Problem with Compact Disc Recorder

[Slartibartfast]

I own a six year old Pioneer PDR-509 Compact Disc Recorder, (The Hi-Fi type
of recorder - nothing to do with computers), which over that time hasn't
been used a great deal.

It has worked with no problems until yesterday. I was trying to record to
it from a mini disc deck. It was recording OK for anything from about three
minutes up to 45 minutes, but then it would suddenly stop and flash a
message "Check Disc". The music recorded up to that point plays back with
no problems.

I thought at first it might be a problem with the discs, as I'd just bought
a new pack, but I tried a different brand and the same thing happened. I've
tried recording using an optical cable and a coaxial cable, and I've also
tried an analogue recording from the radio tuner, but the result is the
same.

As someone with no technical knowledge, my only other course of action seems
to be to find a local repair shop (who may not be interested due to its
age), or to take the unit and give it a good shaking. But before I do
that, does anyone have any ideas if there's anything else I can do myself?

 

[3T39]

Hello, Slartibartfast!
You wrote on Sun, 7 Aug 2005 09:26:21 +0100:

S> It has worked with no problems until yesterday. I was trying to record
S> to it from a mini disc deck. It was recording OK for anything from
S> about three minutes up to 45 minutes, but then it would suddenly stop
S> and flash a message "Check Disc". The music recorded up to that point
S> plays back with no problems.

S> I thought at first it might be a problem with the discs, as I'd just
S> bought a new pack, but I tried a different brand and the same thing
S> happened. I've tried recording using an optical cable and a coaxial
S> cable, and I've also tried an analogue recording from the radio tuner,
S> but the result is the same.

About the only thing you can do yourself is to carefully clean the laser
lens with alcahol on a cotton bud. I think its reasonable to suppose that
the problem with an old machine like this might well be a buildup of dust on
the lens. The problem of course is getting at the laser. I don't know which
model you have but if you remove the case cover (usually just four small
philips screws) the laser assembly should be accessable if you open the
drawer. See if you can find the little blue lens, like a little eye, located
under the tray. If you can see it, CAREFULLY and GENTLY clean it with a
little isapropyl alcahol or something simillar (leaves no residue) on a
cotton bud. Don't try to dry it, just leave it to dry for a few minutes on
its own. See if that fixes it. With luck this might do the trick,.If not,
then I'm afraid a repair is unlikely to be economic.

With best regards, 3T39. E-mail: [email protected]

 

[Slartibartfast]

Hello, Slartibartfast!
You wrote on Sun, 7 Aug 2005 09:26:21 +0100:

S> It has worked with no problems until yesterday. I was trying to record
S> to it from a mini disc deck. It was recording OK for anything from
S> about three minutes up to 45 minutes, but then it would suddenly stop
S> and flash a message "Check Disc". The music recorded up to that point
S> plays back with no problems.

S> I thought at first it might be a problem with the discs, as I'd just
S> bought a new pack, but I tried a different brand and the same thing
S> happened. I've tried recording using an optical cable and a coaxial
S> cable, and I've also tried an analogue recording from the radio tuner,
S> but the result is the same.

About the only thing you can do yourself is to carefully clean the laser
lens with alcahol on a cotton bud. I think its reasonable to suppose
that the problem with an old machine like this might well be a buildup of
dust on the lens. The problem of course is getting at the laser. I don't
know which model you have but if you remove the case cover (usually just
four small philips screws) the laser assembly should be accessable if you
open the drawer. See if you can find the little blue lens, like a little
eye, located under the tray. If you can see it, CAREFULLY and GENTLY clean
it with a little isapropyl alcahol or something simillar (leaves no
residue) on a cotton bud. Don't try to dry it, just leave it to dry for a
few minutes on its own. See if that fixes it. With luck this might do the
trick,.If not, then I'm afraid a repair is unlikely to be economic.

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply. I did what you suggested, but
unfortunately it has made no difference. I tried another recording, but it
lasted only ten minutes or so. Looks like it's time to get a replacement.

 

[JM]

I own a six year old Pioneer PDR-509 Compact Disc Recorder, (The Hi-Fi type
of recorder - nothing to do with computers), which over that time hasn't
been used a great deal.
It has worked with no problems until yesterday. I was trying to record to
it from a mini disc deck. It was recording OK for anything from about three
minutes up to 45 minutes, but then it would suddenly stop and flash a
message "Check Disc". The music recorded up to that point plays back with
no problems.

If it were my machine, I'd check the condition of the slider assembly
(sled?) that the lens is on. Will it play back entire CDs with no problem?
It almost sounds as if the laser is getting stuck at some point on
that slider and can't continue moving to the other end of the slide. Maybe
the grease that was on the rail(s) has turned sticky from non-use? The
other thing I would look at is any ribbon cables between the laser and the
board, even try just unplugging them and reattching, I've done that once or
twice on computer CD ROMs and managed to solve random errors and no-read
problems.

Good luck!

 

[boardjunkie]

I would look into having the spindle motor replaced as well. You said
it has had a lot of use, and the motor won't last forever.

 

[Slartibartfast]

If it were my machine, I'd check the condition of the slider assembly
(sled?) that the lens is on. Will it play back entire CDs with no
problem?
It almost sounds as if the laser is getting stuck at some point on
that slider and can't continue moving to the other end of the slide.
Maybe
the grease that was on the rail(s) has turned sticky from non-use? The
other thing I would look at is any ribbon cables between the laser and the
board, even try just unplugging them and reattching, I've done that once
or
twice on computer CD ROMs and managed to solve random errors and no-read
problems.

I've tried cleaning the "rails" which the laser is mounted on and I've
disconnected and reconnected all the ribbon cables I could get access to
easily, but the problem is still there.

I've been playing back a few CDs and they seem to work with no problems, so
I guess it may be one of those faults which my local electronics shop will
find hard to trace.

Anyway, thanks for your suggestions.