# CD player problem - electronics

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cd-player-problem-electronics/140712>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 5, 2002, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cd-player-problem-electronics/140712 "2002-12-05T16:24:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![KarmaComa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e36b37/32.png) [@KarmaComa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarmaComa)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cd-player-problem-electronics/140712/1 "2002-12-05T16:24:21Z")

</div>

So I bought a JVC XL-PM30SL portable CD/mp3 player and about 92 days after I bought it (of course), it now fails to recognize ANY disc. It just spins up for just long enough to do one rotation, then says “no disc”.

Anyone know why this would be / know how I could fix it cheaply?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cd-player-problem-electronics/140712/2 "2002-12-05T17:33:58Z")

</div>

Replace the batteries. Seriously, that’s what I do when I get that message.

If it’s something more difficult, consult the [Sci.electronics.repair FAQ](http://www.repairfaq.org) which has a section on CD drives, including how to clean a lens properly. (No, you don’t use “lens cleaner” discs.)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cd-player-problem-electronics/140712/3 "2002-12-05T20:56:25Z")

</div>

There are just too many things that can cause a disc read failure. If you can figure out how to trick the device into thinking the lid is closed (while it’s really open) then we can find out a lot. There is usually a microswitch that the lid presses on when you close it. If you can find this, press on it with a Q-tip and observe the behaviour of the mechanism (motor & optics) with no disc loaded.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![andy\_fl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@andy\_fl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andy_fl)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cd-player-problem-electronics/140712/4 "2002-12-05T22:15:11Z")

</div>

Do whatever Attrayant said, but PLEASE don’t look directly into the laser. While, I know of no actual eye damage case, you still run that risk.