LinuxQuestions.org
Share your knowledge at the LQ Wiki.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Software
User Name
Password
Linux - Software This forum is for Software issues.
Having a problem installing a new program? Want to know which application is best for the job? Post your question in this forum.

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 03-24-2005, 03:55 PM   #1
sutley
Member
 
Registered: Jul 2004
Posts: 42

Rep: Reputation: 15
How to check if disc is too scratched?


I have a CD-ROM. It seems to have a lot of scratches on it, but how do I know if its too scratched up to be used? For instance what if you had a copy of Adobe Photoshop and you wanted to see if the entire disc was still readable/usable?

sam
 
Old 03-24-2005, 04:55 PM   #2
Zeppelin_Fan
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Aug 2004
Distribution: SuSE
Posts: 16

Rep: Reputation: 0
Well usually the best way to tell is to either look or try running it. Failing that get a clear wax crayon (like the ones found with easter egg die kits) and rub it across the bottom of the CD. Then take a CD cleaning cloth (or any really really soft cloth for that matter) and polish the CD until you can't see the marks from the crayon any more. I'm told that is supposed to work well.
 
Old 03-24-2005, 05:50 PM   #3
otchie1
Registered User
 
Registered: Apr 2004
Posts: 560

Rep: Reputation: 30
The bottom of a CDRoM is just a sheet of plastic...the data is on the underside of the top printed surface.....so long as the plastic is see-through it should work no matter what you polish it with...windolene,,,brasso,,whatever doesn't cause it to fog will work. Just don't try it on CDRW and test it on a free aol disk first.
 
Old 03-24-2005, 09:19 PM   #4
sutley
Member
 
Registered: Jul 2004
Posts: 42

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 15
So no measuring the "jitter" or somekind of MD5SUM or something.
 
Old 03-27-2005, 03:52 AM   #5
otchie1
Registered User
 
Registered: Apr 2004
Posts: 560

Rep: Reputation: 30
nope..md5 checksum are all about the integrity of the data stream not about whether there are dirty great holes in that data.

Why make life more difficult than it needs to be? In order to run any kind of tests you have to read the thing and as it's in your CD tray just run it anyway.
 
Old 03-27-2005, 05:52 AM   #6
scsi_phreak
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Mar 2005
Distribution: Mandrake 10.0
Posts: 12

Rep: Reputation: 0
Just put the CD in the tray, and if the data crashes your system or takes a long time to open, its probably too scratched.
if you look closely, and you see holes or blotted discoloration to the reflective side, you are probably dealing with scratches on the top, and therefore your CD is no good.
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Lag from a scratched disc? juanbobo Linux - General 4 12-02-2005 12:43 AM
Scratched my motherboard - Does it look bad? Chuckinator General 14 08-17-2005 11:49 PM
Copying files from scratched CD Fade_t Linux - Software 1 05-01-2005 12:57 AM
k3b hangs when trying to burn dvd+rw disc but not cd rw disc laiboonh Slackware 0 11-06-2004 11:22 AM
Good ripper for scratched CDs? BaltikaTroika Linux - Software 1 11-01-2004 07:42 AM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Software

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:29 AM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration