I burned a CD. There's a pretty visible scratch on the underside,
starting at the center hole and going out about an inch. My CD drive
will not recognize it. I want the data off of it.

I tried some gunk I bought at Frye's -- a few drops on the scratch,
rub it in "until the scratch disappears", let it dry. Well, the
scratch never completely disappeared.

I'm using XP Home SP 1. The CD came from an old HP Pavillion with a
fried motherboard. It's a Mitsumi CR-4804TE. The driver is
apparently the one that comes with XP:
cdrom.sys (5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)

I've contacted the tech departments at both of my universities and
they say they have no tools to recover data from a scratched CD. I'm
doubtful about their veracity. They advised me to go to Frye's and
buy some gunk. Which I already did.

How can I read the data off that CD?

<*((((><{
(E-Mail Removed)

DVD Data RescueT is a Windows based application that
recovers files from damaged , scratched or defective CD
and DVD discs.
http://www.naltech.com/

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Fishy" wrote:

| I burned a CD. There's a pretty visible scratch on the underside,
| starting at the center hole and going out about an inch. My CD drive
| will not recognize it. I want the data off of it.
|
| I tried some gunk I bought at Frye's -- a few drops on the scratch,
| rub it in "until the scratch disappears", let it dry. Well, the
| scratch never completely disappeared.
|
| I'm using XP Home SP 1. The CD came from an old HP Pavillion with a
| fried motherboard. It's a Mitsumi CR-4804TE. The driver is
| apparently the one that comes with XP:
| cdrom.sys (5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
|
| I've contacted the tech departments at both of my universities and
| they say they have no tools to recover data from a scratched CD. I'm
| doubtful about their veracity. They advised me to go to Frye's and
| buy some gunk. Which I already did.
|
| How can I read the data off that CD?
|
| <*((((><{
| (E-Mail Removed)

Go to www.cnet.com to the downloads section & search for data recovery, I
have seen programs in there that are meant to recover data from damaged
discs, I can't think of the names now but I know there are programs made to
do this specifically.

"Fishy" wrote:

> I burned a CD. There's a pretty visible scratch on the underside,
> starting at the center hole and going out about an inch. My CD drive
> will not recognize it. I want the data off of it.
>
> I tried some gunk I bought at Frye's -- a few drops on the scratch,
> rub it in "until the scratch disappears", let it dry. Well, the
> scratch never completely disappeared.
>
> I'm using XP Home SP 1. The CD came from an old HP Pavillion with a
> fried motherboard. It's a Mitsumi CR-4804TE. The driver is
> apparently the one that comes with XP:
> cdrom.sys (5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
>
> I've contacted the tech departments at both of my universities and
> they say they have no tools to recover data from a scratched CD. I'm
> doubtful about their veracity. They advised me to go to Frye's and
> buy some gunk. Which I already did.
>
> How can I read the data off that CD?
>
> <*((((><{
> (E-Mail Removed)
>
>

In addition to the answers already given, be aware that your ability to
retrieve any data from the damage area depends upon a very simple test...If
the scratch is in the plastic layer only, and the reflective/dye layer is
untouched, your data has a good chance of being recovered. If, however, the
scratch does extend into the reflective/dye layer (in other words if that
layer is damaged), then the data that was stored in that area of the disc is
permanently, forever gone. Some programs will do a fair job of trying to
interpolate the missing data, but whatever is recovered will not be the same
as the data that was written to the disc. I would not place too much hope
on retrieving everything from the damaged areas. In the future, keep your
discs in a jewel case, or in some other type of holder. Leaving them laying
around is just asking for trouble.

Bobby

"Fishy" <<*(((({_~_~_~_@ocean.net> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I burned a CD. There's a pretty visible scratch on the underside,
> starting at the center hole and going out about an inch. My CD drive
> will not recognize it. I want the data off of it.
>
> I tried some gunk I bought at Frye's -- a few drops on the scratch,
> rub it in "until the scratch disappears", let it dry. Well, the
> scratch never completely disappeared.
>
> I'm using XP Home SP 1. The CD came from an old HP Pavillion with a
> fried motherboard. It's a Mitsumi CR-4804TE. The driver is
> apparently the one that comes with XP:
> cdrom.sys (5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
>
> I've contacted the tech departments at both of my universities and
> they say they have no tools to recover data from a scratched CD. I'm
> doubtful about their veracity. They advised me to go to Frye's and
> buy some gunk. Which I already did.
>
> How can I read the data off that CD?
>
> <*((((><{
> (E-Mail Removed)
>

Note, that to polish out a scratch, you must polish in a
radial motion. From the center outward to the edge. If you
use a circular or radial motion you will further damage the
surface.


