Recover a damaged CD - Index
Posted by Jan Willem on 16 March 2001
This is an article about recovering data of damaged CD's. You should be aware that we can't guarantee that these solutions will help, and that some solutions might even make it worse.
First make sure the surface is clean
First of all, if the CD is unreadable because of some fingerprints or some dust, then use a soft piece of cloth and rub from the inside to the outside of the CD.
If cleaning the CD with a piece of cloth doesn't fix the problem you have two choices, try to restore the data with software or you will have to physically restore the surface of the CD. Both have no guarantee to success, but it's worth to try. Since you have a worthless CD, there's nothing to lose !
Software solutions:
You first might want to try the software on CD-prod.com. They have to products that, as they say, are able to recover data from CD's.
CD-R Diagnostic allows you to test, examine and recover data from CD, CD-R and CD-RW discs. This includes support for discs written using Adaptec DirectCD and CeQuadrat PacketCD as well as other packet-writing programs.
It bypasses Windows and other CD software installed on your computer to allow complete freedom to examine nearly any CD, including Macintosh and audio discs.
Or their other product may be even better:
CD-R Inspector is similar to CD-R Diagnostic, but has additional features for data recovery companies and computer forensic applications. It allows searching the contents of a disc in several ways to identify various hidden content and supports saving the information from a disc that has been examined so the lengthy processing does not have to be repeated each time.
If you have used CD-R Diagnostic and wished for some additional capabilities, this may be what you are looking for.
Another piece of software that has been recommended to us by a CD recovery company is IsobusterThat is the program. It runs under Windows so it bypasses some of the Windows limitations.
Also the software from Naltech could help. They developed a program called CD Data Rescue which is able to recover some data, IF you are lucky.
Also CDRecovery and CD Dataguys might be places where they can offer you help. (CD dataguys say to have a success rate that is slightly above 90%)
Physical changes to make a CD readable again
You won't believe this, but the cheapest way is using toothpaste. The best toothpaste to make your CD readable again is the toothpaste to make your teeth brighter, cause this scrubs better. You should be able to buy this in your local drugstore. You will have to rub with some cloth from the inside to the outside of the CD, in the opposite direction of the read direction of the CD.
If you have a really deep and big scratch, then you could use polish that is used by opticains on glasses. You should go to your optician for more information about this substance.
How to Repair Scratched CDs
For the cost of one CD, you can repair many with a CD-repair kit'these work on audio CDs, CD-ROM discs and DVDs.
Steps:
1. Determine the nature of the problem. Turn over the CD and look first for a smudge (see "Clean CDs" under Related eHows). If you notice a scratch, however, continue on to step 2.
2. Buy a fluid-based CD scratch-repair kit. (Image 1)
3. Get a soft, lint-free cloth, such as one made for cleaning eyeglasses, if your scratch-repair kit doesn't come with cloths or swabs. (Image 2)
4. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Wipe across the CD, working from the inside out in straight lines. Never wipe in a circular pattern. (Image 3)
5. Repeat the process, if necessary.
click photos to enlarge
1.
2.
3.
Tips:
Use a cleaner rather than a repair kit if the scratches are minor but cause skipping or stopping.
Avoid using alcohol, abrasive cleaners, petroleum-based products, ammonia, commercial plastic cleaners or toothpaste, and avoid scrubbing, polishing or buffing.
If you experience problems when using a disc on other play-back units, try rerecording at a different speed.
Warnings:
Household cleaning products - including alcohol, abrasive cleaners, petroleum-based products, ammonia and commercial plastic cleaners - may harm CDs.
Scrubbing, polishing or buffing CDs may damage them.
Avoid home remedies that suggest using toothpaste. Toothpaste is a mild abrasive and acts as a light sandpaper. While it may sometimes buff out scratches, more often it will cause additional scratches.
Even a successful repair may still make it difficult for the laser to read the CD properly, resulting in lower sound quality.
