Laser help/question for noob

Hey, this is my first post and im a noob at lasers/electronics i mean i can solder but not much else. I hope im not breaking any rules but anyway...
Ok first, i took apart 2 drives from old comps. I know they had worked but i cant get them to work now, using 2 double AAA batteries in a circuit with a switch. I know the circuit works, I tested it on a motor. I want to know if i fried them, because i dont have any more cdrom drives. Also, I wanted to know if with lasers its possible to make it shoot like high power bursts instead of just a constant laser, or is that impossible/impractical. Any help appreciated. sorry if this is really long.

sure you can make it shoot bursts get a flex mod driver from Dr-lava. use the search function for flx mod driver.

CD drives have invisible infrared lasers to begin with, and you surely toasted them without a driver circuit to keep the current within the diodes allowable range.

Welcome to the forum,and use the search feature to do some research before any further experimenting is done.


Be sure to read the rules and stickies too.

I have included a handy guide to assist you in finding what you need.

to the Forum....

May I suggest.....

1) I would kiss your CD drives goodbye... you probably fried your Laser Diodes...
2) Read and learn about Laser Diodes and Laser Diode Drivers on the Forum..
3) the previous Posts state important things to consider..

Don't forget to read the Newcomers Section and the Forum Rules...
Enjoy your stay...

Jerry

Don't feel to bad about fryng your LD's. IR at that power is not worth the trouble.
Do some reading, then when you feel you are ready, order some parts from the Pro-shop or the B/S/T section here. $30 or so, (LOC/LCC/Rckstr, if you provide a host. IE:flashlight body,switch,batteries, for it.)
Then you can light matches,pop balloons,burn electrical tape, all that fun stuff.
Read all you can and make sure you understand it all.(even if you have to read it 100 times) and it will be much easier when you start.:wave:

And most of all, remember that some of these laser's even from a humble cd/dvd burner are able to output visible & invisible beams that can be lethal to your eyesight.

Read...read & read again, enjot your beams and let us know how you progress!