Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve got questions and we’ve got answers. If we get contacted with a question more than a couple of times a week we add it here. That way you can get some help if we happen to be asleep when you need it. And don’t blame us for being asleep if it’s 2:30 in the morning!
How Allsop Can Help With...
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What stores in my area sell Allsop products?| | We’ve been around for 40 years, and our products are available all over the world. But before you run out the door, check with your local stores to see what they have. Unfortunately, not all of our products are carried at every store. Check here to find a retailer, or call us at 1-800-426-4303. All of our products are also for sale on this very web site.
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How can I get an Allsop catalog?| | We don’t produce a consumer catalog. Our web site is easier and less expensive to keep up to date, which benefits both of us. Plus we can put way more information here, so feel free to go shopping.
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What are my payment options to order from Allsop.com?| | Since we don't think you should pay for your order until it is actually on its way, we won’t bill you until your products actually ship.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Make sure you provide your exact billing address and telephone number (the address and phone number your credit card company has on file for you). Incorrect information may cause a delay in processing your order.
We also accept personal checks, company checks, cashier's checks and money orders. But this is a little more involved. First, place an online order, then print a copy of your order confirmation and mail it with your check or money order to:
Allsop, Inc.
P.O. Box 23
Bellingham, WA 98227
Attn: Accounts Receivable
Please write your order number on the check.
We process your order within a business day after we receive your money order or cashier's check.
For personal and company checks, we process your order after the funds clear. Please allow up to 10 banking days after receipt for clearance of funds.
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Why do the instructions for the Laser Lens Cleaner say the cleaning brushes are on track two, but then tell me to skip track two in the cleaning process?| | The cleaning brushes are located on track two, however the cleaning process only takes seconds. The laser lens is cleaned as the laser passes from track one, over track two, and on to track three. You do not need to play track two. Simply insert the CD, press play and fast advance to track three. Done.
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Are refills still available for my Allsop Audio Cleaner?| | Yes. You may order them directly from us. The refill includes three sets of replacement pads and solution.
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Can you send me a catalog?| | Allsop does not produce consumer catalogs. To see a complete listing of our products, along with detailed product information, visit the products secion of our web site.
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How often should I clean my audio/video equipment?| | This depends on how often and how much you use your equipment. It is best to consult your equipment owner's manual or the manufacturer of your electronics components.
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Is it OK to use rubbing alcohol instead of the Allsop Ultreen Solution?| | Yes, but not on a regular basis. Alcohol evaporates quickly and can have a drying effect on the rubber and plastic components of your electronics. Ultreen is a mixture that is less drying and better for your equipment. If you have run out of Ultreen, you can order more from Allsop, but there is a chance that your audio/video cleaner needs to be replaced.
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How many times can I rewind my Video Head Cleaner?| | Once. The cleaning tape should only be used twice to effectively clean your video equipment.
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How do I clean my Glare Screen?| | When the glare screen is dirty (dust, shiny specs, ets.) it should be wiped with a very soft, chamois-like cloth or cotton t-shirt. If it will not come clean by wiping with a dry cloth, it can be run under tepid water and cleaned with a very mild dish liquid. Do not use a window cleaner or alcohol wipe.
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What do I do with the wire/clip that is attached to my glare screen?| | The clip is a grounding wire that should be attached to something metal that is grounded. A screw at the back of your computer system (not the monitor) works best. This helps to dissipate static, which will reduce dust build-up on your screen.
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Am I able to use the DiscID CD-R Label Kit on my Apple Computer?| | Yes. Download the Mac Templates here.
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What is causing my CD or DVD to skip?| | There are several possible reasons that a CD or DVD might skip. A skip happens when something interferes with the laser from your disc player (CD Player, DVD Player, Game Player or computer) and the data contained on the disc. The problem will lie in one of two places: the disc player and/or the disc.
If your disc player is the problem, you will experience skipping or other problems with multiple discs. For example, if it seems that a lot of your CDs are suddenly skipping, the problem is probably with the disc player and not your discs. Try using one of Allsop's Laser Lens Cleaners to clean and protect the performance of your electronics.
If you have a disc that is skipping on multiple players, there is something wrong with your disc. Problems range from things as simple as a build up of debris or fingerprints to more serious damage like abrasions and scratches. These types of surface damage prevent your disc player’s laser from reflecting off of the CD correctly, which can cause the CD to skip or sometimes stop all together. Use the Allsop Disc Restore scratch repair system to return your disc to like-new performance.
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It looks like there are a lot of scratches on my CD. Do I have to fix them all?| | No. It is common to have several small marks and lines on a CD. These will happen from everyday use. Most of these marks will not hinder playback of a CD, DVD, Game Disc or CD-ROM. If your disc is skipping, first try cleaning it with a clean dry cloth. (Allsop CD Cleaner, Microfibre Cloth, etc.) If it still skips, look for the most severe scratches. These would be long, deep, wide or jagged.
