How to Fix PC CD Scratches
When a CD is scratched, the laser that tries to read information stored on the data side of the disc skips over the scratched areas. Some CD/DVD drives can play such discs if the scratches are light, but deep scratches can cause the CD to stop playing or lock up altogether. Scratches make the scratched-over data inaccessible unless the disc can be repaired or cleaned, usually using common household products.
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Things You'll Need
- White chalk toothpaste
- Cotton
- Nonabrasive cloth
- Dish detergent
- Vaseline
- Brasso
Instructions
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Water and Dish Detergent
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1
Take the CD-ROM and place your index finger in the middle hole, making sure not to handle the surface of the CD with your fingers.
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2
Pour a little dish detergent on the bottom side (not the label side) of the CD. Use your index and middle fingers to rub the detergent in if you like.
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3
Rinse the CD in tepid water until all of the detergent washes off.
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4
Dry the disc with a nonabrasive cloth.
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5
Try using the disc. If it's still skipping, you will need to try the polish method.
Polishing with Toothpaste
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6
Find white chalk toothpaste. Do not use gel toothpaste.
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7
Place a dab of toothpaste on the bottom surface of the CD. If the whole CD is scratched, spread the toothpaste all over the surface. If there is just one scratch, place toothpaste only on that spot.
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8
Rub the toothpaste into the CD with either cotton or a nonabrasive cloth, starting from the inner part of the CD and slowly working toward the outer edges. Do not polish in a circular direction. This method actually makes the scratches shallower and evens them out with the rest of the surface, so the information can be read and accessed.
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9
Leave the toothpaste in for several minutes.
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10
Place your finger in the CD hole and wash all of the toothpaste off the CD with tepid water. Dry the CD with a nonabrasive cloth and insert it into the CD/DVD drive of your PC and see if the data is now accessible.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If the toothpaste method doesn't work, use Vaseline or Brasso and polish the disc as you did with the toothpaste.
Avoid using sponges on the CD, as they can easily scratch it. When polishing with toothpaste, do no rub in the direction of the CD's spiral, as this can potentially damage your CD further. Polish from the middle to the outer edges of the CD.