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.


"NoNoBadDog!" <mypants_bjsledgeATpixi.com> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
| In addition to the answers already given, be aware that
your ability to
| retrieve any data from the damage area depends upon a very
simple test...If
| the scratch is in the plastic layer only, and the
reflective/dye layer is
| untouched, your data has a good chance of being recovered.
If, however, the
| scratch does extend into the reflective/dye layer (in
other words if that
| layer is damaged), then the data that was stored in that
area of the disc is
| permanently, forever gone. Some programs will do a fair
job of trying to
| interpolate the missing data, but whatever is recovered
will not be the same
| as the data that was written to the disc. I would not
place too much hope
| on retrieving everything from the damaged areas. In the
future, keep your
| discs in a jewel case, or in some other type of holder.
Leaving them laying
| around is just asking for trouble.
|
| Bobby
|
| "Fishy" <<*(((({_~_~_~_@ocean.net> wrote in message
| news:(E-Mail Removed)...
| >I burned a CD. There's a pretty visible scratch on the
underside,
| > starting at the center hole and going out about an inch.
My CD drive
| > will not recognize it. I want the data off of it.
| >
| > I tried some gunk I bought at Frye's -- a few drops on
the scratch,
| > rub it in "until the scratch disappears", let it dry.
Well, the
| > scratch never completely disappeared.
| >
| > I'm using XP Home SP 1. The CD came from an old HP
Pavillion with a
| > fried motherboard. It's a Mitsumi CR-4804TE. The
driver is
| > apparently the one that comes with XP:
| > cdrom.sys (5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
| >
| > I've contacted the tech departments at both of my
universities and
| > they say they have no tools to recover data from a
scratched CD. I'm
| > doubtful about their veracity. They advised me to go to
Frye's and
| > buy some gunk. Which I already did.
| >
| > How can I read the data off that CD?
| >
| > <*((((><{
| > (E-Mail Removed)
| >
|
|

Jim,

For clarification purposes, do you use a radial motion or not? In your last
sentence, it looks as if you said that radial motion could further damage
the disc.

Thanks,
Newtechie

"Jim Macklin" <p51mustang[threeX12]@xxxhotmail.calm> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Note, that to polish out a scratch, you must polish in a
> radial motion. From the center outward to the edge. If you
> use a circular or radial motion you will further damage the
> surface.
>
>
> --
> The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
> But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
>
>
> "NoNoBadDog!" <mypants_bjsledgeATpixi.com> wrote in message
> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> | In addition to the answers already given, be aware that
> your ability to
> | retrieve any data from the damage area depends upon a very
> simple test...If
> | the scratch is in the plastic layer only, and the
> reflective/dye layer is
> | untouched, your data has a good chance of being recovered.
> If, however, the
> | scratch does extend into the reflective/dye layer (in
> other words if that
> | layer is damaged), then the data that was stored in that
> area of the disc is
> | permanently, forever gone. Some programs will do a fair
> job of trying to
> | interpolate the missing data, but whatever is recovered
> will not be the same
> | as the data that was written to the disc. I would not
> place too much hope
> | on retrieving everything from the damaged areas. In the
> future, keep your
> | discs in a jewel case, or in some other type of holder.
> Leaving them laying
> | around is just asking for trouble.
> |
> | Bobby
> |
> | "Fishy" <<*(((({_~_~_~_@ocean.net> wrote in message
> | news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> | >I burned a CD. There's a pretty visible scratch on the
> underside,
> | > starting at the center hole and going out about an inch.
> My CD drive
> | > will not recognize it. I want the data off of it.
> | >
> | > I tried some gunk I bought at Frye's -- a few drops on
> the scratch,
> | > rub it in "until the scratch disappears", let it dry.
> Well, the
> | > scratch never completely disappeared.
> | >
> | > I'm using XP Home SP 1. The CD came from an old HP
> Pavillion with a
> | > fried motherboard. It's a Mitsumi CR-4804TE. The
> driver is
> | > apparently the one that comes with XP:
> | > cdrom.sys (5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
> | >
> | > I've contacted the tech departments at both of my
> universities and
> | > they say they have no tools to recover data from a
> scratched CD. I'm
> | > doubtful about their veracity. They advised me to go to
> Frye's and
> | > buy some gunk. Which I already did.
> | >
> | > How can I read the data off that CD?
> | >
> | > <*((((><{
> | > (E-Mail Removed)
> | >
> |
> |
>
>

straight line from center to edge, no circular motion and no
motion around the CD. A single scratch on the plastic side
that is has no face to reflect the laser can be read, but a
scratch that is parallel to the laser track will fool the
laser.


