ftp.nice.ch/peanuts/GeneralData/Documents/hardware/OD-dust-filter.tar.gz#/dust_docs

README
 

installation.wn


 

pamphet.wn


 

README

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xHH/d[(HHdd'@88      About The NeXT OD Dust Filters

These filters, both the external design and the internal design, have been created to keep dust from entering the NeXt optical drive. They are designed to block the flow of dust through its main entrance point, the optical drive door (the internal filter blocks a few other dust entrances as well). Their foam composition, however, allows airflow to continue almost unimpeded, so that the fan can still draw air into the cube to cool it. This foam is also specially treated so that it has an ionic effect, so it actually tends to repel most of the kinds of dust that would otherwise flow into the cube (skin, hair, etc.). Thus these filters not only keep dust out of the optical drive, they also do not get very dusty themselves. This helps reduce the frequency with which you must clean the filters. In addition, they have been carefully created to be soft enough not to impair OD function, and not to dry out and decay over time.
_ 
Installing Your NeXT Dust Filter

External filter: Place one plastic strip into the slot by the right side of the optical drive door (next to the ridged area) with the taped side on the outside, so that the tape will be on the smooth part of the cube. The strip should be just below the manual disk ejection hole (the small rectangular hole on the right above the OD door.) Press the tape on the strip down. Then place the other strip in the same position on the other side of the door. Lift up the sides of the strips facing inward, insert the foam between them so that it covers the OD door, and let the strips fall back into place. The foam should now be secured in front of the OD door, and you should be able to slide it up and down along the strips to expose the door for disk insertion. See picture for intended final appearance.
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Internal filter: Follow the instructions for disassembling the cube under ``Cleaning the Cube'' in the enclosed cleaning guide. (You can disregard all the instructions about vacuuming if you wish, but it is probably a good idea to clean the cube while you have it disassembled.) When you get to the part where the internal filter installation is suggested, place the cube on the towel with the open side facing you. You will have two pieces of foam. Each piece has slits cut into one side. One piece also has the notch removed  from one corner: this is the top piece. Take the top piece and place it, slit side down, inside the cube, just above the OD door. The notch should be on the top and to your left: it should lay so that the manual disk ejection hole (the small rectangle above the OD door) is left uncovered. Make sure the ``fingers'' formed by the slits fit into the notches above the door. They should protrude just a bit into the OD entrance itself. After the top piece is securely in place, take the bottom piece and put it, slit side up, under the OD door. The bottom of the foam should be aligned with the second groove under the OD door, and the entire piece should fit snugly into the rectangular area marked off by grooves. The bottom of the slits should be aligned with the top groove. Again, make sure the ``fingers'' fit properly into the notches.These fingers should protrude about halfway up into the OD entrance. The small fingers on either side of the foam should be pressed securely into the notches to hold the foam in place. See the picture for what the final installation should look like.
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Once you are sure that the foam pieces are in place, continue with the instructions for reassembling the cube, as described in ``Cleaning the Cube''.

Cleaning Your Filter

When the filter starts to look dusty, it is time to clean it. With the external filter, it is of course quite easy to check for dust. If you have an internal filter, you will have to peer into the OD entrance, but enough of the filter protrudes into the entrance that you should be able to see if it is dusty or not. To clean (either the external or internal), simply vacuum it with a vacuum cleaner with bristle attachment. Run until clean.
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Once you are sure that the foam pieces are in place, continue with the instructions for reassembling the cube, as described in ``Cleaning the Cube''.

Cleaning Your Filter

When the filter starts to look dusty, it is time to clean it. With the external filter, it is of course quite easy to check for dust. If you have an internal filter, you will have to peer into the OD entrance, but enough of the filter protrudes into the entrance that you should be able to see if it is dusty or not. To clean (either the external or internal), simply vacuum it with a vacuum cleaner with bristle attachment. Run until clean.

Disclaimer: Cleaning the NeXT or installing filters is potentially hazardous and may void your warranty. With this understanding we do not accept any responsibility, financial or otherwise, for any damages or injury that may result from the above instructions or installation and use of our filters.  Although we ourselves use the above cleaning methods and have attempted to make the instructions as explicit and accurate as possible, and we have extensively tested our filters, we cannot guarantee you will have the same successful results.

