Replace failing DVD Lens?

[Gareth]

I have a Wii I bought at launch and installed a Wiikey in it. I am having problems reading discs like everyone else.

I have always used cheap maxell DVD+Rs (CMC MAG M01), and they have always worked great. Lately, however, I have been coming out with more and more discs that won't even load at the Channels screens. I purchased some nice Verbatim DVD-Rs (MCC 02RG20), and they don't work well either, I get them to load , but I hear the drive clicking and jerking alot and I sometimes get DREs. I always burn at 4x. The PI errors on the cheap discs were avg:323.75 Max:693 PIF avg:4.31 Max:26, while the good discs are PI Errors avg:68.66 Max:168 PIF: .30 Max:7. I use an NEC ND-3550A with Dee's 1Y6 firmware.

At this point, I believe that my drive has started to fail from extended use of poor quality DVDs. What are your thoughts? Is my lens replaceable if indeed it is failing?

[Gareth]

I've been looking around a little and I've seen on ebay they are selling replacements lens assemblies for about 50 bucks shipped. Another thought also occurred to me, about adjusting the POT. As of now, I've located it via a video I found on the net. I don't know the original value, and there isn't a whole lot of info on it right now, but I'm gonna open it up tonight or tomorrow and see if I can find a way to measure it. Search for the video on google and check it out though.

[Krusty2515]

hey do your orginals work well?


you might need to clean the laser, as it might have attracted dust and other things

[Gareth]

Well, after working with my DVDs more and testing, I've lowered my error rate down to: Burned 8x PI Errors avg:18.27 Max: 52 PI Failures avg: .04 Max: 6. They now seem to be reading well now, I tested for several hours yesterday. But the fact that it has gone from reading DVDs with a HUGE error rate to only reading DVDs with a VERY low error rate makes me think either the pot needs adjusting like the Cube, or that yes, it is dirty, or finally, that I have started to kill my drive. I dunno.