THE OPTICAL / MAGNETIC CHALLENGE
This endeavour has span across nine days, of which few time was spent on work done to restore these pieces. All in all it took me around 24 hours put together. More time was spent waiting for painted pieces to dry.
ENJOY!
***** STAGE 1 *****
Around nine days ago my gut feeling was saying
GO TO THE FLEA MARKET. The weather is sunny!
I wanted to find a
Creative CD-ROM unit for some time but I had no luck, until now
As my CD-ROM units were getting scarce I wanted to try and see if I can rescue some from the dumpster.
The
Goldstar CRD-8240B (CP1) - CD-ROM from the posts above is not working properly - the door opens, the unit is detected by the PC, the led lights up on power up but the unit is not reading CD-ROMS. You load a CD, the leds lights up and then nothing happens. You can hear the motor working.
I also bought a Seagate HDD - 40GB which has a protective rubber sleeve. The chances are that it is ok.
FDD - Panasonic JU-256A428PC
FDD - Samsung SFD-321B
CD-ROM - LG CRD-8240B
CD-ROM - GOLDSTAR CRD-8160B -
THE EXACT MODEL I HAD with my first PC - The door looks different but the model is the same ![Big Grin :D :D](https://tpucdn.com/forums/data/assets/smilies/biggrin-v1.gif)
CD-ROM - CREATIVE CD4834E
CD-RW - CREATIVE RW8435E
DVD-ROM - Pioneer DVD-120S - I bought this unit because it has a slot loader mechanism
HDD - Seagate ST340810A - 40GB - Certified Repaired HDD
I bought some surgeons gloves because these pieces look rather nasty. Especially the Creative 48X which is also rusty. If it didnt have the Creative name I wouldnt've even bothered...
gallery: https://postimg.org/gallery/juqsak2c/
***** STAGE 2 *****
Against my better judgment I decided to first clean the optical units and then test them
I know I know it's not good I did this, but man
they were nasty as hell and I just couldn't connect them to a nice clean working PC
Deep down inside I hope that al the units will work.....
Most important, is that I do the cleaning in
a storage space at my workplace, otherwise at home it would be a nightmare
First I
dismatled all the pieces and washed all the metal and plastic parts with hot water and detergent. I also used surgeon gloves for protection
![Big Grin :D :D](https://tpucdn.com/forums/data/assets/smilies/biggrin-v1.gif)
Better safe than sorry!
Next will be some
CIF cream scrub of the plastics.
I wont use this abrasive paste on screen printing as it will take it of!
The worst unit was the
CREATIVE CD4834E - 48x it was rusty and crusty. So first I
buffed the metal casing. Then I
wet sanded with fine grit sandpaper the metal surface. Then I used an
auto rust remover which also stripped the paint ![Big Grin :D :D](https://tpucdn.com/forums/data/assets/smilies/biggrin-v1.gif)
YAY!!!
Then two coats of
PRIMER.
Next I'll put two coats of
gray paint that its used for painting car exhausts (it can sustain up to 800 degrees C
![Big Grin :D :D](https://tpucdn.com/forums/data/assets/smilies/biggrin-v1.gif)
) so that I wont need clear coat for the paint. I'm still not sure if I will use clear coat as the unit will inevitably be scratched when I'll put it into a case.
The
CREATIVE units have a nice mechanism and the door opened so smoothly it was unbelievable. I just used a long needle and they opened on the first try. Some goriila tried to open the door with a screwdriver and scratched the door of the Creative CD-RW.
The Goldstar and LG units are kind of generic.
The Pioneer DVD-ROM has an awesome mechanism.
I will have to wash the motherboards and clean the mechanisms with fine brushes and with great attention as I dont want problems
I wont be able to make them mint but I'll be close to that
Observe the huge metal CD retention / centering plate on the Creative units. One of them has two plastic prongs broken I'll have to improvise a retention hook for one part.
This will be time consuming but I LIKE IT!!!
I still dont know which works
and to be honest I dont care right now ![Big Grin :D :D](https://tpucdn.com/forums/data/assets/smilies/biggrin-v1.gif)
gallery: https://postimg.org/gallery/kmpetbhe/
***** STAGE 3 *****
CREATIVE CD4834E
This unit
received a lot of work to give it its former glory. After coats of primer, paint and clear coat it looks pretty well despite its age. I still have to give it one more coat of clear coat and then it will have to dry a few days.
I didnt want to use clear coat but it is essential for the durability of the paint. I really didnt want to see it peel off.
By mistake I didnt repair some bumps in the metal casing but it's no biggie I like it even more with its face
full of battle scars and all...
The internal mechanism is something else. I like it a lot. It is different than what I have seen until now. One
BIG PLUS is the
absence of the rubber belt for the closing / opening of the tray. Everything is on
SPROCKETS (no, this is not a Jetsons show
![Big Grin :D :D](https://tpucdn.com/forums/data/assets/smilies/biggrin-v1.gif)
)
NOW THAT IS WHAT I CALL ENGINEERING!!!
gallery: https://postimg.org/gallery/oito859a/
CREATIVE RW8435E resembles the Creative unit from above but in this instance we are doing with a
CD-RW unit.
gallery:https://postimg.org/gallery/1vmubvd4o/
The CREATIVE units will not be dismantled to nuts and bolts. For me it's childs play disassmeble them for better cleaning but their construction is a little more complicated and I'm worried about the ribbon cables which may be brittle after all these years.