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I have tried to fix this scratch, but I can still see it. What now?| | Test it in your player. Usually, this is OK. The proof is in the performance. If the disc now works, you have done enough. Simply because a scratch is visible to you does not mean it will cause the disc to fail.
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How do I know if my disc is fixable?| | There are two tests you can perform to learn if the damage is too severe to fix.
The Light Test: While looking at the data/reflective side of your disc, hold it up to a bright light. If you can see light through the disc in tiny holes or scratches, that scratch is irreparable. The scratch has punctured the aluminum layer of the disc so a laser will no longer reflect correctly.
Reflection test: A repairable scratch will have a slight reflection in the disc. Take a close look at your disc. While focusing on a scratch, tilt the disc slightly and look to see if you can see a reflection of the scratch deeper in the disc. If you see the reflection, the scratch is repairable. If not, the scratch is deep enough to have damaged the aluminum layer of the disc and is not repairable.
But Wait! Don’t throw your discs away yet. The location of the scratch is important. Use the Disc Scratch Locator (Included in Allsop's Disc Restore) to find out if the scratch is in an area of the disc that contains data. If the scratch is in an area not storing data, the scratch will not affect playback. For example, if you have a CD containing 60 minutes of music, and a scratch is in the 70 minute area, that is not the scratch causing your problems. Keep looking.
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Why does the finishing pad leave lint on my disc?| | The finishing pad is made from 100% virgin wool. The process of polishing the repaired area will leave a small amount of lint on your disc, but this will not affect your disc's performance. To remove the lint, use one of the microfibre cloths included in the Disc Restore system.
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I used the Precision Polisher and it left a big hazy area on my disc. How do I fix it?| | The haze is a result of the repair process. In fixing your disc, the Precision Polisher will remove some of the plastic from your CD and leave a slight haze. The square finishing pad, included in the Disc Restore system, will remove the haze and prepare your disc for playback.
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Why does the Precision Polisher stop when I am repairing a disc?| | The Precision Polisher is equipped with a safety feature to protect your disc from too much pressure. To protect your disc the Precision Polisher will turn off it you press too hard. The repair process requires only light pressure.
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What is a disc made of?| | A compact disc is comprised of four layers of material. The thickest part of a disc is a polycarbonate base; it is what you see if you look at the data or read side of a disc. It takes the brunt of exposure and abuse sometimes resulting in skip -causing abrasions and scratches. The next layer is aluminum. This layer serves to reflect the laser of a CD or DVD player. If the aluminum layer of your disc is damaged it is not repairable. On top of the aluminum is a protective layer of acrylic resin. Finally the top of the disc is the printed layer that includes any text, such as song titles, or graphics.
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Why does the scratched area of my disc get so hot when I am repairing it?| | Too much friction is building up because you are not using enough water with the Precision Polisher. It is imperative that you use water with the Precision Polisher. Failure to use enough water will cause some of the material on the disc to melt. This can be irreparable.
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I have tried to repair my disc with Disc Restore, but the problem is worse than before. What do I do now?| | This will sometimes happen when more water is needed in the repair process. Using the Precision Polisher creates a lot of friction heat. This heat can melt some of the disc material, which will cause laser reflection problems. Usually this can be repaired. Go through the repair process again using more water. It is better to use too much water, than not enough.
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Do CD and DVD players require maintenance?| | In a word … Yes. Electronics components are not air tight. Hair, dust and other airbourne contaminents can settle on the laser lens and interfere with the laser transfer process. These are delicate components that should not be cleaned by hand. Allsop’s laser lens cleaners are designed to gently brush away debris from the laser lens. Allsop offers several solutions to help you maintain the performance of all of your laser lens drives.
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Why don't all of the holes underneath my Underdesk Keyboard Drawer line up?| | It is not required to have all of the holes to line up. Insert screws in the four outer-most holes to support the drawer.
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Why don't the locking tabs on my drawer slides work?| | This is a common problem resulting from the tabs being bent in to far. To fix, pull the drawer completely out and slightly bend the tabs out. Test the drawer and adjust as needed.
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From what materials are Allsop Mousepads made? | | The non-slip base is neoprene. The mousing surfce is made from Polyester.
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I just used Allsop's Drive Clean and now my computer says "Disk Unreadable" and asks if I want to format it? What do I do?| | Your computer has made an attempt to read the cleaning disk. In doing so, the cleaning fabric has come into contact with the read/write head and the cleaning process has taken place. The "disk unreadable" message is the result. Simply eject the cleaning disk and select cancel in the message window.
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How does a Laser Lens Cleaner work?| | The cleaning brushes on the underside of the disc are placed during track two. When the laser lens passes track two, the brushes gently whisk away any hair or dust that may have built up on the lens. The entire cleaing process takes only a few seconds.
