| The world of computer data storage media | | | | can help reduce this problem. |
| certainly has moved on since the old days of | | | | |
| 8 or 5.25-inch floppy disks. Modern and far | | | | Try re-recording the data onto a CD-R, if it |
| more reliable recordable and re-writable CD's | | | | was originally stored on a rewritable CD. |
| have virtually completely replaced the floppy | | | | This is useful in that CD-R's are often more |
| disk. Unfortunately problems do still exist, | | | | easily read by CD drives since they have |
| which can cause data to be corrupted and | | | | improved physical recording processes. If the |
| lost. | | | | CD drive is old then the opposite may be |
| | | | true, in this case place a rewritable CD in |
| When disaster strikes and you find you've got | | | | the old drive, older CD drives will have more |
| a data loss issue with one of your recordable | | | | of a chance of reading this type of disk. |
| re-writable CD's there are a number of | | | | |
| simple troubleshooting moves you can make to | | | | The computer BIOS needs to be looked at to |
| try to get that all important data back. | | | | ensure it is not corrupted. The BIOS can be |
| | | | found upon the initial boot-up process of the |
| First of all, make sure you know the disc in | | | | computer, usually by pushing a specific key, |
| question is a CD and not a fairly similar | | | | e.g. F1. Once in the BIOS the CD drive should |
| looking DVD disc. It follows that you should | | | | be listed in the boot-up sequence. When |
| ensure the disc drive on your computer is | | | | booting up the computer, the CD drive should |
| designed for CD's and not DVD's. CD players | | | | be listed in the right place, typically |
| don't function properly with DVDs, but, some | | | | second within the drive sequence. |
| DVD players can read CD's. | | | | |
| | | | The driver(s) can be reinstalled by their |
| Next you should try and make the CD as clean | | | | careful removal from the 'device manager |
| as possible using an air canister or, | | | | list'. After this reboot the system and wait |
| lint-free cloth or wiper. The best cleaning | | | | for Windows to install the driver |
| hand motions are from the centre of the disk | | | | automatically. Upon following this many small |
| out to the disc edge. Don't move the wiper in | | | | problems can be ironed out. If problems still |
| a circular motion. A small quantity of | | | | persist you can remove the CD drive from the |
| distilled water can help very tough marks to | | | | registry, then using the windows 'device |
| come off. Removing marks such as dirty | | | | manager' you can reinstall it. |
| fingerprints or felt tip pen ink will improve | | | | |
| the discs readability. | | | | If after having tried these basic methods of |
| | | | countering a data issue on your CD with no |
| Ensure the cabling connecting the computer to | | | | positive results you will most likely have to |
| the drive is snug and secure. Cables are | | | | travel to a specialist data recovery expert. |
| actually able to move out of their sockets | | | | Specialists have an array of equipment and |
| with repeated shutdowns or startups due to | | | | procedures that will more often than not |
| associated expansion and contraction cycles. | | | | yield good results fast. |
| Screwing or clipping the cable to the drive | | | | |