"newtechie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
| Jim,
|
| For clarification purposes, do you use a radial motion or
not? In your last
| sentence, it looks as if you said that radial motion could
further damage
| the disc.
|
| Thanks,
| Newtechie
|
| "Jim Macklin" <p51mustang[threeX12]@xxxhotmail.calm> wrote
in message
| news:(E-Mail Removed)...
| > Note, that to polish out a scratch, you must polish in a
| > radial motion. From the center outward to the edge. If
you
| > use a circular or radial motion you will further damage
the
| > surface.
| >
| >
| > --
| > The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
| > But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
| >
| >
| > "NoNoBadDog!" <mypants_bjsledgeATpixi.com> wrote in
message
| > news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
| > | In addition to the answers already given, be aware
that
| > your ability to
| > | retrieve any data from the damage area depends upon a
very
| > simple test...If
| > | the scratch is in the plastic layer only, and the
| > reflective/dye layer is
| > | untouched, your data has a good chance of being
recovered.
| > If, however, the
| > | scratch does extend into the reflective/dye layer (in
| > other words if that
| > | layer is damaged), then the data that was stored in
that
| > area of the disc is
| > | permanently, forever gone. Some programs will do a
fair
| > job of trying to
| > | interpolate the missing data, but whatever is
recovered
| > will not be the same
| > | as the data that was written to the disc. I would not
| > place too much hope
| > | on retrieving everything from the damaged areas. In
the
| > future, keep your
| > | discs in a jewel case, or in some other type of
holder.
| > Leaving them laying
| > | around is just asking for trouble.
| > |
| > | Bobby
| > |
| > | "Fishy" <<*(((({_~_~_~_@ocean.net> wrote in message
| > | news:(E-Mail Removed)...
| > | >I burned a CD. There's a pretty visible scratch on
the
| > underside,
| > | > starting at the center hole and going out about an
inch.
| > My CD drive
| > | > will not recognize it. I want the data off of it.
| > | >
| > | > I tried some gunk I bought at Frye's -- a few drops
on
| > the scratch,
| > | > rub it in "until the scratch disappears", let it
dry.
| > Well, the
| > | > scratch never completely disappeared.
| > | >
| > | > I'm using XP Home SP 1. The CD came from an old HP
| > Pavillion with a
| > | > fried motherboard. It's a Mitsumi CR-4804TE. The
| > driver is
| > | > apparently the one that comes with XP:
| > | > cdrom.sys (5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
| > | >
| > | > I've contacted the tech departments at both of my
| > universities and
| > | > they say they have no tools to recover data from a
| > scratched CD. I'm
| > | > doubtful about their veracity. They advised me to
go to
| > Frye's and
| > | > buy some gunk. Which I already did.
| > | >
| > | > How can I read the data off that CD?
| > | >
| > | > <*((((><{
| > | > (E-Mail Removed)
| > | >
| > |
| > |
| >
| >
|
|

Try back and forth cleaning with tissue paper and Crest Toothpaste. Has
worked wonders in the past for scratched CD's.

FIXED!

The goop never did work. I found "CD Roller" and it read the disk
right away. Then I copied the contents to the hard drive and am ready
to go.

I suspect that it was the driver on CR Roller that did the trick. I'm
using the default Win XP Home CD driver for my old Mitsumi CR-4804TE.

Does that make any sense?


<*((((><{
(E-Mail Removed)




In the last exciting episode on Mon, 22 Nov 2004 13:29:07 -0600, "Jim
Macklin" <p51mustang[threeX12]@xxxhotmail.calm> wrote:

