Recovering files from a damaged CD

[redsquare008]

I have a CD with a WMV file that I haven't used for years as I thought I had lost it. I have just found it (it isn't in the best condition) and my computer is not reading it. The disk drive sounds as if it's reading it and then nothing happens. I understand that it is probably because the disk is old and not been greatly looked after but is there any way of me recovering the information on it? I have also tried going into 'My Computer' and trying to open it manually but it tells me there is no disk and promplty opens the disk drive for me to insert a disk.

[Buenchico]

Before you try anything else, try a different disk drive. (Take the CD to work and try it in several computer there and/or try ask your friends to try the CD in their computers). It's quite likely that you'll find a drive which can read it. If so, you can copy the contents to another disk or, for example, to a pen drive.

If that doesn't work, it might be time for the toothpaste trick. Using toothpaste (or Brasso) gently the polish the disk with a soft cloth, working radially outwards from the centre and concentrating on any visible scratches.

Chris

[redsquare008]

Thanks for tbis - tried the toothpaste but to no avail (although it was organic aloe vera toothpaste and not your traditional Colgate, which may have altered things!), so will try and find someone with another disk drive and/or try at work! Thanks for your help with this though!

[AlBags]

If you can find a copy of Plextor Tools, there is file-reading software in it that attempts multiple-times over to read a disc .. without locking up Windows or the drive.

[beso]

If this is a burnt CD hold it up to a bright light. Can you see the light source through it?

If so that can be the problem. A lot of CDs were manufactured at a cut price. One place to save was the quality of the paint on the label side. If it is too thin the reflection of the laser is poor letting the laser pass through and making them unreadable.

If all else fails, spraypaint the label side with a thin coat of white. Let it dry then try reading the disk. Copy the data to something else.

[tamborine]

if its a cheapo CD (thinner) put 2 CDs in together with the 'to read' CD facing the laser

[mjwman]

Depends on the disk. If it is tatty and scratched try polishing with Brasso to smooth out the scratches.
However cheap cds are made with aluminium foil and that can corrode. A CD will not last like a DVD will as the construction is very different. 5-10 years is average.
If corroded you will see break up in the disk.Then it is unreadable.

[galeck1947]

Download and run CD Recovery Toolbox Free and see if it can repair your cd it is worth a try