"Open Tray" Fix options

[Teufelsmark]

I just had a scare with my lite-on Dg16d4s I was getting the dreaded open tray error. Everywhere I looked people were saying it was the laser and I am convinced that a weak or dead laser would indeed cause this. However my problem was a much easier fix. I had a sticking spindle motor. In my opinion you should try these few things before messing with the laser based on my experience with the issue.

1. Dirty or scratched disk (clean or try different disk)
2. Dirty laser lens (dont adjust anything just clean the lens)
3. Stuck spindle motor (remove and lubricate with WD-40 work free)
4. Various other laser tweaks (as found in other threads about open tray)

I hope this helps someone

 

[Utmad]

The worm gear and the spindle motor should always be checked first..

 

[Teufelsmark]

Agreed... Is lubricating the spindle to where it spins freely a permanent fix or will it become a chronic problem?

 

[Utmad]

Agreed... Is lubricating the spindle to where it spins freely a permanent fix or will it become a chronic problem?

I normally just replace them, i have tried lubricating them before and the problem has come back, you can buy them cheap from places like dx.com in hong kong.

 

[nofeloniesyet]

Agreed... Is lubricating the spindle to where it spins freely a permanent fix or will it become a chronic problem?

spindle should turn freely with minimal resistance.this is why i always remove cover from drive,insert drive back in,put disc in,and put a magnet over top to hold disc in place.then i can physically SEE whats going on.first thing it should do when closed is spin disc a quarter turn,if a laser dont pick it up,it wont spin any more than that.id just replace the spindle motor imho.

 

[Teufelsmark]

**UPDATE** Even after i lubricated it i could still feel a small drag but it spun "freely" more or less. I put it back in the xbox and it played for about an hour then it froze up again. (BTW i have the drive cover off so i can watch the disk) I popped the spindle motor back out and it would not spin the drag had returned and was much worse to the point were it was almost frozen. It felt like there was a fragment of something between the metal spindle housing and the magnets inside. I could not find a tutorial on how to disassemble the actual spindle motor. However the way i see it if it went together in more then one piece it can be taken apart in more then one piece. So I took a large straight screwdriver and pried the housing off the magnets (there is a spot on it where you do not have to pry on the circuit board) It popped off and now I had my motor in 2 pieces. Sure enough inside the housing there was a tiny metal shaving. I cleaned it all up and put it back together and it was as smooth as silk not even the slightest drag. It works like new and is silent when spinning. Note i tried compressed air and you would think that would have cleared that tiny shaving but apparently it was pushing it deeper into the assembly, whatever the case it would not clear the debris that was inside the housing. I would recommend trying the compressed air first though. Ill let you know if it freezes again but i don't expect it too as I got to the root of the problem.