on that label, no warranty, screw you and all that. Cell stores around here were really pushing Motorola, has to be because they make more profit on them and said you won't be happy with any other phone as it has far superior sensitivity. On the road, my LG worked where my wife's Motorola was dead, more lies. But she believes what she hears, but slowly getting wise.

Actually all of these authorized cell phone dealers lie like crazy, better to deal directly with your cell phone company. Actually would be better not to have a cell phone.

2005Equinox on Sun March 06, 2011 11:23 PM User is offline

I just had a GeForce 9800 video card bite the dust. Though in my infinate wisdom I didnt check to see how much of a power supply it needed. Turns out it needs at least a 400 watt one and mine is 300 watts. Such luck.

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2008 Chevrolet Impala LS
1981 Pontiac Bonneville


2007 Sears Craftsman Lawn Tractor


1985 Chevrolet Caprice


1986 John Deere 165 lawn tractor

NickD on Mon March 07, 2011 7:21 AM User is offline

Vividly recall using AutoCad 10 on a 386 using a co-processor emulator, doing a regen, could draw faster by hand. Was a bit faster wasting 1200 bucks on a co-processor. Only gotten as far as AutoCad 2006, its not like it is a ten buck upgrade. But works like a flash.

Thought I had the fastest box in the world until my boys put a video game on it, but was more like a 286. Boys are gone now, so can still think I have the fastest box in the world.

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