How does one fix scrached CDs?

[imported_goku]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=38&threadid=1734167&enterthread=y
and
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=34&threadid=1733887
show that I'm desperate to figure out how to repair this CD. I've been able to recover most of the data on this disc but the problem is, even if I were to burn the data BACK to a CD agian, I wouldn't be able to because I need the boot img file to make it a bootable disc (win98SE disc). I have no idea where to get this and it would be nice if I could get this disc working agian.

 

[TallBill]

Go to the store and buy a new one, and hope for solid state media.

 

[TitanDiddly]

Take it to a video rental place. Most have an industrial DVD cleaning machine that might do it.

 

[pac1085]

i've heard toothpaste works on scratches? never tried it, though.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: Ned
Take it to a video rental place. Most have an industrial DVD cleaning machine that might do it.

Never seen one of those before, and I've worked in a video store.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

Brush toothpaste on the scratched areas for a little while, and it will wear everything down to the point of being even, I believe. If you do it too much it will permanently damage the CD, however.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: pac1085
i've heard toothpaste works on scratches? never tried it, though.

I used toothpaste on a scratched rental DVD that was breaking up in a few spots and it worked wonders.

 

[DaWhim]

put it in a microwave for 5 seconds.

 

[Xcobra]

Originally posted by: DaWhim
put it in a microwave for 5 seconds.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Ned
Take it to a video rental place. Most have an industrial DVD cleaning machine that might do it.

Never seen one of those before, and I've worked in a video store.

right, he did say 'most'.

 

[imported_goku]

Would using "wax" help it?

 

[imported_Cameron]

Originally posted by: DaWhim
put it in a microwave for 5 seconds.

works every time.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: goku
Would using "wax" help it?

Why not just try the toothpaste idea others have mentioned?

 

[NuclearNed]

I had a thread about this several months ago, but the wonderful search function doesn't seem to want to find it.

Brass polish or silver polish work wonders on cds. Put a small amount on the scratched area, and rub the heck out of it with a soft, clean cloth. If the cd still won't play, repeat.

I had a cd with a really deep scratch, and had to to the step above probably 4-5 times.

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: goku
Would using "wax" help it?

Why not just try the toothpaste idea others have mentioned?

Because it's abraisive.

 

[NuclearNed]

Lots o' info in this thread o' mine.

 

[white]

clear plastic polish

 

[Compton]

Originally posted by: white
clear plastic polish

FTW!! Go look for this stuff. Don't use toofpaste.

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: HamburgerBoy
Brush toothpaste on the scratched areas for a little while, and it will wear everything down to the point of being even, I believe. If you do it too much it will permanently damage the CD, however.

:thumbsup:

 

[compuwiz1]

Go to the auto supply store and get some plastic instrument panel cleaner / polish. Basically it's a clear plastic polish. Do NOT use brasso or other brass polishes. It's too coarse, and will serve to scratch it worse.

 

[SearchMaster]

My son scratched one of his brand new games. It wasn't terribly scratched; probably a single half inch long scratch but the combination of my launch PS2 plus that game meant a certain scene would lock up every time. I did the toothpaste thing but it still failed - then I tried again and gently rubbed the game for probably 5 minutes this time. The scratch was gone, though the spot around it had tiny swirl scratches and the game works perfectly now.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

toothpaste technique worked wonders for me.

 

[Lord Zado]

I wonder who was sitting around thinking..."Man, this CD is so scratched up it won't play anymore. I know! I'll rub some toothpaste on it!"

 

[Kelemvor]

Redownload your pirated stuff and burn a new one...

 

[mcvickj]

Seems like a lot of work for just a Windows 98 CD. I'm sure you could find one on eBay or in AT:FS/FT without the key for cheap.