Refund Policy: If you are unhappy with your dust filter for any reason, please return it with a note explaining your dissatisfaction and we will gladly supply a full refund.
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Once you are sure that the foam pieces are in place, continue with the instructions for reassembling the cube, as described in ``Cleaning the Cube''.

Cleaning Your Filter

When the filter starts to look dusty, it is time to clean it. With the external filter, it is of course quite easy to check for dust. If you have an internal filter, you will have to peer into the OD entrance, but enough of the filter protrudes into the entrance that you should be able to see if it is dusty or not. To clean (either the external or internal), simply vacuum it with a vacuum cleaner with bristle attachment. Run until clean.

Use

Internal filters will sightly impair disk inserts and ejection. If  you are unable to insert a disk or the OD cannot eject a disk or there is great resistance, you must  re-align the filters. Make sure that all the fingers are placed properly and that the bottom filter does not protrude more than halfway into the OD entrance. Do the same for the top filter and adjust it so that it does not protrude more than a quarter-way down.

External filters are simply "slid" down out of the way whenever a disk is to be inserted or ejected. If you forget to slide the filter down during a disk ejection then the filter will simply pop out. In that case just put it back in. 

Disclaimer: Cleaning the NeXT or installing filters is potentially hazardous and may void your warranty. With this understanding we do not accept any responsibility, financial or otherwise, for any damages or injury that may result from the above instructions or installation and use of our filters.  Although we ourselves use the above cleaning methods and have attempted to make the instructions as explicit and accurate as possible, and we have extensively tested our filters, we cannot guarantee you will have the same successful results.
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Use

Internal filters will sightly impair disk inserts and ejection. If  you are unable to insert a disk or the OD cannot eject a disk or there is great resistance, you must  re-align the filters. Make sure that all the fingers are placed properly and that the bottom filter does not protrude more than halfway into the OD entrance. Do the same for the top filter and adjust it so that it does not protrude more than a quarter-way down.

External filters are simply "slid" down out of the way whenever a disk is to be inserted or ejected. If you forget to slide the filter down during a disk ejection then the filter will simply pop out. In that case just put it back in. 



*$$v$	&$6$]be8his foam is also specially treated so that it has an ionic effect, so it actually tends to repel most of the kinds of dust that would otherwise flow into the cube (skin, hair, etc.). Thus these filters not only keep dust out of the optical drive, they also do not get very dusty themselves. This helps reduce the frequency with which you must clean the filters. In addition, pamphet.wn   666  35676     13       54164  4571406021   6225 X!0GhGdG`GpGl	2!99dHHdddbbq'uXtXtXt2!0F F$F(FF	
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Getting Dust Out Of Your NeXT


Z
Z0A Guide to Cleaning Dusty Optical Drives and                                 		Other Cube Innards
-Z
Z0Before installing the filter, you will probably wish to clean the optical drive, as it undoubtedly has accumulated quite a bit of dust. You will definitely wish to clean the OD if it has failed due to dust buildup. You will also probably wish to clean the inside of the cube, as dust accumulates there as well. This pamphlet describes two methods -- one fairly simple, the other more radical -- for cleaning the OD, and the way to clean the inside of the cube in general.
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Z0
Cleaning the Optical Drive -- Easy method

You will need:
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Z@0		
		a flashlight
		several (probably at least 10) long (~8 in.) Q-tips
		a pen

Insert the pen in the optical drive door about 1/2 in., until the door flap is wedged open. Angle the flashlight so that you can see all the way into the drive. Insert a Q-tip in the door and remove any dust you see by rotating the Q-tip gently. (NOTE: the Q-tips should be entirely dry, not soaked in water or alcohol.)  Change Q-tips as they become dirty. When you have removed most of the visible dust, locate the laser platform, a black rectangle behind the silver, round spinner mechanism. Using a clean Q-tip, rotate as before, GENTLY touching the laser platform to remove the dust accumulated there. 


This method will remove the worst of the dust buildup. It also has the advantage of not requiring a major disassembly of the cube and, because of its simplicity, it is highly unlikely that anything will go wrong. This method can also be used on the partially disassembled cube when cleaning the cube (described below), at which time you will have a slightly better view into the drive.