GOLDSTAR CRD-8160B- nothing spectacular, ancient rubber belt technology. MY FIRST CD-ROM model....WOW 19 years have passed....damn....
The PCB-ul needed washing with 99% izopropyl alcohol.
gallery: https://postimg.org/gallery/q83neh5g/
LG CRD-8240B
Standard optical drive...again nothing spectacular.
The PCB-ul also needed cleaning...
gallery: https://postimg.org/gallery/1vcoiukpg/
Pioneer DVD-120S
I played a little with the loading mechanism.
Pretty CLEVER STUFF!!!
When I moved by hand the ejecting mechanism the CD was sent out without problems. When I'll make a live test, I hope I wont see a CD flying out from this unit cutting all the hanged meat in the slaughter house, like in the PREDATOR 2 movie scene
![Big Grin :D :D](https://tpucdn.com/forums/data/assets/smilies/biggrin-v1.gif)
.
gallery: https://postimg.org/gallery/2sadjlydw/
FDD - Panasonic JU-256A428PC & FDD - Samsung SFD-321B - nothing fancy. OLD and floppy
![Big Grin :D :D](https://tpucdn.com/forums/data/assets/smilies/biggrin-v1.gif)
i hope they work
The door of the
PANASONIC unit had a torn plastic bit. I quickly improvised a solution with a needle, a lighter and some patience
gallery:https://postimg.org/gallery/2ncn8lb20/
Seagate ST340810A HDD
This HDD received a good cleaning. The rubber sleeve saved it from destruction. The IDE socket received some damage and some pins were bent. I straightened them up quickly with a fine pliers.
I washed the PCB with 99% izopropyl alcohol.
I really like the mirror finish of the HDD top cover.
IT IS AWESOME!!!
When I move the HDD gently by hand, I can hear the sound of the motor. It sounds healthy
gallery:https://postimg.org/gallery/1kz28rna6/
More to come: cleaning of the internal components of the optical drives and FDDs.
***** STAGE 4 *****
Scratch scratch scratch
Because the sticker was old and damaged I had to clean it as good as I could. I used cotton swabs and some 99% isopropyl alcohol.
I also encountered some overspray which needed cleaning. Because the adhesive on the corners was weak I also encountered some underspray. But nothing too excessive.
The use of surgeon gloves ensured a smooth glide over the painted surface and I also didnt contaminate the surface.
After this, I put a last layer of clear coat which sealed the edges of the sticker. I didnt want to clear coat the entire sticker for fear that it will wrinkle. But I think it would've worked. Maybe next time.
All in all it came out pretty decent
I wanted to test at least this unit but it still requires some work
![Big Grin :D :D](https://tpucdn.com/forums/data/assets/smilies/biggrin-v1.gif)
If 2 units out of 5 will work it will be ok.
I briefly tested the HDD and the results are kind of meh.....it works but....more later
***** STAGE 5 *****
Last saturday I had
5 hours of free time and I put them to good use
![Big Grin :D :D](https://tpucdn.com/forums/data/assets/smilies/biggrin-v1.gif)
:
1. I cleaned with
CIF cream all the plastic bits of the ODD's and FDD's
2.
I assembled and tested the following units:
CD-ROM - LG CRD-8160B
CD-ROM - LG CRD-8240B
DVD-ROM - Pioneer DVD-120S
I had to use
silicone grease on the rails and guides of the ODD's plastic trays so that they glide smoothly.
I also used a small quantity of
silicone grease on the metal rails on which the read head glides.
The lenses were cleaned
GENTLY with 99% isopropyl alcohol and a cotton stick, then wiped
SOFTLY with a microfiber cloth.
The
DVD-ROM Pioneer DVD-120S unit was harder to clean but with
PATIENCE, with a soft long haired brush, with cotton sticks dipped in 99% isopropyl alcohol and with a soft rag,
I managed to clean it up nicely. Not as I would've liked but it's better than nothing. The lens was harder to clean but I in the end I did it
![Big Grin :D :D](https://tpucdn.com/forums/data/assets/smilies/biggrin-v1.gif)
.
All these three units have problems with the rubber belt. I washed the belts with hot water and soap followed by a wipe with 99% isopropyl alcohol and a rag. Out of three tries the doors open twice.
I will replace the belts FOR SURE. This was to be expected.
Next will be
a full test in a working system. It is good news that at least they work. I'll see if they read optical disc as they need to
gallery: https://postimg.org/gallery/jz62cb84/
Seagate ST340810A - 40GB it's kind of
MEH...
On startup I thought it is in good shape but upon a closer investigation
the truth was revealed: 45 reallocated sectors....
After an
8 hour HDD Regenerator process followed by
three passes of ERASE in HD Tune Pro, the READ / WRITE diagram
came out pretty good.
