Step-by-step CD32 lens replacement (with pics)

[spudje]

Ok thanks a lot. Sorry, should have read the post more thoroughly. So I know what to do now

[Amiga1992]

No need to apologize! I just wanted to make sure you didn't waste your money.

[Paul_s]

Hope you don't mind me adding this here Akira, but it's an excellent resource for diagnosis of laser issues.

http://lampizator.eu/LAMPIZATOR/TRAN...aserology.html

[Amiga1992]

That's a great link Paul, I will add it to the fist post, thanks!
If anybody has anything to add to the guide, do let me know and if it's relevant and good I'll put it in the first post.

[jotd]

Just replaced my laser with a Sony KISS 210A laser following Akira instructions and my CD32 now seem to work. We'll see if it keeps working but there's hope! I'll now fix the other one I have.

My remarks:

- you can avoid to remove the blue connector on the motor, just remove the laser.
- no need to remove the white ribbon cable that links the motherboard to the CD unit if you are careful
- no need to remove the metal cover beside the laser unit (the one with the sole screw, I couldn't even remove it). No need to calibrate the laser for me anyway
- solder sucker did the job perfectly to remove the solder blob. It just left enough solder on both pins, but removed the connection neatly.
- if you don't know how to remove solder, train on the old laser or another broken piece of electronics, just to get used to it (all this soldering work makes you wish you'd have 3 hands, left or right)

Very very easy steps. I litterally suck (no puns) at soldering/desoldering and DIY in general (the "2 left hands" syndrome) and I managed it anyway.

Thanks again Akira for this excellent tutorial.

[rutra80]

Just a hint: in the past I replaced like three CD32 drives which were working fine very shortly. Ultimately when I replaced CD32's external PSU all of them began to work flawlessly...