How to open the case to get at the CD player inside to clean/adjust

hi Squeakylyssa .This goes for all cd players.
If a CD is skipping, first ensure that the disc is working properly by checking to see if it plays on another device. If so, you'll have to uncover the problem in your CD player. Some common problems include: broken parts in the device, physical damage to the CD player, dirt within the player or, most commonly, damage to the lens.
Before you do anything with the CD player, it is important to remove the batteries and disconnect the device from any power source. Wait half an hour before you begin cleaning the device.
Use a lens cleaner to clean your CD player's lens properly. Unscrew the top cover of the player and locate the laser lens, which is located just adjacent to the central disc drive. Place a small amount of your cleansing solution on a cotton swab or other applicator that came with a lens cleaning kit; as an alternative to lens cleaner, you can also use isopropyl alcohol. Rub the cotton swab in very light and small circles against the lens until it is clear. Allow the lens to dry, and then proceed to test the CD player. If the CD player is still skipping after the lens has been cleaned, there is likely a hardware problem that needs to be solved.

A CD player has a few hardware components that may be causing your discs to skip. Unscrew and open the case of the CD player to locate the read head and potentiometer. Depending on the type of device you have, you may need to remove the bottom cover to gain access to the soldered side of the electronics board - if so, you will need to remove the whole board before you can proceed. In single-play designs, you should be able to find 3 or 4 screws that need to be removed to enable you to take out the whole optical deck. There may also be a grounding contact under the deck held in with one screw. Make sure you replace this exactly as you found it.
If your player spins for some time without finding the list of tracks and keeps returning some kind of error message once you place a CD in the player, there is a most likely a problem with the read head. The read head is represented by a small square piece that has a plastic disc sitting on top of it. Using a flathead screwdriver, adjust the plastic disc to realign the read head. This process requires you to plug in the device and hit play and stop until these adjustments fix the CD player. Make sure to put the case back on the CD player each time you test it to avoid any electrical shocks.
The potentiometer, which is positioned directly above the laser, may also be misaligned. Usually this is represented by a small square piece that has a plastic disk on top. The disk has a slot adjustable using a small flat head screwdriver. Before making any adjustments, mark the current position of the potentiometer using an indelible marker pen so that it can be returned to its initial position if need arises. You will need to gently adjust the potentiometer and locate the position where the CD player recognizes the disk again and plays it without skipping. Since this is more of a trial and error process, small rotations of plus/minus 30 degrees of rotation are usually recommendable. For safety, put the case back on the CD player each time you test. If you are happy with the performance after the adjustment then put the case back on and you are ready to rock.

do you hear the CD spinning inside the unit?

did you also test music cd (normal WMA file).
you did? and still no disc.... go to step 3

1- the laser can be bad. If you open the system and locate the laser, check at the back of the laser block for adjustment screws. one is for cd and the other is for dvd reading. adjust one at a time counter- or clock wise the screw with small portion. always test after do this adjustment since you dont use a multi-meter to watch the voltage (between 2.99 and 4.95 volts). sometimes you only have one screw, so that is the only adjustment screw then for both cd and dvd.

2 before adjusting the screw be sure it does only play cd WMA file. If for some reason none of the cd/dvd plays dont ever touch the screws.

3 listen for a high pitch sound coming from the servo motor when the player is reading. does this sound comes on short and then start all over again? this indicate that the motor can not reach its rpm for reading the disc. if your lucky, try e-bay or amazon or an electronic shop for a replacement. any servo motor will do, even if its another brand as long it has the same dimensions.

did you use the player very often if I may ask? How much often (2, 3, 4 dvd's at a time)....

CD Errors
· E20 or CHECK CD : Cause(s): The CD player cannot focus on the disc or there is an internal focus problem. Correction(s): Try cleaning the disc or using a new disc. Make sure the disc is loaded correctly. The road could be too rough or there is too much humidity.

If your player is an AC Delco giving you the e20 error and only on your burnt discs the lens is probably not shot. It's just very dirty and can only read professional grade CDs. The remedy is to open the CD player and clean the disc with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol.

You will need a small adjustable wrench or ratchet set as well as a T-7 torx bit. You only need to remove the bottom of the player and the front piece in order to get to the CD player inside. Unscrewing other screws will just lead to having to more to reassemble. Once you get to the heart of the CD player you will need to release it by unscrewing the torx screws and then turning the player over and you will see the lens. Put some alcohol on a q tip and gently rub the lens a few times. then reverse all disassembly and put the player back together.

When you reinstall the CD player it should play all of your CDs

ALSO be sure to disconnect the negative in the battery before removing any electric devices to prevent short circuiting. And only reconnect it after you have reinstalled the CD player.