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Why does my computer not rest evenly in my CPU Caddy?| | The alignment of the wing nuts on the inside of the CPU may affect the placement of your CPU. If the wing nuts are perpendicular to your CPU, they may block your CPU from resting evenly in the CPU Caddy. To correct this, turn the wing nuts slightly until the CPU has enough room.
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Do Allsop Glare Screens block radiation?| | Allsop offers four different Vision Guard Glare Screens. Three of the four (Models 23147, 27040 and 25831) block up to 99 percent of ELF and VLF radiation emitted by computer monitors, while also reducing glare to prevent eye strain.
The more economical VisionGuard (Model 23146) does not block radiation. It is designed to reduce glare.
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What do I do with the wire/clip that is attached to my glare screen?| | The clip is a grounding wire that can help reduce static and dust build up on your screen. Attach it to something metal that’s electrically grounded. A screw on the back of your computer system (not the monitor) works best.
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How do I clean my MousePad?| | Please ... do not soak it. Don’t put it in your dishwasher, washing machine or dryer. Our fabric MousePads can be cleaned with a damp cloth. If it’s really dirty, use a little dish soap and let it air dry. If you have one of our Hardtop or Accutrack MousePads, just wipe them clean with a damp cloth.
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Why should I get an ergonomic MousePad?| | Ergonomics is very important to take into consideration whenever you work or play at a computer. It is a way to keep your wrists, hands or fingers from getting sore while you are using a computer. Using ergonomic products can ease strain while you work and ultimately help reduce repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Our MousePad Pro is designed with a raised wrist rest and a large round mousing area. The Wrist Rest is kind of like one of those TempurPedic Beds, but for your wrist. It keeps your hand and wrist in a more natural position while using your mouse. The memory foam conforms and adjusts to the contours of your wrist to relieve stress on pressure points. And it retains body heat to improve blood circulation.
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How can I safely mail a disc?| | Mailing discs is a safe and reliable way to exchange large amounts of data/music. We have several options to protect the disc in transit:
Good - Jewel cases are the industry standard of CD storage. The vast majority of store-bought CDs and CD-ROMs are packaged in Jewel Cases. These cases can safely be mailed, but are relatively easy to crack or break.
Better - Slimline jewel cases are similar to Jewel Cases, but are half the thickness. These are easier to mail, since they take less space. Even though they’re made from the same material as standard jewel cases, they are less susceptible to cracking because they are so thin.
Best - The CD Twin Pack is as slender as a Slimline jewel case, but can hold one or two CDs. It is made from polypropylene, so it won’t break. It offers great protection for CDs and is ideal for mailing.
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How should I clean my discs?| | Discs are easy to clean, but it’s important to clean them in the correct way. The best – nay, the only way to clean your discs is to move in straight lines from the inside edge to the outside edge. Imagine, if you will, a clock. Now put your finger in the middle of the clock and move in a straight line to the number 12. Then go back to the middle and move in a straight line to the number one. Back to the middle and out to the number two... This is called a radial motion. Never, ever, ever wipe in a circular motion around the disc. Always use a clean, lint-free material, like one of the following:
Good - FastWipes are a soft, lint-free and disposable cloth. Use the wipes until they look dirty, then throw away.
Better - MicroFibre Cloths are optical-quality synthetic chamois. They are tightly woven, durable cloths that can be washed if they get dirty. These are great for cleaning CDs, since they’re safe to use on any delicate surface.
Best - The Allsop CD/DVD Cleaner uses a gear system to clean the entire surface of a disc. Incorporating Allsop's patented Ultreen liquid solution, the CD/DVD Cleaner’s brush wipes the disc in a radial motion from the inside edge to the outside edge.
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What’s the difference between your Laser Lens Cleaners?| | We have a full line of Laser Lens cleaners. Following is a quick and easy breakdown:
Good – The Allsop Lens Cleaner uses a series of eight brushes in a staggered format to perform a helical scan. This allows the eight independent strands to act as one to swath the entire surface of the laser lens in one pass. We include voice instructions on the disc so you know when it is done cleaning.
Better – The Allsop ProLens Cleaner uses the same eight brush system above, but includes 11 stereo sound checks. This will allow you to set the levels on your audio system to best perform in its surroundings.
Best – The Allsop Ultra ProLens Cleaner uses carbon fiber technology to dissipate and reduce future build up of static in the cleaning process. Incorporating the eight-brush cleaning process and system checks above, the Ultra ProLens Cleaner works to protect the most delicate electronics components.
Note: The CD-ROM Cleaner can only be used in your computer. Don’t try it in your DVD or CD player. It’s won’t work.
