While compact discs (CDs) are remarkably durable, it’s nearly impossible to prevent scratches and scuffs from occurring from time to time. The resulting damage can either be a skip in your favorite music track or, in the case of data CDs; it can even cause loss of data.

This being a holiday for many, watching movies becomes part of everything. However, there is nothing disgusting like watching a skipping or scratched CD or DVD.

This happens sometimes when you try reading a scratched DVD or CD on your DVD writer or ROM but does not read it at all. But the strange thing is that the same scratched disc is being read by your friend’s computer.

This does not need to cause any despair. There is a CD cleaning kit to help repair the damage at a cost of Rwf3000.  However, in conditions where this is not available, some simple techniques can do the magic.

Simply clean the disc even if it is not actually scratched, dusty or oily. This is because other surface contaminants can prevent it from playing properly. Thus cleaning the disc should always be your first move.

But if dirt or grease is located on the disc, gently rub it with your finger while you are washing it, and use a gentle detergent or liquid soap with the water or rubbing alcohol not water. Polishing its plastic surface can also work.

Clean starting from the disc centre rubbing straight outward toward the edge to prevent further scratching. Shake the water off and let the disc air-dry.

If the CD persists in giving reading errors after carrying out the above cleansing, it is also advised that a scratched CD can be recovered by polishing it with toothpaste.

In case the CD works in one player especially a PC but not in others, try playing a new disc. The CD burner on your computer may be able to read the CD well enough to produce a perfect copy.

However, all these would not last for ages. If the reading errors persist thereby requiring cleaning per view, burn a new disc. Now, did I hear a skipping Christmas carol?

Ends