To clean the cd will involve disassembling the main unit which I dont recommend as things are tightly crammed in and difficult to get to.
As for adjusting you will need an oscilloscope and a deep understanding of cd players if you dont want to risk burning your laser out.
If you do decide to clean inside the player, use a good quality camera lens cleaner with some lint free swabs, this will often improve things if the player has been used in a smokey enviroment.

Make sure the optical eye is clean, Use cotton swap. If that doesn't work and you are handy do the following.
Kurt

To start with, make sure that your CD player is suffering from the problem that this method is designed to fix. This method is designed to fix a misaligned CD read head. The common symptoms of this problem are:
1. You place a CD in the player, and it spins for a bit but never finds the list of tracks on the CD and returns some kind of error. This problem may occur regularly or intermittently.
2. CDs tend to skip frequently, even if they are clean and in good condition.
So if this sounds like your problem, then this method is for you. You should however bear the following in mind: only attempt to fix the CD player if the fault occurs frequently and is really annoying; i.e. if you are thinking of throwing the CD player away. To carry out the repair you will have to open the case. This will certainly render void any warranty the device might have, so if your player is still under warranty, don't open it. Simply return it to the retailer. Finally, for your safety and that of your equipment be sure to disconnect your CD player and remove any batteries at least a half hour before you start work. Finally, although I have had consistent success with this method, everything you do is at your own risk and is your own responsibility. I provide no guarantee of any nature regarding this method.
Your first job is to open up the case of your CD player. This will be more or less difficult depending on the type of device. If you are lucky and have a Hi-Fi separate type device then it will be pretty simple; if you have a mini or midi-system with a built in CD player this could be trickier. Fixing portable CD players (e.g. a Discman) is probably only for the uber-patient as it is likely to be very fiddly. The main thing required here is patience and a methodical approach. As you remove screws put them somewhere safe; line them up in the order in which you removed them, or make notes of what goes where. You may reach a point where you think you have taken all the screws out but you still can't get into the case. Here, patience is still the key. Check under stickers for hidden screws or clips. Try and work out where the case is held together. Use the minimum force possible at all times.
Now, assuming you have managed to get into the case successfully, and have got access to the CD player we can continue. By now you will probably be able to see the CD tray (the bit that holds the disk) and also some kind of arm which hovers over the disk when the tray is closed. There will usually be a small motor for moving the lens over the disk, and attached to this or nearby there is typically a small circuit board.
On this board, or in any case rather close to the read head there can usually be found a small potentiometer (sometimes referred to as a pot). This will usually be a small square component with a plastic disk on top, and this disk will have a slot which is designed to take a small flat head screwdriver. This is what we will be adjusting.
However, before doing this it is advisable to use an indelible marker pen (magic marker) to mark the current position of the Potentiometer, so that it can be returned to its original position if necessary. With this done then we are ready to start fixing your CD player.
This is essentially a trial and error process. You make a small adjustment to the position of the potentiometer, then try the CD player and see if it is improved. In my experience generally only small adjustments (less than plus/minus 30 degrees of rotation) are usually necessary.
Depending on how comfortable you are working with electrical devices there are different ways of going through this trial and error process. If you are unsure of yourself or particularly safety conscious then will probably want to put the case back on the CD player each time you test it because you will probably have to plug it in to do this. However, as you have probably guessed it is not necessary to put all the screws back in.

Make sure it is clean first of all. Use a cotton swap and clean the optical eye. If that doesn't work and you are somewhat handy try the following.






To start with, make sure that your CD player is suffering from the problem that this method is designed to fix. This method is designed to fix a misaligned CD read head. The common symptoms of this problem are:
1. You place a CD in the player, and it spins for a bit but never finds the list of tracks on the CD and returns some kind of error. This problem may occur regularly or intermittently.
2. CDs tend to skip frequently, even if they are clean and in good condition.
So if this sounds like your problem, then this method is for you. You should however bear the following in mind: only attempt to fix the CD player if the fault occurs frequently and is really annoying; i.e. if you are thinking of throwing the CD player away. To carry out the repair you will have to open the case. This will certainly render void any warranty the device might have, so if your player is still under warranty, don't open it. Simply return it to the retailer. Finally, for your safety and that of your equipment be sure to disconnect your CD player and remove any batteries at least a half hour before you start work. Finally, although I have had consistent success with this method, everything you do is at your own risk and is your own responsibility. I provide no guarantee of any nature regarding this method.
Your first job is to open up the case of your CD player. This will be more or less difficult depending on the type of device. If you are lucky and have a Hi-Fi separate type device then it will be pretty simple; if you have a mini or midi-system with a built in CD player this could be trickier. Fixing portable CD players (e.g. a Discman) is probably only for the uber-patient as it is likely to be very fiddly. The main thing required here is patience and a methodical approach. As you remove screws put them somewhere safe; line them up in the order in which you removed them, or make notes of what goes where. You may reach a point where you think you have taken all the screws out but you still can't get into the case. Here, patience is still the key. Check under stickers for hidden screws or clips. Try and work out where the case is held together. Use the minimum force possible at all times.
Now, assuming you have managed to get into the case successfully, and have got access to the CD player we can continue. By now you will probably be able to see the CD tray (the bit that holds the disk) and also some kind of arm which hovers over the disk when the tray is closed. There will usually be a small motor for moving the lens over the disk, and attached to this or nearby there is typically a small circuit board.
On this board, or in any case rather close to the read head there can usually be found a small potentiometer (sometimes referred to as a pot). This will usually be a small square component with a plastic disk on top, and this disk will have a slot which is designed to take a small flat head screwdriver. This is what we will be adjusting.
However, before doing this it is advisable to use an indelible marker pen (magic marker) to mark the current position of the Potentiometer, so that it can be returned to its original position if necessary. With this done then we are ready to start fixing your CD player.
This is essentially a trial and error process. You make a small adjustment to the position of the potentiometer, then try the CD player and see if it is improved. In my experience generally only small adjustments (less than plus/minus 30 degrees of rotation) are usually necessary.
Depending on how comfortable you are working with electrical devices there are different ways of going through this trial and error process. If you are unsure of yourself or particularly safety conscious then will probably want to put the case back on the CD player each time you test it because you will probably have to plug it in to do this. However, as you have probably guessed it is not necessary to put all the screws back in.

