How to Restore a CD

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Introduction

If a CD or CD-ROM gets scratched, it often becomes unplayable. Don't write off your favorite album or computer game yet, though.

By: eHow Computers Editor

Length: 1:39

Comments: 6

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Instructions

Text Size: +
Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Tips & Warnings:

  • Make a digital copy of any repaired disc onto a CD-R in case it starts skipping again and further cleaning doesn't work.
  • Copy new CDs onto cassettes, minidiscs or MP3 players to save wear and tear on your CD collection.
Step1
Clean your disc so that you can see where the scratches are. Holding the disc by its edges, wash it with mild soap and water and pat it dry (don't rub it or you'll make more scratches). Sometimes this is enough to make a disc playable again.
Step2
Examine the clean disc carefully under a good light. Scratches that are likely to affect disc play run parallel to the edge of the disc. Vertical scratches that run between the center hole and the edge are usually not a problem.
Step3
For minor scratches, carefully clean the clear plastic that protects the aluminum inside the disc. Use a soft, damp cloth and a small amount of very mild abrasive cleaner--plain white toothpaste, metal cleaner or plastic cleaner. The key is not to make new scratches. When polishing or cleaning, always rub gently from the inside of the disc to the outside (see illustration). That way, any scratches you make will be the harmless vertical kind.
Step4
After wiping away a scratch, clean the disc again, let it dry and try playing it again. If it still skips, repeat the process.
Step5
If your disc is severely scratched, try using a combination abrasion and waxing technique with a commercial disc-repair solution.

Comments

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huskyboy

huskyboy said

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on 12/30/2007 wow thank you so much for this i got a ps 2 game for xmas in two day it was scratched five min after reading this i have my game back thanks

Nyko

Nyko said

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on 9/26/2007 thank you soooo much!

angelita8

angelita8 said

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on 9/26/2007 bravo! my beatles and white stripes disks thank you.

Ceile

Ceile said

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on 9/26/2007 Good solutions! And nicely written article!

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on 9/26/2007 FAntastic and just what i was looking for as i have several favourites that are skipping at times and i was at a loss as to how to save them. Thank you very much

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eHow Article: How to Restore a CD

eHow Computers Editor

eHow Computers Editor

Category: Computers

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