
Toothpaste can be used to repair scratches on a CD. Clean the disc with warm water, soap, and a cloth and then dry it, making sure that no lint is left behind. Squeeze toothpaste onto the disc and rub it on the disc in a straight motion from the center out to the edges. If the CD is badly scratched, repeat that process several times.
Why is my DVD drive not working?
- Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. ...
- The device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. ...
- A driver (service) for this device has been disabled. ...
- Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. ...
How to repair damaged CDs or DVDs and recover data?
Method 2 of 4: Polishing with Abrasive Compounds
- Decide which compound you will use. A number of common household products can be used to polish the CD, but 3M rubbing compound and Brasso are probably the most ...
- Apply the polishing compound to a cloth. Put a small amount of 3M compound or Brasso on a soft, clean, lint-free cloth.
- Polish the CD. ...
- Remove the polishing product from the disc. ...
How do you fix a CD?
Methods for repairing your disc
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. ...
- Expensive machines. Unless you want to spend $500 or more on a professional resurfacing machine, it’s best just to avoid this option altogether.
- Oil-based products. This is where things start to get messy. ...
- Heat. ...
How do you repair a scratched CD?
Part 2: How to Fix a Scratched CD/DVD
- Solution 1: Wax the scratched CD/DVD. This is a temporary solution. ...
- Solution 2: Clean the scratched CD/DVD. Sometimes, your CD/DVD is not scratched really. ...
- Solution 3: Refinish the scratched CD/DVD. ...
- Solution 4: Change the CD/DVD Player. ...

Can CDs be repaired?
Incredibly, scratches in the surface of a CD or DVD can be fixed with softened wax! As with the toothpaste fix, you can use shoe polish, lip balm, furniture wax, or even petroleum jelly. Again, rub it into the surface of the disc to fill the scratch. With a lint-free cloth, wipe of the excess wax, with a radial action.
How do you fix a CD that won't play?
The Compact Disc (CD) Won't PlayMake sure that the disc is inserted correctly with the label side up.Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the disc. ... Reinsert the disc, and then press the PLAY button to see if the disc plays. ... For disc players with a HOLD switch, make sure that the switch is set to the OFF position.More items...•
How do you make a damaged CD work?
Start with a basic toothpaste, something natural without any fancy gels, swirls or flavors. Squeeze a small amount onto the CD starting at the middle radius and rub it in using a sweeping motion until the entire CD is covered in a light layer of toothpaste. Let it dry, then rinse it off using tepid water.
How does Vaseline remove scratches from CDs?
Remove Scratches From a CD/DVD With Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly)Step 1: Materials. Before you start removing scratches from your CDs and DVDs, you should grab your materials. ... Step 2: Cleaning Time! Now it's time to apply the petroleum jelly. ... Step 3: Remove the Scratches. ... Step 4: Finished!
What causes a CD to stop playing?
Usually, a CD or DVD that skips or does not play properly is dirty. Fingerprints, dust, dirt, and hair can interfere with the laser reading the disc causing it to skip or have other minor glitches in specific parts of the disc.
Can you use rubbing alcohol to clean CDs?
Mix rubbing alcohol and water in a one-to-one ratio and use it to clean the DVD to remove fingerprints or other oily residue. Rubbing alcohol works well because it is mild and evaporates quickly without leaving a residue. Rub the disk with a little of the solution and let it dry.
Does toothpaste fix scratches on discs?
Toothpaste is just abrasive enough to wear down scratched areas to a smoother surface. Small scratches and scuff marks are much easier to repair than deep gouges. Some CD repair services can repair the disc with a special buffing machine, but these are hard to use without causing damage.
How do you fix a CD with toothpaste?
You can use toothpaste to buff out minor scratches in the CD. Choose a mildly abrasive toothpaste, and apply it to the scratched area with a small amount of water, and then gently rub the mixture with a clean cloth over the scratched surface.
What removes scratches from CDs?
Apply a small dab of white toothpaste or metal polish to a clean, lint-free (ie fluff-free) cloth and rub very gently along the scratch from the disc's centre outwards. Cover the full length of the scratch, then repeat twice for good measure.
How do you make a scratched disc readable?
1:487:25How to Fix a Scratched or Damaged Disc and Unreadable ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the first thing you're going to want to do is take your toothpaste. And just take small amount ofMoreSo the first thing you're going to want to do is take your toothpaste. And just take small amount of it again. Make sure it's something that doesn't have abrasive beads in it or anything of that
How do you clean a CD that skips?
0:371:31How to Clean CDs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse a small amount of dish detergent mixed. With water if your CD is sticky from spilled food orMoreUse a small amount of dish detergent mixed. With water if your CD is sticky from spilled food or beverages.
How to fix a scratched CD?