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What’s the difference between your VCR cleaners?| | It’s smart to regularly clean your VCR tape heads. I’m proud of you. Tape oxides and dust can cause a fuzzy picture and muffled sound, and contaminants can build up causing uneven tape travel and damaged tape. Allsop invented the VCR cleaner, and we have two options to satisfy your needs:
Better – 3-in-1 VCR Cleaner uses a wet tape system to clean the three most vital parts of the VCR system: the Head Drum, the Pinch Roller and the Capstan. Using our Ultreen cleaning solution, this system breaks down and removes stubborn contaminants to restore the performance of your VCR.
Best – 4-in-1 VCR Cleaner uses a similar system as above, but incorporates a SoftSweep brush to further clean the Video Heads and Rotary Drum. This simultaneous wet and dry cleaning system completely removes debris from the heads and the tape path.
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What’s the difference between your audiocassette headcleaners?| | It’s smart to regularly clean your cassette tape decks. I’m proud of you. Tape oxides and dust cling to the deck’s components causing muffled sound and potential damage. Here is a breakdown of Allsop headcleaners:
Better – The Allsop Pro Audio Cleaner uses a patented Z-wiper tension arm to clean the entire tape head. Using Ultreen cleaning solution, three additional pads clean all other drive mechanisms.
Best – The Ultra Pro Audio Cleaner uses the same Z-wiper tension arm above, but uses five cleaning pads to clean all other drive mechanisms. The kit also includes replacement pads and a convenient storage case.
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What do I do if I run out of Ultreen Solution?| | The amount of Ultreen provided with our cleaners is roughly enough to last the life of the cleaning tape. When you run out of Ultreen, it might be a good time to start thinking about buying a new cleaner. In the meantime, you have some options:
Good – You can run the tape dry. Just pretend that you put some Ultreen on the pads and use it like before. Don’t do this more than a couple of times. A wet cleaning will remove debris better.
Better – Go ahead and use a little rubbing alcohol. Again, don’t do this on a regular basis, because alcohol evaporates quickly and can have a drying effect on the rubber and plastic components of your electronics. Use a cotton swab to apply the alcohol and use it sparingly. This is a case of less is more. You’ll also want to make sure you give your unit 15 minutes or so to dry before you play or record a tape.
Best – Buy some more Ultreen. We offer a 2-oz. replacement bottle of Ultreen here. Ultreen is a non-toxic mixture that is less drying and better for your equipment.
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How do I clean my records/albums?| | Allsop has produced the award-winning Orbitrac 2 record cleaning system for more than 20 years. It’s designed to allow you to clean your records on or off the turntable. Using a specially formulated vinyl cleaning solution and soft, but durable cleaning pads, it’s the safest and most-effective way to clean and protect your record albums. Click here for more information.
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How should I clean my desktop/notebook monitor?| | We have several options for you to clean your desktop or laptop monitor.
Good - Clear View Wipes are premoistented non-abrasive cloths for a one-step cleaning. These cloths dry quickly, are streak free and reduce static build up.
Better - Clear Scan is a CFC-free spray designed to effectively clean monitors, scanners and copiers. Simply spray this formula on your monitor and wipe with a clean lint-free cloth. This formula is not recommended for Laptop monitors.
Best - Clear View Gel stays where it sprays. This anti-static gel formula sprays onto monitors, laptops and PDA. Simply wipe clean with a lint-free cloth.
Our MicroFibre Cloth is a great accessory to keep with all of your electronics. It’s soft, durable and lint-free, so it’s perfect for cleaning sensitive electronics. It’s also an ideal companion to any of the above cleaning solutions.
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Are Slick Skins safe to use on my iPod?| | When used under normal circumstances, Slick Skins will protect your iPod from most minor scratches and scuffs, while being completely removable from an iPod body. However, Slick Skins cannot prevent all damage. As with most things electronic, such as the iPod itself, it advised that you protect Slick Skins from:
- Exposure to extreme heat (113 Degrees Fahrenheit qualifies as extreme)
- Exposure to extreme cold (-4 Degrees Fahrenheit is quite cold)
- Sudden impacts (dropping it on the concrete as you step out of the car)
- Household mishaps (Say, dousing your iPod with weed killer or dish soap…)
These are not the only things you’re advised to protect your iPod and Slick Skin from, but you get the idea.
We do extensive testing during the production process of our Slick Skins to ensure a quality product makes it into your hands (moisture resistance, ink adherence, adhesive consistency…). After all of this testing, the likelihood that the Slick Skin's vinyl co-polymer material and the low-tack removable adhesive will damage your iPod is slight. However, if you feel our product has done irreparable damage to your iPod, let us know. If it's our fault and we can’t fix it, we’ll replace it.
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Why do my screen and surface wipes feel dry?| | The amount of fluid on the screen and surface wipes is designed to clean with maximum efficiency while keeping your screen safe from excess liquid damaging sensitive electronics. Make sure you close your screen and surface wipes container securely when you are not using it to prevent evaporation.
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