RE: CD Question
Post by Suzanne S. (90) 2004-10-13
If you smoke you can use the ashes from a cigarette or cigar to gently clean the cd. Ashes are one of the cleanest things in the world (the military teaches POW's to clean their teeth with them if no toothpaste is available), and by wiping from the inside to out in strokes you also fill in the scratches for better listening.
RE: CD Question
SNAKEY (Guest Post) 2004-10-13
i found that if you use a expensive aftershave on you cd's and just give them a light rub over the top it shines and plays much better!
How can I clean a CD with hairspray on it?
amanda (Guest Post) 2004-05-28
Cleaning Tips
Post by admin2 (405) 2000-12-01
1. GENTLY wash CD with weak detergent, from edge to middle (NEVER CIRCULAR!) with soft kitchen or paper towel. 2. Dry from edge to middle with towel. 3. Here's the science bit --- Put a TINY spot of non-fluoride toothpaste (yes really!) on to towel and gently rub from edge to middle again. 4. Using a clean piece of towel buff in same direction.
The toothpaste helps to gently 'iron' out the scratches.
Da Da. A rejuvenated CD.
Also works well on 'skipping' tracks CD's.
Simple, cheap, effective and a little bit clever don't you think?
Margarete
CD cleaner
Post by admin2 (405) 2000-12-01
Best way - buy a CD cleaner at the store. Worst way - trying to clean the CD like you used to clean LPs.
Yes, I realize that actually having to spend $10-20 on a CD cleaning kit is not the "thrifty" way, but consider how much you've already invested in the CDs and the CD players. What's another few bucks? Trying to clean a CD using the same manner as you probably used to clean LPs will only damage the CD. In comparison, LPs were a lot more durable (to a degree).
Christine
Pledge
For cleaning CD's spray a little Pledge furniture polish and wipe with a clean, dry, soft cloth. I saw this method at a CD store and have used it myself.
Manny
Posted by Jan Willem on 16 March 2001
This is an article about recovering data of damaged CD's. You should be aware that we can't guarantee that these solutions will help, and that some solutions might even make it worse.
First make sure the surface is clean
First of all, if the CD is unreadable because of some fingerprints or some dust, then use a soft piece of cloth and rub from the inside to the outside of the CD.
If cleaning the CD with a piece of cloth doesn't fix the problem you have two choices, try to restore the data with software or you will have to physically restore the surface of the CD. Both have no guarantee to success, but it's worth to try. Since you have a worthless CD, there's nothing to lose !
Software solutions:
You first might want to try the software on CD-prod.com. They have to products that, as they say, are able to recover data from CD's.
CD-R Diagnostic allows you to test, examine and recover data from CD, CD-R and CD-RW discs. This includes support for discs written using Adaptec DirectCD and CeQuadrat PacketCD as well as other packet-writing programs.
It bypasses Windows and other CD software installed on your computer to allow complete freedom to examine nearly any CD, including Macintosh and audio discs.
Or their other product may be even better:
CD-R Inspector is similar to CD-R Diagnostic, but has additional features for data recovery companies and computer forensic applications. It allows searching the contents of a disc in several ways to identify various hidden content and supports saving the information from a disc that has been examined so the lengthy processing does not have to be repeated each time.
If you have used CD-R Diagnostic and wished for some additional capabilities, this may be what you are looking for.
Another piece of software that has been recommended to us by a CD recovery company is IsobusterThat is the program. It runs under Windows so it bypasses some of the Windows limitations.
Also the software from Naltech could help. They developed a program called CD Data Rescue which is able to recover some data, IF you are lucky.
Also CDRecovery and CD Dataguys might be places where they can offer you help. (CD dataguys say to have a success rate that is slightly above 90%)
Physical changes to make a CD readable again
You won't believe this, but the cheapest way is using toothpaste. The best toothpaste to make your CD readable again is the toothpaste to make your teeth brighter, cause this scrubs better. You should be able to buy this in your local drugstore. You will have to rub with some cloth from the inside to the outside of the CD, in the opposite direction of the read direction of the CD.