Kurt

First make sure the optical eye is clean. Use a cotton swab. If that doesn' work try the following if you are somewhat handy.






To start with, make sure that your CD player is suffering from the problem that this method is designed to fix. This method is designed to fix a misaligned CD read head. The common symptoms of this problem are:
1. You place a CD in the player, and it spins for a bit but never finds the list of tracks on the CD and returns some kind of error. This problem may occur regularly or intermittently.
2. CDs tend to skip frequently, even if they are clean and in good condition.
So if this sounds like your problem, then this method is for you. You should however bear the following in mind: only attempt to fix the CD player if the fault occurs frequently and is really annoying; i.e. if you are thinking of throwing the CD player away. To carry out the repair you will have to open the case. This will certainly render void any warranty the device might have, so if your player is still under warranty, don't open it. Simply return it to the retailer. Finally, for your safety and that of your equipment be sure to disconnect your CD player and remove any batteries at least a half hour before you start work. Finally, although I have had consistent success with this method, everything you do is at your own risk and is your own responsibility. I provide no guarantee of any nature regarding this method.
Your first job is to open up the case of your CD player. This will be more or less difficult depending on the type of device. If you are lucky and have a Hi-Fi separate type device then it will be pretty simple; if you have a mini or midi-system with a built in CD player this could be trickier. Fixing portable CD players (e.g. a Discman) is probably only for the uber-patient as it is likely to be very fiddly. The main thing required here is patience and a methodical approach. As you remove screws put them somewhere safe; line them up in the order in which you removed them, or make notes of what goes where. You may reach a point where you think you have taken all the screws out but you still can't get into the case. Here, patience is still the key. Check under stickers for hidden screws or clips. Try and work out where the case is held together. Use the minimum force possible at all times.
Now, assuming you have managed to get into the case successfully, and have got access to the CD player we can continue. By now you will probably be able to see the CD tray (the bit that holds the disk) and also some kind of arm which hovers over the disk when the tray is closed. There will usually be a small motor for moving the lens over the disk, and attached to this or nearby there is typically a small circuit board.
On this board, or in any case rather close to the read head there can usually be found a small potentiometer (sometimes referred to as a pot). This will usually be a small square component with a plastic disk on top, and this disk will have a slot which is designed to take a small flat head screwdriver. This is what we will be adjusting.
However, before doing this it is advisable to use an indelible marker pen (magic marker) to mark the current position of the Potentiometer, so that it can be returned to its original position if necessary. With this done then we are ready to start fixing your CD player.
This is essentially a trial and error process. You make a small adjustment to the position of the potentiometer, then try the CD player and see if it is improved. In my experience generally only small adjustments (less than plus/minus 30 degrees of rotation) are usually necessary.
Depending on how comfortable you are working with electrical devices there are different ways of going through this trial and error process. If you are unsure of yourself or particularly safety conscious then will probably want to put the case back on the CD player each time you test it because you will probably have to plug it in to do this. However, as you have probably guessed it is not necessary to put all the screws back in.

Kurt

1. its eye unit may in trouble, clean eye by using a eye cleaning cd
2. eye alignment is failed, adjust the eye by adjust the screw on the eye
3. cable may loose contact, re fix cable, check cable replace cable if necessary
4. low power supply problem, check supply voltage, if it low simply add a filter capacitor of 4700uF/40V accross it.
5. some time its main board may problem, check and replace it