Okay, Tom inspired me to ask my own off-topic question.
Lately, I've had increasing trouble with my stereo recognizing CDs. At first I thought it was just a problem with certain CDs, but now, it's beginning to have trouble recognizing CDs that it previously had no trouble with.
Does anyone know if there's an easy fix? Or is my stereo ready for the junk heap (over 8 yrs old)?
Try cleaning the laser; You can get cleaning discs that have brushes built on them, and some come with a bottle of cleaning fluid you put on the brushes. Usually has a test tone to et you know when it's done. Places like Staples, or any computer store should have them.
If you're trying to play CDs you've personally burned, it may be so old-school it doesn't recognize anything but commercially produced CDs. If that ain't the case, I'd try taking your CD player down to Lafayette for a weekend or two; making sure you carry it with you under your arm to any live shows you might check out. It may be just a learning issue.
I use a LARGE Magic Fiber cloth similar to what you would use to clean glasses, monitor and tv screens.. Works great. Don't put anything on it.. Wash no soap or detergent.. More or less getting rid of accumulation of dust and tiny particles you can't see. You can use same for the laser.. Very, very gently. Those disks that have brushes etc Kill lasers.. but up to you. Just letting you know what works for me.
Self burn cd or dvd's that you burn yourself something don't last very long specially if you used cheap disks.
I suggest before you do ANYTHING take the troublesome dvd's or cd's to your buddies place and see if they work on his/her.. If they do then its your machine. If they don't it the disks that are the problem
Just so you know I been messin with that stuff for years.