What can I clean the lense of a laptop cd drive with?

[cheetoden]

I was installing some software and the drive stopped reading. I was wondering what to clean the lense with before calling the drive dead. I was thinking of alcohol and a cotton swab.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Zepper]

Get a CD/DVD drive cleaning kit that uses a wet method. Your local big box computer/office supply stores should have them. Get a good brand like 3M (Imation), Fuji, Maxell or Diskwasher. I disassemble my drives and use chamois or foam swabs and lens cleaning solution, but that's not practical for most people.

Of course it may have nothing to do with the drive's optical system. Let's hope that's all it is...

.bh.

 

[cheetoden]

I didn't want to buy anything special for it. Like I said, its a laptop drive. The lense is right in your face when the drive is open.

 

[Zepper]

Well, you could use a piece of rolled up coffee filter and rubbing alcohol (70% or less isopropyl or ethanol alcohol with no additives like glycerine or wintergreen oil). Then dry with a second rolled up piece of coffee fileter. I say coffee filter because it is a commonly available, lint free material.

.bh.

 

[cheetoden]

Well, I used one of my wife's foam makeup removers and her contact lense solution and it works now. Thank you for the help.