To fix a scratched CD, first squirt some toothpaste with baking soda in it onto the CD. Then, use a cotton swab to work the toothpaste into any deep scratches. Next, wipe the toothpaste around the disc in a circular motion with a paper towel or a microfiber cloth. Rinse the toothpaste off with cool water.
How to clean a CD?
Clean and dry the CD. Run the CD under some warm water and rinse thoroughly. Then, using a soft, clean cloth, dry the CD and double check to make sure you've removed all traces of toothpaste or moisture. After you've cleaned and dried the CD, use a soft cloth to buff the surface of the CD. Score.
How to polish a CD?
2. Apply toothpaste to the CD surface. Squeeze a small dab of toothpaste onto the scratched surface of your CD and spread it evenly over the surface of the CD with your finger. 3. Polish the CD.
How to remove scratches from a disc?
Try using a dry "Mr. Clean Magic Eraser" to remove scratches. Use light pressure, wiping from the center of the disk to the outside edge just as described with other polishing methods. The repaired area can be buffed until shiny using the other polishing or waxing techniques described.
What happens if you can't retrieve data from a CD?
If you cannot retrieve data from the CD after attempting the masking tape method, you may have lost all of the information. However, if the masking tape method works, you can expect to retrieve at least 70% of your data. Try again... False.
Can you repair holes in a CD?
Before proceeding you should come to terms with the fact that holes in the foil layer of a CD are not repairable, not even by professionals. The best way to move past them is to skip them altogether so that at least the remaining data can be accessed and saved elsewhere.
How to fix a scratched CD?
If you don't have the supplies to perform the previous methods, you can use peanut butter to fix a scratched CD. Use creamy peanut butter. The chunky style may damage the CD further. Rinse the CD with warm water and dry it off with a microfiber cloth to make sure the surface is free of sticky or loose debris.
How to get scratches out of CD?
Squeeze some toothpaste (or toothpaste-baking soda mixture) onto the shiny side of the CD where the scratches are visible, not the label side. Then, spread the toothpaste using your finger or a microfiber cloth. Lifewire. Spread the toothpaste on the CD radially, from the center out.
How to clean peanut butter off CD?
Rinse off the CD in combination with a wet microfiber cloth. When using the cloth, use a radial inward-to-outward motion. Once the peanut butter is removed, let it air dry or dry it off lightly with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Test the CD.
How to clean a CD with banana peel?
Use the inside of the banana peel to wipe off the CD surface using a radial motion. Clean the CD further with a dry cotton or microfiber cloth. If residue or particles are still present, use a wet cloth or glass cleaner (lightly) to finish up. Test the CD.
What happens if a CD skips?
Keeping them in good shape is key to their longevity. If a CD skips or freezes, there may be smudges or dirt on the disc. If so, a good cleaning is probably the best course of action. However, if after cleaning, the CD still skips or freezes, ...
Can a CD be scratched?
If so, a good cleaning is probably the best course of action. However, if after cleaning, the CD still skips or freezes, it may be scratched. If a CD is scratched, there are several methods you can try that may fix it so that it is playable again. You can use the following methods for fixing scratched DVDs.
Can you repair a scratched CD?
If you are cautious about repairing scratched CDs yourself, and you don' t mind spending a little cash, you can opt to use a CD repair kit or specific CD cleaning solutions. Depending on the kit or solution, it may both clean your CDs and repair minor surface scratches.
How to check if a CD-ROM is red?
Open the Control Panel. Click or double-click the System icon. In Windows XP and earlier, click the Hardware tab and then the Device Manager button. In Windows Vista and later, click the Device Manager link on the left side of the System window. Within Device Manager, verify the CD-ROM has no exclamation marks or red X's.
What does it mean when a CD is dirty?
Bad or dirty CD. Make sure you have tested more than one CD in the disc drive, as it may be one CD that is bad or dirty. If all but one or two discs fail, the disc drive is bad or dirty. For instructions on cleaning your CDs and disc drive, see the computer cleaning page.
Can you connect a CD-ROM cable improperly?
CD-ROM cables connected improperly. If you have recently installed or moved your computer, verify that the CD-ROM cables are connected correctly. If the disc drive is not opening when you press the eject button, verify the CD-ROM power cable is firmly connected. How to verify CD-ROM cables are correctly connected.
How to fix a scratched CD?
The theory behind fixing a scratched CD, is similar to fixing scratched paint on your car. The key is to polish out the deep scratches by using a substance that will create very fine scratches, and essentially polish the CD. To do this you can use any number of plastic polishes, rubbing compounds, and some have even reported good results ...
Can you put car wax on CDs?
It is not a bad idea to put a coat of car wax on the CD (if you have some available). I prefer using an all natural 100% carnauba wax, which is made from the outside surface of a leaf. It is super strong and also friendly towards the environment. It will first of all, help fill-in any remaining deep scratches, second, protect the CD from being scratched in the future, and third, help repel any future dust and dirt from finding its way onto your newly cleaned and resurfaced CD.
