CD player problems

Just added a factory CD to my 94 SL2. CD inserts and spins up okay, but
after 10 seconds the display says 'err' and the CD is ejected. It seems
to be a known problem as some vendors offer a fix (~175.00), but I can't
find any specifics. Can someone shed some light on this?

TIA

Mike

 

Is it a store bought music cd or one you've burned on the home computer?

 

I've tried a couple different store bought CDs, all brand new in the
last couple weeks.
Mike

 

....hmmm - I have no idea (other than to replace), sorry.

 

This is OEM equipment you're trying to install? Is it new or used?
Have you tried taking it apart and examining the laser head for
scratches or dust? Not sure how difficult this would be. The only
thing I might consider using to clean the head if it is dirty is an SLR
lens cleaner cloth, or maybe if you're careful 'compressed air from a
can' that is usually used for cleaning electronics. Anything else is
liable to scratch it, and any sort of solvent may leave a film.

I know this will sound odd, but try some of your older CDs (more than a
year old) if you have any. Also, trying burning an audio CD if you can
- make sure the session is closed ("no more data can be written to this
disc") and the media is a CD-R disc (not a CD-RW).

The record labels have been screwing around with CDs in a major way
latley, adding data tracks and other nonsense which have programs that
automatically install copy protection software onto your harddrive, ie:

http://www.techcentralstation.com/120202C.html

http://msl1.mit.edu/furdlog/index.php?p=2099

http://www.stargeek.com/item/79101.html

http://ukcdr.org/issues/cd/bad/

Wouldn't seem that should affect your _car_ CD player, but some CD
players simply can't handle mixed-mode (data and audio tracks) or
crippled (copy protected) CDs. They shouldn't have to, either.

The record labels don't give a rip about whether or not it works in your
car. You've already bought and opened the CD and in most cases, can't
return it.

Let me emphasize something the articles say: if it turns out that the CD
player works just fine (ie, you burned a CD and it plays without a
problem or plays old CDs) - it is /not/ the CD player's fault. There
are no new "standards" or "upgrades" or "patches" that your CD player
requires*. The record companies, however, want to blame you and suggest
otherwise.

Bastards.

-rj
98SL2

* Some "newer" CD players know how to tolerate mixed-mode and crippled
CDs - but they have been specifically designed to do so outside the
standards of the audio-cd format.

 

Yeah, it's OEM. I thought I would try and use the 'correct' equipment
and it's backfired.

I cleaned the lens with 100% isopropyl alcohol, per a CD site. No
difference. I also tried an older CD (original 'Centerfield', 1984) with
no luck. As someone on another site said: "it's broke". Thanks for the
help, though, and I will keep in mind the CD format problems.

Thanks!

 

The record companies are too funny - a $15 CD just can't compete with a $15
or $20 DVD, besides for an old fart like me pop music is not on the top of
my list to purchase. I do like finding odd or old (or both) CD's and or
just DL'ing a track or two from iTunes, Musicmatch, etc.

Bastards - short and to the point, I like that! (grin)

 

Philips is going after record companies that use some of the copy
protection schemes (which don't even work anyway), because they do
things that make the CD a non 'red book' CD. I.e. it no longer follows
the defined standard for CD-DA. Because of this, Philips is preventing
the companies from using the 'Compact Disc Digital Audio" logo on said
discs. Thus, one potential way to find such nonstandard CDs should be
to look for the absence of the CD logo. Of course, I'm sure the record
cos will sue and things will get messy..