Cleaning the Cube

We will describe cleaning the cube before discussing the second method of cleaning the optical drive, since both procedures require disassembly of the cube. 
Even though some disassembly is required, this procedure is not technically very demanding. Cleaning the cube is highly recommended for everyone.

You will need:

		for disassembly:
		a large clean towel
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At this point, you may clean the OD, either by the easy method (just take the middle section, place it on the towel, and then follow the instructions given above) or by the radical method (described below). The radical cleaning is preferred if you desire a thorough cleaning of the OD, or if the easy method has failed to restore a non-functioning OD to operation. If you ordered an internal dust filter, this is the time to install it (after the OD cleaning, if you intend to clean the OD. Installation instructions are included with the filter.)

Cleaning the Optical Drive -- Radical method

Warning: Although this method definitely gets the OD cleaner than the easy method, it does require a good deal of complicated, and possibly difficult, disassembly. There is also more risk of damage, should you make a mistake. This method is only recommended for those who are confident in their ability to take apart the NeXT and put it back together.

In addition to the tools for cleaning the cube, you will need:

		a Phillips screwdriver
		a pair of needle-nose pliers
		a lot (probably around 30) regular Q-tips (long Q-tips are not needed)

Go through the disassembly described under ``Cleaning the Cube'' up to the point at which cleaning the OD is suggested. At that point, put the cube aside, and place the middle section, top side up and with the OD entrance facing you, on the towel. At the back of the middle section, disconnect the black power cable (on the left) and the black rectangular cable (on the right) from the optical drive. There will be two screws on either side of the OD, in holes marked ``O'' (for optical drive, as opposed to the H-hole for the hard drive). Remove the rear screw on each side using the NeXT tool. Then, insert two fingers in the OD entrance to support it (these four screws are what holds the OD up, so when they are all removed it will fall a bit unless it is supported.) Next, remove the front screws on either side, making sure that you do not let the OD drop. Then gently pull the OD out. Put the rest of the middle section aside for now.

Place the OD right side up on the towel (this is the side with the sticker and with four screws on top forming a rhomboid, rather than a rectangle as on the other side). Using the Phillips screwdriver, remove the four screws on top of the OD, and then lift the front up and back all the way. Prop it in this position (the NeXT tool is quite useful for this), being careful as it has a tendency to snap shut. Be very careful NOT to touch any of the components attached to the top. Take a Q-tip and remove dust by gently rotating it. (NOTE: As with the easy method, the Q-tips should be completely dry.) Change Q-tips as they become dirty, and make sure to get between the cables at the back (although, again, do not touch the components on the top.)
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After you have finished removing dust, you must disconnect two orange ribbon cables at the back left of the OD which connect the top to the bottom. Using the needle-nose pliers, gently pull out the two white tabs on these cables, then gently pull the ribbon cables out. Then slide the tabs off the ribbon cables. Put the tabs aside and gently lower the top, making sure the ribbon cables are entirely inside the OD. 

Turn the OD over (leaving the entrance facing you), and remove the four screws on this side (now the ``top'') with the Phillips screwdriver. Gently lift up the front of the top facing you. You will not be able to lift it very far, as the top is connected to the inside by two cables. Lift up the top enough to expose the cables, and then gently disconnect the 5-pin connector on the top left and the 3-pin connector on the bottom middle. Now you can remove the entire top. Prop it open with the NeXT tool, and remove the dust from top and bottom by rotating the Q-tips. Gently touch the laser platform (a black rectangle which will be attached to the ``top'') with a clean Q-tip to remove dust.

When you have finished removing the dust, lower the top most of the way,
re-attach the 5-pin connector to the top and the 3-pin connector to the bottom
(do this very gently, being careful NOT to bend the pins). Close the top and replace the four screws using the Phillips screwdriver. Then turn the OD over again, and lift the top back up (again propping it open so that it does not snap shut). Pull out the ribbon cables. Slide each tab over the appropriate ribbon cable
(size will make it obvious which tabs and cables go together), and then carefully push each cable back into its slot, until there is no silver metal showing. Then gently push the tabs back in. Again, do NOT touch the circuit board on top. Close the lid, making sure that the ribbon cables are inside, and replace the four screws with the Phillips screwdriver.

