Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!microsoft!brianw
From: brianw@microsoft.UUCP (Brian Willoughby)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: SE barfs all disks fed to it.
Summary: Disk drive, VCR and tape head cleaning
Message-ID: <7838@microsoft.UUCP>
Date: 26 Sep 89 05:17:42 GMT
References: <2384@netcom.UUCP> <127500047@tippy> <7804@microsoft.UUCP> <11134@smoke.BRL.MIL>
Reply-To: brianw@microsoft.UUCP (Brian Willoughby)
Organization: Microsoft Corp., Redmond WA
Lines: 58

In article <11134@smoke.BRL.MIL> gwyn@brl.arpa (Doug Gwyn) writes:
>In article <7804@microsoft.UUCP> brianw@microsoft.UUCP (Brian Willoughby) writes:
>-Disk drive cleaning kits do more damage than good, thier use is not
>-recommended.  Disk drives do not need cleaning under normal use, ...
>-cleaning kits for VCRs (and possibly CD cleaners too) are just as
>-abrasive, and end up putting more wear on the mechanism than a long
>-period of normal use.
>
>This strikes me as utter hogwash.  Every magnetic media handler
>manufacturer I've dealt with has recommended periodic cleaning.
>(Tape drives, disk heads, etc.)

I probably didn't make myself exactly clear, as I subsequently explained
to the person who raised the original post.  Its not that I think
cleaning is *never* necessary, but that consumer oriented cleaning kits
are not acceptable tools for doing so.  I'm not saying that because of
how it 'strikes me', but because of professional advice and personal
experience.  I have had several reports both in NC and WA from VCR
repairmen who have had units in their shop for repair which were damaged
by excessive cleaning.  The cleaning was recommended by the manufacturer
of the cleaning kits, not of the equipment itself, and they usually
recommend to clean too often.  Also, I was advised before I purchased my
Apple Disk II to never to clean a floppy drive.  I have never had any
trouble, except as related to speed (but I don't let school children use
my Apple, that could make some difference).  Regarding tape heads, those
need a great deal of cleaning, but much less so now that I use quality
cassettes.

Take my advice as you will, but I wouldn't rely on the makers of consumer
oriented cleaning kits for their version of how often to clean magnetic
media-based equipment.  Ask the manufacturer of the unit, or the person
who would be repairing your unit, what the recommended product would be
for periodic cleaning and how often to use it.  Better yet, have a
professional clean your VCR or drive once a year if you really think it
needs it.  On one hand, you're up the creek if you damage your equipment
with improper cleaning tools, I'm sure the cleaning kit manufacturers
don't mention your warrenty.  On the other hand, you might save a buck.
I don't really care because I don't stand to make or lose a penny, no
matter what you do.  I made my post because I was advised to never clean
floppy drives, and during eight years of use I have NEVER NEEDED TO.  If
someone can tell me why my drive still works without cleaning, then I'd
be glad to learn somthing.  I will admit that cassette decks need to be
cleaned by hand, and it may not seem logical that VCRs or floppy drives
don't need that, but just ask your local VCR repairman for a few horror
stories.

Incidently, the original poster, who sparked my followup, sent me mail
concerning how he uses q-tips and alcohol (I would prefer professional
tape cleaning fluids with rubber conditioning ingredients) to clean his
cassette tape heads.  That's the method I use for cassette decks, too,
but it doesn't retract the fact that I've had good performance from all
four of my drives (3.5 and 5.25) without the use of any cleaning kits.

Brian Willoughby
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