|straight line from center to edge, no circular motion and no
|motion around the CD. A single scratch on the plastic side
|that is has no face to reflect the laser can be read, but a
|scratch that is parallel to the laser track will fool the
|laser.
|
|
|"newtechie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
|news:(E-Mail Removed)...
|| Jim,
||
|| For clarification purposes, do you use a radial motion or
|not? In your last
|| sentence, it looks as if you said that radial motion could
|further damage
|| the disc.
||
|| Thanks,
|| Newtechie
||
|| "Jim Macklin" <p51mustang[threeX12]@xxxhotmail.calm> wrote
|in message
|| news:(E-Mail Removed)...
|| > Note, that to polish out a scratch, you must polish in a
|| > radial motion. From the center outward to the edge. If
|you
|| > use a circular or radial motion you will further damage
|the
|| > surface.
|| >
|| >
|| > --
|| > The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
|| > But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
|| >
|| >
|| > "NoNoBadDog!" <mypants_bjsledgeATpixi.com> wrote in
|message
|| > news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
|| > | In addition to the answers already given, be aware
|that
|| > your ability to
|| > | retrieve any data from the damage area depends upon a
|very
|| > simple test...If
|| > | the scratch is in the plastic layer only, and the
|| > reflective/dye layer is
|| > | untouched, your data has a good chance of being
|recovered.
|| > If, however, the
|| > | scratch does extend into the reflective/dye layer (in
|| > other words if that
|| > | layer is damaged), then the data that was stored in
|that
|| > area of the disc is
|| > | permanently, forever gone. Some programs will do a
|fair
|| > job of trying to
|| > | interpolate the missing data, but whatever is
|recovered
|| > will not be the same
|| > | as the data that was written to the disc. I would not
|| > place too much hope
|| > | on retrieving everything from the damaged areas. In
|the
|| > future, keep your
|| > | discs in a jewel case, or in some other type of
|holder.
|| > Leaving them laying
|| > | around is just asking for trouble.
|| > |
|| > | Bobby
|| > |
|| > | "Fishy" <<*(((({_~_~_~_@ocean.net> wrote in message
|| > | news:(E-Mail Removed)...
|| > | >I burned a CD. There's a pretty visible scratch on
|the
|| > underside,
|| > | > starting at the center hole and going out about an
|inch.
|| > My CD drive
|| > | > will not recognize it. I want the data off of it.
|| > | >
|| > | > I tried some gunk I bought at Frye's -- a few drops
|on
|| > the scratch,
|| > | > rub it in "until the scratch disappears", let it
|dry.
|| > Well, the
|| > | > scratch never completely disappeared.
|| > | >
|| > | > I'm using XP Home SP 1. The CD came from an old HP
|| > Pavillion with a
|| > | > fried motherboard. It's a Mitsumi CR-4804TE. The
|| > driver is
|| > | > apparently the one that comes with XP:
|| > | > cdrom.sys (5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
|| > | >
|| > | > I've contacted the tech departments at both of my
|| > universities and
|| > | > they say they have no tools to recover data from a
|| > scratched CD. I'm
|| > | > doubtful about their veracity. They advised me to
|go to
|| > Frye's and
|| > | > buy some gunk. Which I already did.
|| > | >
|| > | > How can I read the data off that CD?
|| > | >
|| > | > <*((((><{
|| > | > (E-Mail Removed)
|| > | >
|| > |
|| > |
|| >
|| >
||
||
|

Follow-Up:

I was never able to repair the scratch in the CD using the gunk in the
bottle. But I did download CDRoller. I installer it, used the driver
that came built-in with it, and it read the CD just fine. Then I
copied the files to the hard-drive and burned another CD.

I have this nagging suspicion that it was the DRIVER that allowed me
to read the scratched CD.

Is that possible?

If so, should I get a better DRIVER for my CD-rom? (I'm probably
using whatever came with Windows XP).

<*((((><{
(E-Mail Removed)




In the last exciting episode on Sun, 21 Nov 2004 17:16:04 -0600,
"Carey Frisch [MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

|DVD Data RescueT is a Windows based application that
|recovers files from damaged , scratched or defective CD
|and DVD discs.
|http://www.naltech.com/
|
|--
|Carey Frisch
|Microsoft MVP
|Windows XP - Shell/User
|
|Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
|http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx
|
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
| "Fishy" wrote:
|
|| I burned a CD. There's a pretty visible scratch on the underside,
|| starting at the center hole and going out about an inch. My CD drive
|| will not recognize it. I want the data off of it.
||
|| I tried some gunk I bought at Frye's -- a few drops on the scratch,
|| rub it in "until the scratch disappears", let it dry. Well, the
|| scratch never completely disappeared.
||
|| I'm using XP Home SP 1. The CD came from an old HP Pavillion with a
|| fried motherboard. It's a Mitsumi CR-4804TE. The driver is
|| apparently the one that comes with XP:
|| cdrom.sys (5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
||
|| I've contacted the tech departments at both of my universities and
|| they say they have no tools to recover data from a scratched CD. I'm
|| doubtful about their veracity. They advised me to go to Frye's and
|| buy some gunk. Which I already did.
||
|| How can I read the data off that CD?
||
|| <*((((><{
|| (E-Mail Removed)