At this point, put the middle section back on the towel, again with the front facing toward you. Wipe the top of the power supply (at the bottom of the middle section) with the damp cloth to remove fingerprints. Then dry with the dry cloth. Then slide the OD back into the middle section. Again with your finger inside the OD entrance, move the OD until the front screw hole in the OD is aligned with the front hole marked ``O''. Then replace the front screw using the NeXT tool. Now repeat this process for the front screw on the other side. Then replace the rear screw on each side. Reconnect the power cable (4-pin connector) and the rectangular cable to the back of the OD (again, do NOT bend the pins.) Now, you should reassemble the cube, as described under ``Cleaning the Cube''. (If you have an internal dust filter, you will probably want to install it before reassembling the cube.)
88Z
Z@`0		the NeXT screwdriver tool (in the tool kit accompanying the NeXT)

		for cleaning:
Z
Z@0		a vacuum cleaner with soft bristle attachment
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Z@`0		2 small clean cloths, 1 slightly damp
Lay the towel on the floor or other large flat surface. Put the NeXT cube on the towel. Disconnect all the cables from the back of the cube. Then, using the NeXT tool, remove the four screws on the back of the cube, and gently pull the back panel off and let it drop onto the towel. Put the screws aside in a safe place. The back panel contains the fan. Remove the cord to the fan by pulling gently. Using the vacuum cleaner with bristle attachment, vacuum the fan and the inside of the back panel. Then put the back panel safely out of the way. Grip the metal strips on the edge of the mother board and GENTLY pull out the mother board enough to expose the cable(s) (about 1/4 of the way out). There will be an initial resistance as it snaps out of place, after which it should move easily. Do NOT touch the components of the mother board. There will be a cable attaching the board to the optical drive, and another attaching it to the hard drive if you have one. Gently pull out the cable(s) by tugging on the strap in various locations. Carefully remove the mother board, again making sure that you do not touch the components, and put it safely aside. Now, again using the NeXT tool, remove the two silver screws at the bottom of the middle section, inside the cube. (They are slightly out of view.) Place one hand on top of the cube and two fingers in one of the holes under the top of the middle section (they are also slightly out of view). Tug with your two fingers until the middle section ``pops'' out, and then gently pull the middle section entirely out. Vacuum the OD entrance or wipe it with the dry cloth. Then put aside the middle section aside for now, and vacuum the inside of the cube. Also turn the cube over and vacuum the vent on the bottom. 
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Now, you start reassembling the cube. Take the middle section and wipe it with the damp cloth to clean it, then dry it with the dry cloth. Then gently place it on the grooves visible on the bottom of the cube, and gently slide it back into the cube. It should click into place when it is all the way in. If it does not, make sure that the two holes near the bottom screw holes of the middle section are aligned with the pins of the cube, and then push a little harder (and perhaps tip the cube forward a bit), until it clicks. Replace the two screws at the bottom with the NeXT tool. Next, take the mother board and slide it in along its grooves about 3/4 of the way. Reconnect the OD cable (and the hard drive cable, if you have one) being very careful NOT to bend any pins, to the mother board, and then slide the board the rest of the way in, until it clicks into place. Take the back panel, reconnect the cord to the fan, and the replace the panel. Replace the four screws with the NeXT tool. Using the damp cloth, wipe the outside of the cube. Dry with the dry cloth. Then reconnect all the cables at the back, and you are done.
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Disclaimer: Cleaning the NeXT or installing filters is potentially hazardous and may void your warranty. With this understanding we do not accept any responsibility, financial or otherwise for any damages or injury that may result from the above instructions or installation and use of our filters.  Although we ourselves use the above cleaning methods and have extensively tested our filters, we cannot guaranty you will have the same successful results.
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Disclaimer: Cleaning the NeXT or installing filters is potentially hazardous and may void your warranty. With this understanding we do not accept any responsibility, financial or otherwise for any damages or injury that may result from the above instructions or installation and use of our filters.  Although we ourselves use the above cleaning methods and have attempted to make the instructions as explicit and accurate as possible and we have extensively tested our filters, we cannot guarantee you will have the same successful results.
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0	Before installing the filter, you will probably wish to clean the optical drive, as it undoubtedly has accumulated quite a bit of dust. You will definitely wish to clean the OD if it has failed due to dust buildup. You will also probably wish to clean the inside of the cube, as dust accumulates there as well. This pamphlet describes two methods -- one fairly simple, the other more radical -- for cleaning the OD, and the way to clean the inside of the cube in general.
Z
Z
0
	Cleaning the Optical Drive -- Easy method	

