Please help with CD Player ...

[salvasol]

I have a problem with my CD player (Sony CDP-C250Z)... when I insert a disc (1-5) it shows a message "No disc"

I already try the reset (unplug the power cord, manual said about 30 minutes; but I left if overnight) and also in case of condensation I leave it on overnight (manual say 30 min - 1 hour) ... that didn't fix the problem

I send an email to Sony and their response didn't help (they told me to do what I did before) ...

I think that maybe is the laser that is dirty and doesn't read the discs ... I have a CD lens cleaner but i can't use it because the player doesn't recognize any disc ...

I need your advise to fix this problem ... I know the best thing is to take it for repair, but I want to try something else before doing that ... I think it will be cheap or a better option to get a new unit instead of fixing this old player ...

[yourgrandma]

Even ifit doesnt recognize it, it will still spin the cleaner disc, thus doing its job.

[doubeleive]

well if you are atleast partially mechanically inclined you could #1 unplug it from the wall, #2 simply remove the top cover, look inside and see if you can access the laser head if you can #3 simply use a clean paper towel dampened with windex and dab it very carefully onto the laser head and then use the other end of the towel to dry the laser head, #4 wait a couple minutes and #5 plug it back in and while the cover is still off try to insert a disc and see if will play (it's ok to do this while the top cover is off) also be very carefull to not touch any other electrical parts while doing this (danger of electrical shock). if it works unplug it again and replace the cover. I have "salvaged" a lot of dvd & cd players this way, they often get dirty laser heads.

[salvasol]

...Even ifit doesnt recognize it, it will still spin the cleaner disc, thus doing its job...

That's what I expected when I inserted the CD cleaner ... but it didn't work

...well if you are atleast partially mechanically inclined you could #1 unplug it from the wall, ... they often get dirty laser heads.

... I will try tonight ...and if doesn't work, it will be time to .. try something else ....

Thank you

[conchyjoe7]

Kind of a last resort, but have you tried a little compressed air? Be extremely careful because it's under high pressure, but I have known those that this worked wonders for....
Good luck,
Konky.

[salvasol]

conchyjoe7 wrote:

Kind of a last resort, but have you tried a little compressed air? Be extremely careful because it's under high pressure, but I have known those that this worked wonders for....Good luck, Konky.

No, I haven't ...

I found on the internet a post from somebody who use I dryer to get rid of the condensation ... so, I used mine to blow cold air to remoe dust inside the player; but it didn't work ... I don't know if the compressed air will have more pressure than the dryer ... I will give a try

[conchyjoe7]

It may also be the alignment of the laser device and not just dust. That situation will dictate a trip to the repair depot... Let's hope for the best.
Konky.

[salvasol]

...... I opened the CD player, cleaned the laser and it didn't work

I'm not sure, but I think the laser is gone ... I'm assuming that when you turn on the player, the laser will light up, Right??? ... After cleaning I plugged the player and turned on, I saw the carrousel spining and pick up the disc, spinned the disc and then drop it ....

Any idea how much can cost this repair??? ... I don't really need it, I have a CD writer that I'm using now, but in case that I want to give it away, I can tell that person was is wrong and how much it will cost to repair ...

[Mike P.]

Take it to an electronics repair shop to get an estimate. Phone around and find out how much the estimate will cost. I had a Pioneer DVD player quit on me and when I took it in to get it repaired, I was told the the laser assembly was $400.00. The estimate cost was $25.00.

[conchyjoe7]

With all due respect, I think you've done about all you can for that patient. Give it a decent burial and move on...RIP!

[drf]

salvasol wrote:

...... I opened the CD player, cleaned the laser and it didn't work

I'm not sure, but I think the laser is gone ... I'm assuming that when you turn on the player, the laser will light up, Right??? ... After cleaning I plugged the player and turned on, I saw the carrousel spining and pick up the disc, spinned the disc and then drop it ....

Any idea how much can cost this repair??? ... I don't really need it, I have a CD writer that I'm using now, but in case that I want to give it away, I can tell that person was is wrong and how much it will cost to repair ...

For cd players it should be visable, but not always. Although the spectrum is just inside the visable spectrum for humans, the size and strangth of it may be too small. On the other hand DVD is just outside the visable spectrum and thus should not be seen at all.

[daniel]

Maybe it's time to look for another cd player. It could be wise to stay away from sony. They are good...as a marketing enterprise. There's so many good player you can find without going for a sony.

[lcaillo]

yourgrandma wrote:

Even ifit doesnt recognize it, it will still spin the cleaner disc, thus doing its job.

Actually, most players require focus lock before starting the spindle motor. Most likely this player is not cost effective to repair. Most likley a bad laser.

A good resource for laser info:

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/cdfaq.htm

[salvasol]

Thank you for all suggestions

[JCD]

You've already gotten some good advice.. but I also think it's time to retire your unit to the here-after.

JCD