An Old CD Issue

adriano · Post by **adriano** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 12:40 pm

Hello forum.
I have an old CD with a couple of songs on it, that I backed-up to it about 12 years ago.
The bottom of the CD has no scratches at all, but the matte (label side) has flaked off taking the shine you'd see when you flip the CD, away.

I believe this is causing the CD not to be read anymore. Is there a way that I can fix this?

Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thank you,
Adriano

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 2:17 pm

Moving to General Recording I guess. This is not a Digital Performer issue.

buzzsmith · Post by **buzzsmith** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 4:08 pm

adriano wrote:Hello forum.
I have an old CD with a couple of songs on it, that I backed-up to it about 12 years ago.
The bottom of the CD has no scratches at all, but the matte (label side) has flaked off taking the shine you'd see when you flip the CD, away.

I believe this is causing the CD not to be read anymore. Is there a way that I can fix this?

Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thank you,
Adriano

Shooting in the dark, here...

1. If you hold the CD up to a strong light, and look through it, do you see any abnormalities or surface wear?
As you well know, the data is recorded in the colored coating on the non label side. There should be no defects in that layer, at all.
The top side "should" make no difference unless a torn paper label is somehow jamming the CD player mechanism.

2. Have you tried various CD players or different computers? I've had severely damaged discs come in that the Mac would not mount, but a 10 year old Sony player would read.

3. Is the disc really clean?

I think that's all I've got!

For some probably useless info...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD-R

Buzzy

bkshepard · Post by **bkshepard** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 4:49 pm

Buzzy's right, try it in some different CD players. If all else fails, try putting one of the CD-Stomper type labels on the label side. That may help to restore the reflectivity to the disk and make it readable again. Good luck!

adriano · Post by **adriano** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 6:05 pm

Sorry James. I really didn't know where to place the thread.

Hi Buzzsmith.
Yes, the CD has no scratches and it's clean. What happened is that the matte has flaked off removing the shine along with it and the CD looks like plaxyglass now.

I tried it in 5 other CD players and two of them will play it for about 6-7 seconds and then it stops.

I will try bkshepard's suggestion too. I think the reflectivity (the shine) it's the problem.

Buzzsmith and bkshepard, thank you

Adriano

cuttime · Post by **cuttime** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 7:08 pm

Sounds like the plastic laminate may have separated allowing the aluminum layer to oxidize. I can't think of any way to restore the aluminum layer. I hate to say it, but I think the CD is hosed.

kassonica · Post by **kassonica** » Wed Jun 23, 2010 2:14 am

A real LONG LONG SHOT

Put it in the fridge over night, let it thaw and see if it works.

David Polich · Post by **David Polich** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 9:32 am

That CD is a goner. Faggedaboudit.

adriano · Post by **adriano** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:33 am

Yeap. It's a goner.

adriano · Post by **adriano** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:37 am

kassonica wrote:A real LONG LONG SHOT

Put it in the fridge over night, let it thaw and see if it works.

It's a no go.
Should I put it in a pan with some olive oil and garlic and remove from the pan as soon as it starts to deform?
I heard that garlic is good for anything.

bongo_x · Post by **bongo_x** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:51 am

I pretty sure that the easiest way to damage a CD is from the label side, because of the situation you describe. I put those paper labels on things I want to keep for that reason. The bottom side is a layer of thick plastic than can be polished if it gets scratched. The top is very thin, if you damage the metal it’s gone.

bb

kassonica · Post by **kassonica** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 6:26 am

adriano wrote:
kassonica wrote:A real LONG LONG SHOT

Put it in the fridge over night, let it thaw and see if it works.
It's a no go.
Should I put it in a pan with some olive oil and garlic and remove from the pan as soon as it starts to deform?
I heard that garlic is good for anything.

I tried to help

adriano · Post by **adriano** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 7:19 am

Hi kassonica.

I really appreciate your help and everyone's else. I was totally kidding. Please, don't take it personal it was just a joke.

Thanks again
Adriano

cuttime · Post by **cuttime** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 11:20 am

Since we've determined that the CD is a lost cause, but the info on it is irreplaceable and valuable, try this: Peel off all the top laminate and spray the top with an even coat of aluminum paint. LET IT DRY THOROUGHLY!!!

Then, place it in a CD player that you DON"T CARE ABOUT DAMAGING!!!

In theory, it is possible, maybe, that there is a snowball's chance in hell, that this sort of thing could work, kind of, or at least could produce the result of an Urban Legend about repairing damaged CDs that could be repeated endlessly throughout the Internet without a shred of evidence proving its efficacy.

Also, the garlic couldn't hurt, either.

adriano · Post by **adriano** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 11:34 am

Thanks cuttime.
Good idea and it's worth a shot. I'll post back with the results.

Adriano

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