You will need:
Z
Z
@0		
		a flashlight
		several (probably at least 10) long (~8 in.) Q-tips
		a pen

Insert the pen in the optical drive door about 1/2 in., until the door flap is wedged open. Angle the flashlight so that you can see all the way into the drive. Insert a Q-tip in the door and remove any dust you see by rotating the Q-tip gently. (	NOTE:	 the Q-tips should be entirely dry, not soaked in water or alcohol.)  Change Q-tips as they become dirty. When you have removed most of the visible dust, locate the laser platform, a black rectangle behind the silver, round spinner mechanism. Using a clean Q-tip, rotate as before, 	GENTLY	 touching the laser platform to remove the dust accumulated there. 


This method will remove the worst of the dust buildup. It also has the advantage of not requiring a major disassembly of the cube and, because of its simplicity, it is highly unlikely that anything will go wrong. This method can also be used on the partially disassembled cube when cleaning the cube (described below), at which time you will have a slightly better view into the drive.

	Cleaning the Cube	

We will describe cleaning the cube before discussing the second method of cleaning the optical drive, since both procedures require disassembly of the cube. 
Even though some disassembly is required, this procedure is not technically very demanding. Cleaning the cube is highly recommended for everyone.

You will need:

		for disassembly:
		a large clean towel
Z
Z
@`0		the NeXT screwdriver tool (in the tool kit accompanying the NeXT)

		for cleaning:
Z
Z
@0		a vacuum cleaner with soft bristle attachment
Z
Z
@`0		2 small clean cloths, 1 slightly damp
Lay the towel on the floor or other large flat surface. Put the NeXT cube on the towel. Disconnect all the cables from the back of the cube. Then, using the NeXT tool, remove the four screws on the back of the cube, and gently pull the back panel off and let it drop onto the towel. Put the screws aside in a safe place. The back panel contains the fan. Remove the cord to the fan by pulling gently. Using the vacuum cleaner with bristle attachment, vacuum the fan and the inside of the back panel. Then put the back panel safely out of the way. Grip the metal strips on the edge of the mother board and 	GENTLY	 pull out the mother board enough to expose the cable(s) (about 1/4 of the way out). There will be an initial resistance as it snaps out of place, after which it should move easily. Do 	NOT	 touch the components of the mother board. There will be a cable attaching the board to the optical drive, and another attaching it to the hard drive if you have one. Gently pull out the cable(s) by tugging on the strap in various locations. Carefully remove the mother board, again making sure that you do not touch the components, and put it safely aside. Now, again using the NeXT tool, remove the two silver screws at the bottom of the middle section, inside the cube. (They are slightly out of view.) Place one hand on top of the cube and two fingers in one of the holes under the top of the middle section (they are also slightly out of view). Tug with your two fingers until the middle section ``pops'' out, and then gently pull the middle section entirely out. Vacuum the OD entrance or wipe it with the dry cloth. Then put aside the middle section aside for now, and vacuum the inside of the cube. Also turn the cube over and vacuum the vent on the bottom. 
%
At this point, you may clean the OD, either by the easy method (just take the middle section, place it on the towel, and then follow the instructions given above) or by the radical method (described below). The radical cleaning is preferred if you desire a thorough cleaning of the OD, or if the easy method has failed to restore a non-functioning OD to operation. If you ordered an internal dust filter, this is the time to install it (after the OD cleaning, if you intend to clean the OD. Installation instructions are included with the filter.)
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Now, you start reassembling the cube. Take the middle section and wipe it with the damp cloth to clean it, then dry it with the dry cloth. Then gently place it on the grooves visible on the bottom of the cube, and gently slide it back into the cube. It should click into place when it is all the way in. If it does not, make sure that the two holes near the bottom screw holes of the middle section are aligned with the pins of the cube, and then push a little harder (and perhaps tip the cube forward a bit), until it clicks. Replace the two screws at the bottom with the NeXT tool. Next, take the mother board and slide it in along its grooves about 3/4 of the way. Reconnect the OD cable (and the hard drive cable, if you have one) being very careful 	NOT	 to bend any pins, to the mother board, and then slide the board the rest of the way in, until it clicks into place. Take the back panel, reconnect the cord to the fan, and the replace the panel. Replace the four screws with the NeXT tool. Using the damp cloth, wipe the outside of the cube. Dry with the dry cloth. Then reconnect all the cables at the back, and you are done.

