XPost: alt.home.repair, sci.electronics.design   
   From: NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com   
      
   In alt.home.repair, on Sun, 16 Jul 2023 11:34:28 -0700,   
   dplatt@coop.radagast.org (Dave Platt) wrote:   
      
   >In article ,   
   >micky   wrote:   
   >>>Don't.   
   >>   
   >>Do you think the cleaning disk can make the situation worse?   
   >   
   >They can.  I've heard of cases where the brushes on the disk knocked   
   >the lens assembly out of alignment, completely ruining the drive.   
   >   
   >Also, if there's a layer of persistent dust or other gunk built up on   
   >the lens, then the brushes on the cleaning disk may abrade the lens   
   >surface when brushing it off.  Scratches like this cannot be repaired,   
   >and once again you're likely to have a ruined drive if this happens.   
   >   
   >Some forms of lens contamination simply can't be removed by a cleaning   
   >disk.  For example, if anyone has ever smoked (tobacco or cannabis or   
   >...) in your car, then there's a good chance that the lens has been   
   >coated with smoke particles and tar.  Tobacco-smoke tar is extremely   
   >difficult to remove, even with proper cleaning fluids (the Consumer   
   >Reports magazine uses it as its exemplar of a "hard to remove" surface   
   >film).  I have no reason to believe that cannabis tar is any less   
   >damaging to an optical drive.   
      
   I don't smoke anything and the only previous owner didn't leave hints   
   behind that she smoked.  :-)   
   >   
   >>>Just try to read, or better image, the thing on a computer.   
   >>   
   >>Do you think the problem is in the DVD disk and not the laser sensor?   
   >   
   >Entirely possible.   
   >   
   >Equally importantly:  imaging the DVD in a computer drive is a non-   
   >destructive operation.  It won't alter the DVD or drive in any way.   
   >If it works, great - burn yourself a copy on a high-quality DVD-R   
   >blank and see if it works in the car.  If not, you haven't lost   
   >anything other than time.   
      
   I tried that.  Imgburn says "Incompatible Medium".   
      
   And when I try to look at the DVD files with a file manager, I get   
   "Insert a disc" and the drive door opens.   
      
   So I tried the laptop, and it said and did the same thing.   
      
   Is there a more powerful or less persnickity DVD copy program that might   
   work?   
      
   >   
   >Unfortunately, I think that other people have likely pointed you in   
   >the direction of the real cause: the DVD drive mechanism (likely the   
   >laser assembly) in the car is failing due to old age.  If this is   
   >the case, replacement is the only real solution.   
   >   
   >Frankly I'd suggest a different solution.  A cheap, outdated   
   >cell-phone, running Android, with a navigation package like   
   >OSMand, will provide you with the same functionality (maybe   
   >better), with maps that are updated on a regular basis, and   
   >no moving-parts mechanism to fail.  OSMand is free to try out   
   >(unlimited time of use, but only a fixed number of map downloads   
   >or updates available) and cheap to buy (possibly the best $5 I   
   >have ever spent).   
      
   I have a good phone with google maps, osmand, herewego, and the other   
   one whose name I always forget, and the phone is on.  But I also want   
   something big and easy to read.  In fact, though google maps is better   
   in many ways, when driving, when I had a rental car, I did like OSMand.   
   It seemed easier to read quickly without interfering with my driving.   
   And I kept google maps on the phone for details if needed.   
      
   >   
   >   
      
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