Recovering my Windows CD
Published 2 years ago, at the end of June under Life-Hacks
Although I’m a huge fan of OS X on my new MacBook, I keep a Windows XP desktop around for gaming and some day-to-day uses. Windows always slows down on me over time, neccessitating at least a bi-annual reinstall. After backing-up my data, I began the reinstall process from my XP Pro CD. The install failed due to a scratched disc, rendering my desktop utterly useless. I searched the internet for the best solution for recovering scratched CDs and stumbled upon the miracle cure: toothpaste.
As unusual as the solution sounds, it actually makes sense. Most CD scratches aren’t deep enough to destroy data, they only damage the clear protective coating above the data layer. An abrasive such as toothpaste can grind away a small amount of the protective layer to smooth it and allow data to be read. I tested the now minty-fresh Windows disc on my MacBook by installing Windows on a virtual partition in Parallels, and it worked flawlessly. After backing up the readable disc to a CD-R, I successfully reinstalled Windows on my desktop.
Here are some good guides from around the net to recovering CDs with toothpaste:
The Screen Savers: How to Remove CD Scratches (RIP TechTV)
Life Hacker: MacGyver Tip: Fix scratched CDs with toothpaste
Hardware Secrets: Recoving Scratched CDs
Surprisingly, toothpaste helps plenty of things. Another being fixing glass…my watch was scratched and i didnt want to replace the watch or pay for a new piece of glass, so i was told to rub toothpaste on it to smooth the scratch…
And it worked…not perfect, but it worked enough to lessen the scratch. As for Windows, i usually re-install every few months. My laptop sucks and starts to run slow after a while…so until i get a Macbook (god only knows how long that will take), im stuck with XP…