	Cleaning the Optical Drive -- Radical method

Warning:	 Although this method definitely gets the OD cleaner than the easy method, it does require a good deal of complicated, and possibly difficult, disassembly. There is also more risk of damage, should you make a mistake. This method is only recommended for those who are confident in their ability to take apart the NeXT and put it back together.

In addition to the tools for cleaning the cube, you will need:

		a Phillips screwdriver
		a pair of needle-nose pliers

Place the OD right side up on the towel (this is the side with the sticker and with four screws on top forming a rhomboid, rather than a rectangle as on the other side). Using the Phillips screwdriver, remove the four screws on top of the OD, and then lift the front up and back all the way. Prop it in this position (the NeXT tool is quite useful for this), being careful as it has a tendency to snap shut. Be very careful 	NOT	 to touch any of the components attached to the top. Take a Q-tip and remove dust by gently rotating it. (	NOTE:	 As with the easy method, the Q-tips should be completely dry.) Change Q-tips as they become dirty, and make sure to get between the cables at the back (although, again, do not touch the components on the top.)

When you have finished removing the dust, lower the top most of the way,
re-attach the 5-pin connector to the top and the 3-pin connector to the bottom
(do this very gently, being careful 	NOT	 to bend the pins). Close the top and replace the four screws using the Phillips screwdriver. Then turn the OD over again, and lift the top back up (again propping it open so that it does not snap shut). Pull out the ribbon cables. Slide each tab over the appropriate ribbon cable
(size will make it obvious which tabs and cables go together), and then carefully push each cable back into its slot, until there is no silver metal showing. Then gently push the tabs back in. Again, do 	NOT	 touch the circuit board on top. Close the lid, making sure that the ribbon cables are inside, and replace the four screws with the Phillips screwdriver.

At this point, put the middle section back on the towel, again with the front facing toward you. Wipe the top of the power supply (at the bottom of the middle section) with the damp cloth to remove fingerprints. Then dry with the dry cloth. Then slide the OD back into the middle section. Again with your finger inside the OD entrance, move the OD until the front screw hole in the OD is aligned with the front hole marked ``O''. Then replace the front screw using the NeXT tool. Now repeat this process for the front screw on the other side. Then replace the rear screw on each side. Reconnect the power cable (4-pin connector) and the rectangular cable to the back of the OD (again, do 	NOT	 bend the pins.) Now, you should reassemble the cube, as described under ``Cleaning the Cube''. (If you have an internal dust filter, you will probably want to install it before reassembling the cube.)
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Disclaimer: Cleaning the NeXT or installing filters is potentially hazardous and may void your warranty. With this understanding we do not accept any responsibility, financial or otherwise for any damages or injury that may result from the above instructions or installation and use of our filters.  Although we ourselves use the above cleaning methods and have attempted to make the instructions as explicit and accurate as possible and we have extensively tested our filters, we cannot guarantee you will have the same successful results.
Td[t33[l5h,8Sl;bCBN,Ei,I,Kh,ON,PDU[rst of the dust buildup. It also has the advantage of not requiring a major disassembly of the cube and, because of its simplicity, it is highly unlikely that anything will go wrong. This method can also be used on the partially disassembled cube when cleaning the cube (described below), at which time you will have a slightly better view into the drive.