How to clean dust off a CD?
If water can’t wash off the dust effectively, you can choose to use a mild detergent or soap water.
Why is my DVD not scratching?
Sometimes, your CD/DVD is not scratched really. Perhaps, it can’t play properly due to dust, oil, or other contaminants on its surface. In this situation, you can just clean the CD/DVD disc to fix it. You can wash your CD/DVD with warm water to remove dust from its surface.
What to do if you forget the name of a file?
If you forget the name of the file you want to recover, you can try Filter function to find your wanted files. After clicking this function, this software will pop out an Advanced Filter interface
Do CDs get scratched?
In real life, these CDs/DVDs are expensive and meaningful for you. However, as time goes on, CDs/DVDs tend to be corrupted or scratched seriously.
Introduction
This technique works by using a rubbing compound that contains a grit to wear down deeper scratches on the CD. It also utilizes car wax to fill any remaining scratches, protect the CD, and keep the CD clean. Please note that this method will only work for CDs and DVDs, but will not work for Blu-Ray discs, as they are made of a harder material.
Step 2
Apply a rubbing compound, moving from the center of the disc outwards.
Step 5
Apply a thin coat of car wax directly to the CD, using a circular application method.
How to repair a computer from a CD?
Insert the system repair disc into your CD or DVD drive. Restart your computer using the computer's power button. If prompted, press any key to start the computer from the system repair disc. If your computer isn't configured to start from a CD or DVD, check the information that came with your computer. You might need to change your computer's BIOS ...
How to create a repair disc?
To create a system repair disc. Open Backup and Restore by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Backup and Restore. In the left pane, click Create a system repair disc, and then follow the steps. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, ...
What does it mean when you are prompted to insert a Windows 7 installation disc?
Note: If you're prompted to insert a Windows installation disc, it means that the files needed to create the system repair disc can't be found on your computer. Insert a Windows 7 installation disc.
What is system recovery?
To use system recovery options, you'll need a Windows installation disc or access to the recovery options provided by your computer manufacturer. If you don't have either of those choices, you can create a system repair disc to access system recovery options.
How to get to BIOS settings on a computer?
Newer computers often display a startup (or boot) menu. On the startup menu, choose "BIOS setup," or "BIOS settings," or something similar. Procedures vary depending on the BIOS manufacturer.
Solution 1: Use Data Recovery Software
Wondershare Recoverit is the best software that can help you on how to restore files from backup DVD. You can recover it with these steps:
Solution 2: Mask the tape
Sipping the tape altogether can save any of the remaining data that you can save and access somewhere else.
Conclusion
CD/DVD is a great storage media. However, if it becomes corrupted and you think about how to read an unreadable DVD, then the above article will surely help you. Try following these methods to fix the issue. Wondershare Recoverit is the best of all to perform recovery of the important data.
How to fix a scratched disc?
Thus, attempt to simply clean the disc properly in order to fix scratched disc. Wash the disc with warm water to remove dust. If you can see dirt accumulated on the surface, gently rub it with a finger while washing. To clean it more effectively, use a mild detergent or liquid soap dissolved in water.
How to clean a CD?
To clean it more effectively, use a mild detergent or liquid soap dissolved in water. You could also use alcohol for cleaning the disc. However, in that case use a cotton swab to clean. While cleaning it, rub the CD in radial motion (starting near the center and straight toward the outer edge).
How to move past holes on a disc?
The best way to move past them is to skip them altogether so that at least the remaining data can be accessed and saved elsewhere. Hold the disc with its shiny side up in clear view of a bright light. See if any holes are visible on the shiny side. Flip the disc and mark the areas holes with a permanent marker.
How to polish a scratched CD?
To polish the CD, household baking soda based toothpaste is most commonly used. Apply a small amount of toothpaste (paste not gel) to a clean, soft, lint-free cloth.
What happens if you scratch a CD?
So much so, that after a point, a scratched CD/DVD becomes unreadable. And a scratched CD could mean bad news – data loss! While a lot of CD recovery software and tools are available for purchase, it isn’t always necessary to invest money in them. There are a lot of things you can do at home to fix a scratched CD and recover your data.
How to get rid of a scratch on a sandpaper?
Apply a small amount of toothpaste (paste not gel) to a clean, soft, lint-free cloth. Gently rub the cloth on the scratch in a radial motion (starting at the center and rubbing out to the edge). Do this 10 – 12 times or for a couple of minutes applying more toothpaste as necessary. Do not apply too much pressure.
How to make a CD with a 60 watt bulb?
Switch on a 60 watt incandescent filament bulb. Thread the CD into your index finger and hold the shiny side at a distance of 10 cm (4 inches) from the lamp facing towards it. Hold it like that for not more than 20 seconds while rotating it slowly around the threaded finger.
