RE: Lens cleaner dvd. I was ready to pop over to my trusty Walmart to get one of these $5 to $10 lens cleaning marvels when it struck me. What does "spindle test failure" mean? Does it mean that the spindle doesn't spin? If the spindle doesn't spin, that means the lens cleaning dvd won't spin and won't function. Am I understanding the meaning of spindle test failure and how the dvd cleaner operates - that its little brushes need to spin around to do their cleaning.
Thank you. Good to hear that. Does any $15 or $20 burner fit and work as well as any other for the 519? Would dust on the laser lens cause a "spindle" fail on the Dell test?
Thank you. Good to hear that. Does any $15 or $20 burner fit and work as well as any other for the 519? Would dust on the laser lens cause a "spindle" fail on the Dell test?
gfmucci
Yes.
A 'Spindle Test' failure usually indicates an hardware failure in the optical drive.
But, you could try using a Lens Cleaner DVD and see if it can make a difference.
"But, you could try using a Lens Cleaner DVD and see if it can make a difference."
"... hardware failure, usually the Spindle motor,"
Then logically a lens cleaning DVD would not work if the spindle motor is not working. Is this correct? Is there a higher than 90% chance a DVD lens cleaner would be a waste of money in this case? $10 for a DVD lens cleaner. $20 for a new DVD player/burner.
Well, I successfully installed my $20 replacement CD/DVD player/burner in my 519. It took barely 20 minutes including reading how to take of the front face plate - simpler than I thought given that this is my first foray into adding/replacing components. I thank everyone for pointing me in the right direction for this one.
By the way, interestingly for a properly operating drive like this, the Dell PC Checkup doesn't bother doing a spindle test - but it lists a whole bunch of other tests that weren't listed for my defective unit. I guess it reserves the spindle test for the units it senses that aren't working properly.
shesagordie
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June 22nd, 2013 08:00
gfmucci
No, I think it's easier and the costs are less, a compatible DVD burner can be purchased for as little as $14.99 with free S&H from here:
http://promotions.newegg.com/neemail/latest/index-landing.aspx
The procedures for replacing the optical drive in the Inspiron 519, are here:
ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_inspiron_desktop/inspiron-518_Service%20Manual_en-us.pdf
Bev.
gfmucci
16 Posts
0
June 23rd, 2013 18:00
RE: Lens cleaner dvd. I was ready to pop over to my trusty Walmart to get one of these $5 to $10 lens cleaning marvels when it struck me. What does "spindle test failure" mean? Does it mean that the spindle doesn't spin? If the spindle doesn't spin, that means the lens cleaning dvd won't spin and won't function. Am I understanding the meaning of spindle test failure and how the dvd cleaner operates - that its little brushes need to spin around to do their cleaning.
gfmucci
16 Posts
0
June 21st, 2013 22:00
Arrrgghhh. Thanks. OK. I just successfully installed an AMD video card. Is replacing an internal DVD drive any more difficult than that?
shesagordie
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46K Posts
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June 21st, 2013 22:00
gfmucci
You need to replace the DVD/RW drive, it's failed.
Bev.
gfmucci
16 Posts
0
June 22nd, 2013 10:00
Thank you. Good to hear that. Does any $15 or $20 burner fit and work as well as any other for the 519? Would dust on the laser lens cause a "spindle" fail on the Dell test?
shesagordie
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
0
June 22nd, 2013 10:00
gfmucci
16 Posts
0
June 23rd, 2013 18:00
"But, you could try using a Lens Cleaner DVD and see if it can make a difference."
"... hardware failure, usually the Spindle motor,"
Then logically a lens cleaning DVD would not work if the spindle motor is not working. Is this correct? Is there a higher than 90% chance a DVD lens cleaner would be a waste of money in this case? $10 for a DVD lens cleaner. $20 for a new DVD player/burner.
shesagordie
10 Elder
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46K Posts
0
June 23rd, 2013 18:00
gfmucci
You are correct. LOL
You also posted about using a lens cleaner, so I answered, try it!
Bev.
gfmucci
16 Posts
0
June 23rd, 2013 18:00
Thanks. I appreciate your response. I'm just trying to narrow down the most cost effective approach with the greatest odds of success.
shesagordie
10 Elder
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46K Posts
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June 23rd, 2013 18:00
gfmucci
As I have already posted, it indicates a hardware failure, usually the Spindle motor, in the Optical drive and a need to replace it.
Bev.
shesagordie
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46K Posts
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June 23rd, 2013 19:00
gfmucci
As SATA DVD/RW drives are cheap, best to replace the drive.
Bev.
gfmucci
16 Posts
0
June 25th, 2013 16:00
Well, I successfully installed my $20 replacement CD/DVD player/burner in my 519. It took barely 20 minutes including reading how to take of the front face plate - simpler than I thought given that this is my first foray into adding/replacing components. I thank everyone for pointing me in the right direction for this one.
By the way, interestingly for a properly operating drive like this, the Dell PC Checkup doesn't bother doing a spindle test - but it lists a whole bunch of other tests that weren't listed for my defective unit. I guess it reserves the spindle test for the units it senses that aren't working properly.
shesagordie
10 Elder
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46K Posts
0
June 25th, 2013 17:00
gfmucci
Congratulations. :emotion-21:
Bev.