	Cleaning the Cube	

We will pamphet.wn   666  35676     13       54164  4571406021   6225 X!0GhGdG`GpGl	2!99dHHdddbbq'uXtXtXt2!0F F$F(FF	
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Getting Dust Out Of Your NeXT


Z
Z0A Guide to Cleaning Dusty Optical Drives and                                 		Other Cube Innards
-Z
Z0Before installing the filter, you will probably wish to clean the optical drive, as it undoubtedly has accumulated quite a bit of dust. You will definitely wish to clean the OD if it has failed due to dust buildup. You will also probably wish to clean the inside of the cube, as dust accumulates there as well. This pamphlet describes two methods -- one fairly simple, the other more radical -- for cleaning the OD, and the way to clean the inside of the cube in general.
Z
Z0
Cleaning the Optical Drive -- Easy method

You will need:
Z
Z@0		
		a flashlight
		several (probably at least 10) long (~8 in.) Q-tips
		a pen

Insert the pen in the optical drive door about 1/2 in., until the door flap is wedged open. Angle the flashlight so that you can see all the way into the drive. Insert a Q-tip in the door and remove any dust you see by rotating the Q-tip gently. (NOTE: the Q-tips should be entirely dry, not soaked in water or alcohol.)  Change Q-tips as they become dirty. When you have removed most of the visible dust, locate the laser platform, a black rectangle behind the silver, round spinner mechanism. Using a clean Q-tip, rotate as before, GENTLY touching the laser platform to remove the dust accumulated there. 


This method will remove the worst of the dust buildup. It also has the advantage of not requiring a major disassembly of the cube and, because of its simplicity, it is highly unlikely that anything will go wrong. This method can also be used on the partially disassembled cube when cleaning the cube (described below), at which time you will have a slightly better view into the drive.

Cleaning the Cube

We will describe cleaning the cube before discussing the second method of cleaning the optical drive, since both procedures require disassembly of the cube. 
Even though some disassembly is required, this procedure is not technically very demanding. Cleaning the cube is highly recommended for everyone.

You will need:

		for disassembly:
		a large clean towel
%
At this point, you may clean the OD, either by the easy method (just take the middle section, place it on the towel, and then follow the instructions given above) or by the radical method (described below). The radical cleaning is preferred if you desire a thorough cleaning of the OD, or if the easy method has failed to restore a non-functioning OD to operation. If you ordered an internal dust filter, this is the time to install it (after the OD cleaning, if you intend to clean the OD. Installation instructions are included with the filter.)

Cleaning the Optical Drive -- Radical method

Warning: Although this method definitely gets the OD cleaner than the easy method, it does require a good deal of complicated, and possibly difficult, disassembly. There is also more risk of damage, should you make a mistake. This method is only recommended for those who are confident in their ability to take apart the NeXT and put it back together.

In addition to the tools for cleaning the cube, you will need:

		a Phillips screwdriver
		a pair of needle-nose pliers
		a lot (probably around 30) regular Q-tips (long Q-tips are not needed)

Go through the disassembly described under ``Cleaning the Cube'' up to the point at which cleaning the OD is suggested. At that point, put the cube aside, and place the middle section, top side up and with the OD entrance facing you, on the towel. At the back of the middle section, disconnect the black power cable (on the left) and the black rectangular cable (on the right) from the optical drive. There will be two screws on either side of the OD, in holes marked ``O'' (for optical drive, as opposed to the H-hole for the hard drive). Remove the rear screw on each side using the NeXT tool. Then, insert two fingers in the OD entrance to support it (these four screws are what holds the OD up, so when they are all removed it will fall a bit unless it is supported.) Next, remove the front screws on either side, making sure that you do not let the OD drop. Then gently pull the OD out. Put the rest of the middle section aside for now.

Place the OD right side up on the towel (this is the side with the sticker and with four screws on top forming a rhomboid, rather than a rectangle as on the other side). Using the Phillips screwdriver, remove the four screws on top of the OD, and then lift the front up and back all the way. Prop it in this position (the NeXT tool is quite useful for this), being careful as it has a tendency to snap shut. Be very careful NOT to touch any of the components attached to the top. Take a Q-tip and remove dust by gently rotating it. (NOTE: As with the easy method, the Q-tips should be completely dry.) Change Q-tips as they become dirty, and make sure to get between the cables at the back (although, again, do not touch the components on the top.)
Z
After you have finished removing dust, you must disconnect two orange ribbon cables at the back left of the OD which connect the top to the bottom. Using the needle-nose pliers, gently pull out the two white tabs on these cables, then gently pull the ribbon cables out. Then slide the tabs off the ribbon cables. Put the 

These are the contents of the former NiCE NeXT User Group NeXTSTEP/OpenStep software archive, currently hosted by Netfuture.ch.