Optical media (eg, CDs & DVDs) are very easily damaged. If treated carelessly, they may eventually become unreadable. With optical-media drives becoming ever faster and more disc sensitive, this is becoming an increasing problem.
Optical media are made from two thin layers of polycarbonate, sandwiching the data-encoded reflective surface: This surface is very easily scratched. Normally an optical-media drive can cope with small surface-scratches with no problems. However, if these scratches are too long, too deep or too numerous, the optical-media drive may have difficulty reading the data.
Similar problems will result from dirt and grease accumulating on the playing surface.
Protecting your disks:
- To avoid getting dirt on the disc, always hold it by the edges, and never touch the playing surface;
- should the disc become dirty or scratched, clean the surface with a lens cloth, using a small radial action;
- should the disc be very dirty, use a proprietary optical-media cleaner or a lens cloth with an optical media cleaning fluid;
- should the disc be badly scratched, there are optical-media cleaners available that will repair some of this damage;
- optical media should also be kept well away from extreme heat, as this can warp the disc or damage the surface.
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