If you have a really deep and big scratch, then you could use polish that is used by opticains on glasses. You should go to your optician for more information about this substance.
How to Repair Scratched CDs
For the cost of one CD, you can repair many with a CD-repair kit'these work on audio CDs, CD-ROM discs and DVDs.
Steps:
1. Determine the nature of the problem. Turn over the CD and look first for a smudge (see "Clean CDs" under Related eHows). If you notice a scratch, however, continue on to step 2.
2. Buy a fluid-based CD scratch-repair kit. (Image 1)
3. Get a soft, lint-free cloth, such as one made for cleaning eyeglasses, if your scratch-repair kit doesn't come with cloths or swabs. (Image 2)
4. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Wipe across the CD, working from the inside out in straight lines. Never wipe in a circular pattern. (Image 3)
5. Repeat the process, if necessary.
click photos to enlarge
1.
2.
3.
Tips:
Use a cleaner rather than a repair kit if the scratches are minor but cause skipping or stopping.
Avoid using alcohol, abrasive cleaners, petroleum-based products, ammonia, commercial plastic cleaners or toothpaste, and avoid scrubbing, polishing or buffing.
If you experience problems when using a disc on other play-back units, try rerecording at a different speed.
Warnings:
Household cleaning products - including alcohol, abrasive cleaners, petroleum-based products, ammonia and commercial plastic cleaners - may harm CDs.
Scrubbing, polishing or buffing CDs may damage them.
Avoid home remedies that suggest using toothpaste. Toothpaste is a mild abrasive and acts as a light sandpaper. While it may sometimes buff out scratches, more often it will cause additional scratches.
Even a successful repair may still make it difficult for the laser to read the CD properly, resulting in lower sound quality.
RE: CD Question
Post by Suzanne S. (90) 2004-10-13
If you smoke you can use the ashes from a cigarette or cigar to gently clean the cd. Ashes are one of the cleanest things in the world (the military teaches POW's to clean their teeth with them if no toothpaste is available), and by wiping from the inside to out in strokes you also fill in the scratches for better listening.
RE: CD Question
SNAKEY (Guest Post) 2004-10-13
i found that if you use a expensive aftershave on you cd's and just give them a light rub over the top it shines and plays much better!
How can I clean a CD with hairspray on it?
amanda (Guest Post) 2004-05-28
Cleaning Tips
Post by admin2 (405) 2000-12-01
1. GENTLY wash CD with weak detergent, from edge to middle (NEVER CIRCULAR!) with soft kitchen or paper towel. 2. Dry from edge to middle with towel. 3. Here's the science bit --- Put a TINY spot of non-fluoride toothpaste (yes really!) on to towel and gently rub from edge to middle again. 4. Using a clean piece of towel buff in same direction.
The toothpaste helps to gently 'iron' out the scratches.
Da Da. A rejuvenated CD.
Also works well on 'skipping' tracks CD's.
Simple, cheap, effective and a little bit clever don't you think?
Margarete
CD cleaner
Post by admin2 (405) 2000-12-01
Best way - buy a CD cleaner at the store. Worst way - trying to clean the CD like you used to clean LPs.
Yes, I realize that actually having to spend $10-20 on a CD cleaning kit is not the "thrifty" way, but consider how much you've already invested in the CDs and the CD players. What's another few bucks? Trying to clean a CD using the same manner as you probably used to clean LPs will only damage the CD. In comparison, LPs were a lot more durable (to a degree).
Christine
Pledge
For cleaning CD's spray a little Pledge furniture polish and wipe with a clean, dry, soft cloth. I saw this method at a CD store and have used it myself.
Manny
damn i had a prob with a game i rentd i could tell the fool who ever ruind the disc used a fuckin toothbrush or somethin that makes about a million real small scratches on it an then i tired cleaning it an i just made it even worse lol my ps2 nor my pc dvd drive would read the shit oh well fuck it....probably couldve been fixd by one of those things yall mentiond