New bads havent appeared but the entire magnetic surface registers
delays in HDD Regenerator. I dont know if this is caused by the IDE-SATA adapter I used but I'll update the status when I'll test it a real system
As a plus it is very silent. I could short stroke it and use in a 486 system.
For this HDD
his better days are far behind...
gallery: https://postimg.org/gallery/2is4jcele/
The CREATIVE units require more work but I already see the changes
***** STAGE 6 *****
The road to SUCCESS? - I still have to wait until I can call this endeavour a true SUCCESS.
I wanted
to save some anicent electronic "artifacts" of a bygone era and for the time beeing,
I'm on the right track. Some pieces still need testing but for now
they are in working mechanical / electric condition. I still have to fully test their read / write capabilities in a working system. At least they are alive and kicking
With what shall I begin?
AaaaaaAAA! YES! With a FDD unit which despite beeing clean as a whistle refused to work as it should:
Sony MP-F17W-59D - FDD - This unit had
a problem with the movement of the read /write heads. The metal wire which was supposed to track the screw axle just jumped over the indentations. At first I thought that the problem was due to damage done to a plastic part but to my amazement the screw which tightens a metal plate which in turn keeps the metal wire on track over the indentation of the axle,
WAS LOOSE. EASY FIX! Now I can't move the heads by hand sign that the unit might work. Before this fix the PC would report: Floppy Disk(s) Fail (40).
I'll test the unit later. After this I can safely say I can dismantle a FDD unit in complete confidence.
gallery: https://postimg.org/gallery/1b8ncgjbg/
GOLDSTAR CRD-8160B
Smooth sailing.
gallery: https://postimg.org/gallery/n4dur690/
LG CRD-8240B
Smooth sailing. Again
gallery: https://postimg.org/gallery/l6onzdm8/
CREATIVE RW8435E
Smoo......SMOOTH SAILING my arse
![Big Grin :D :D](https://tpucdn.com/forums/data/assets/smilies/biggrin-v1.gif)
more like:
*(#!()#*!)~~)~)~~~!@*@!#&!*()#~~~~~!!!
This unit didnt want to be saved.
Problems:
1. On one side
the plastic hooks for the support / centering of the CD were torn off.
2.
Sign of tampering - two screws of the metal cover were not completely tightened and the VOID stickers were damaged.
3.
The metal / plastic guide for the read / write head was in bad shape with lots of cracks.
Solutions:
1.
THE HUMBLE SCREW!
2. Nothing to report
all screws ARE REPORTING.
3.
Here I wanted to preserve the orginal part. I could have improvised a more sturdy part but for the sake of originality I decided to find a solution. I wanted to use and adhesive and I thought about POXIPOL but it was to thick and it would require sanding and could cause fittment issues.
So I used SUPERGLUE. This stuff entered every nook and cranny.
I used gravity and a cotton stick to distribute the liquid. Usually I dont use superglue but in this case
it was the right "tool" for the job. Even without superglue the cracked pieces werent moving so this was like an inssurance.
Before applying superglue I filed and sanded gently the entire part on wich the read / write head would glide.
I straightened some pins and a metal prong from the metal case. I used
silicone grease where it was needed.
I tested the unit. The door opens, the led lights up and the motor spins the CD
Some signs of damage from attempts to forcefully open the door still remain.
gallery:
Pioneer DVD-120S
Smooth sailing.
I changed the rubber belt with a slighlty thicker one from my BOX O' PARTS and the unit purrs
Man I LIKE THIS UNIT!
gallery: https://postimg.org/gallery/jegkaom2/
CREATIVE CD4834E
This unit was
MY LITTLE PROJECT.
It was in bad shape, rusty, dirty, scratched in a word:
UNDESIRABLE! but if I wouldn't've bought it I would still be thinking of her
It was
cleaned and
painted and now it stands in front of you in all its
glory.
I had to clean the metal cover of the EJECT-CLOSE / PLAY switches with liquid auto rust remover as they were a little
rusty.
Silicone grease was used where it was needed.
I should've removed
the dents in the metal cover but I was in such a hurry to restore this unit that I missed it. Anyway I dont know if I could've make like it was new.
The
biggest problems were caused by the fact that the temperature at which I painted the metal cover was very low. Also I couldnt paint in a clean closed space.
The
next problem was caused by the fact that I didnt wait as much as I should have for the paint to dry. Even if the instructions were saying 30 min until applying the next coat because the temperature was low the paint wouldn't dry fast. It was dry to the touch but very soft.
After I waited a whole day before using clear coat I still had to put the finished metal case parts on supports over the radiator for 4 hours. After this the painted surfaces were good for assembly. The finished unit will stay for a few more days until I'll put it in a box.
I present you the finished results! Not to shabby!
gallery: https://postimg.org/gallery/2ds1hg0d2/
***** THE TOWER! *****
'NUFF SAID!
gallery: https://postimg.org/gallery/dxuqddze/
Next I have to:
1. finish cleaning the Samsung si Panasonic FDD's
2. test the three FDD's Sony, Samsung and Panasonic
3. test the read / write capabilities of the ODD's
This is a 5/5 in regard to the fact that the ODD's arent dead and they show signs of life. Now they are up to my standards required for testing and can be connected to a working system
More later.