Cd player maintenance

[funkyrich]

What is the best way to maintain your cd player apart from those cleaning discs you can buy?(Do these things really work?) I ask this because an older cd player that I own has started to malfunction more often; I.e- The player takes ages to load certain discs and it skips on otherwise visibly clean discs. Any advice please?

[clarabel82]

I know that you can take the back off clean the laser cover ever so gently with a cotton bud, as dust on it can cause cds to skip. But you might want to take it to a shop and have it done professionally.

[Wispy68]

The CD player on my hi-fi system played up in the same way for months, even after using a cleaning disc, which didn't do much good. I was about to take it to the tip, but decided to remove the top cover and find out what was wrong with it. After seeing that the lens was covered in dust, I put a drop of spectacle cleanser on a cotton bud and gently wiped, then dried the lens. It is as good as new again and hasn't played up once!!

[dodgyshirt]

Considering the price of them now you might as well buy a new one if its that old.

[funkyrich]

Thanks for your suggestions. I have a micro hi-fi system which works well but I thought it was a shame to just leave the older model sitting there in the corner neglected.The older model is one of those bulky stacker units from the early nineties.

[romko]

Firstly - Dont even think about cd cleaning discs - not only are they useless, but the brushes on them risk knocking the lens out of alignment or damaging it, though luckily I havent had that myself. Instead, open the unit (unplug first). You may have to apply power, press eject, then unplug again to get access, or you may have to gently slide the sled (which the pickup is mounted on) into a more accessible position. Apply pure alcohol onto a Qtip (get both from the chemists - or tape head cleaner solution will do, as this is usually alchol based). Then *gently* wipe it across the lens and dry excess. You will notice the lens is spring-mounted. do not apply too much pressure or you will damage the assembly. This works on DVD players too if they act up. That method has worked for me on at least 50 occasions over the years. good luck!