Many of us have moved on from saving photos and files on CDs to different options, including USB drives and cloud storage. Previous backups or saved files remain on this media, however, and discs are still a cheap, easy option for some. Unlike saving on a USB, the option to save in read only format is another draw for some users who use CDs and DVDs as their storage method of choice. Disc media has its potential strengths, including an unexpected immunity to executable files, but they also have one significant weakness: They are easily scratched and damaged.
Minor damage caused by improper handling can be seen in fingerprints that may bloc a disc reading from reading the surface of the disc. If you’re having trouble gaining access to a scratched or damaged CD, here are 5 ways to try to recover your data:
Try a Different CD or DVD
Just as discs are getting older, most disc drives are as well. Many of the leading laptops no longer even come with a disc drive. Make sure the problem is with your disc and not your drive by training one or a few other discs in the drive. If these other discs work, you’ve confirmed there is a problem with your damaged disc.
Clean the Disc
Dirt, dust, and oil build-up on a disc can sometimes give the misleading appearance of a scratch. Gently wash the disc under warm water as you softly rub it with your finger while washing. If you’d rather avoid water, you can use alcohol with a cotton swab to clean your disc. Always rub the disc in a radial motion. Let it air dry.
Polish the Disc
Be careful with this and all strategies that involve touching your disc. They should only be used in a last resort and carried out with caution. Some people have reported success in using a small amount of toothpaste and a soft cloth to polish a disc. No need to scrub the CD. Just rub it gently in a radial motion until you wipe it off completely.
Try Data Recovery Software
SecureRecovery for CD-DVD is a windows application that walks users through recovery with an easy-to-understand interface. Run the application, view what files are on your CD (even if they are not readable), and copy them to another location. The software features a try-it before you buy it functionality that lets you view the files before committing to buying a licence.
Seek Professional Help
If you’ve tried DIY recovery strategies and/or your data is too important to risk further loss, let the professionals at Secure Data Recovery lend a hand. Our team is skilled at recovering media, even after it has incurred physical damage. Fill out an Online Help form today for a free quote, a media analysis, and an estimate of how long it will take to recover your data.
Laura Bednar is a content writer for Secure Data. She writes blogs about trends in technology and budding privacy laws in the digital age. She also creates content for web pages and marketing materials for company products.
FAQs
If you're having trouble gaining access to a scratched or damaged CD, here are 5 ways to try to recover your data:
- Try a Different CD or DVD. Just as discs are getting older, most disc drives are as well. ...
- Clean the Disc. ...
- Polish the Disc. ...
- Try Data Recovery Software. ...
- Seek Professional Help.
Copy Contents of CD to Folder on Desktop
- Put the CD into your drive and cancel installation if it starts.
- Go to START > (My) Computer. ...
- Right-click the CD/DVD ROM drive and choose Open or Explore. ...
- Press CTRL+A on your keyboard to select all the files. ...
- Press CTRL+C on your keyboard to copy the files and folders.
The LONG version of our data recovery process:
- Getting started. Learn the price for your data recovery using our Rate Calculator. ...
- We inventory your device. ...
- Diagnostic analysis. ...
- Revive the device. ...
- Pre-configuration. ...
- Clone the device. ...
- Logically inspect the clone. ...
- Extract data.
As with scratches on the laser-reading side, optical disc drives are usually able to read through minor damage easily, even if the damage is caused from the label side. The difference is that this damage is permanent.
Is it even possible to recover data from damaged disks? ›
If the failure is logical, such as due to corrupted files or a damaged file system, you can potentially recover files at home using data recovery software. However, if the failure is physical, such as from a damaged disk or mechanical failure, home recovery is not feasible.
How do you make a damaged CD work? ›
Toothpaste Method
Make sure to use non-abrasive toothpaste, such as baking soda toothpaste, and rinse the disc thoroughly with water when you're done. The mild abrasive action of the toothpaste will help to remove the surface layer of the scratch and restore the disc's reflectivity.
What are the 5 steps of data? ›
It's a five-step framework to analyze data. The five steps are: 1) Identify business questions, 2) Collect and store data, 3) Clean and prepare data, 4) Analyze data, and 5) Visualize and communicate data.
What are the 5 stages of recovery describe? ›
The five stages of addiction recovery are precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance. Read on to find out more about the various stages.
What are the 5 steps of service recovery? ›
Top 5 Service Recovery Strategies to Improve Guest Experience
- Anticipate and empathize with the needs of the customer. ...
- Acknowledge your customer's feelings. ...
- Take responsibility and apologize. ...
- Offer alternatives or solutions for their problem. ...
- Make amends through follow-up.
- Sell Them Online. Like DVDs, you can sell CDs online. ...
- Sell Them In Person. Your local record store may be interested in purchasing your old CDs. ...
- Donate Them to Charity. ...
- Upcycling. ...
- Recycling CDs. ...
- Find Specialized Disposal Services. ...
- A Note to Music Fans. ...
- If In Doubt, Digitalize First.
Depending on the CD, banks usually charge early withdrawal penalties on either your total original deposit or the amount you withdraw early. Then, they'll use that figure to determine the penalty, which is generally a set number of days' or months' interest. Banks may also set a minimum penalty.
What side of CD contains data? ›
In CDs, the data and metal layers are very close to the top of the disc (label side); in DVDs, they are in the middle of the disc (see Figures 1Ð6). The types of data and metal layers used depend on the type of disc-read-only (ROM), write-once (R), or rewritable (RW, RAM).
How do I recover data from a bad disk? ›
How to Recover Data from a Dead Hard Drive with Software
- Create a bootable disk. Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, choose "Crashed PC" and click "Go to Recover". ...
- Boot your computer from the bootable USB. ...
- Recover data from a crashed system/PC.
If the disc has errors, it may be possible to repair the disc and recover the photos. If the disc is severely damaged or unreadable, it may not be possible to recover the photos.
Can you salvage a cracked CD? ›
If you use audio CDs in your small business, a cracked CD doesn't necessarily mean that you've lost its contents forever: using a little ingenuity, you can repair the crack long enough for you to copy the CD's information to a fresh disc.
What happens when a CD is ripped? ›
When you rip music from a CD, you're copying songs from an audio CD to your PC. During the ripping process, the Player compresses each song and stores it on your drive as a Windows Media Audio (WMA), WAV, or MP3 file.
