Ally Web Directory: Free Articles » Technology » Suffering Data Loss from Optical Disks

 

Given the popularity of the optical disks, and their many advantages, their demand has skyrocketed, while their price has plummeted. The incidents of data loss have naturally gone up, and there have been new solutions launched to solve data loss cases from optical disks. This is what is discussed in detail below. 

 

How Data is Lost from CDs

 

Data can be lost from the CD through the following means.

 

·          Virus: Like all digital media, the CD is susceptible to viruses. Apart from corrupt audio or video files, data CDs can be a real pain too. Rewritten CDs, stuffed with randomly saved files from various internet sources will also usually have a virus or two.

 

·          Bad Make: Mass manufacture has not only made CDs affordable, but also created loads of bad disks. They have been inherent manufacturing defects, resulting in damage or corrupt ion of files, and have a shorter life span.  

 

·          Hardware Failure: The hardware may fail while a CD is being recorded; the hard disk may even crash with the CD still spinning in its drive. The disk will be stuck in its tray, and some data may not have recorded at all.

 

·          Scratches: Increased mishandling is leading to physical damage through scratches. If the shiny surface where the information has been recorded gets physically damaged, you can’t get the data back again. 

 

·          Blanking: This is a trait peculiar to the CD RW. A disk needs to be blanked before it can be rewritten yet again. There are two ways of blanking – fast and full blanking. In the first case, some space is quickly cleared creating enough space for new data. In full blanking, everything is removed – so if you do it mistakenly – it’s a bad idea.

 

How Data is Lost from DVDs

 

Data is lost from DVDs much in the same ways.

 

·          Bad handling is once again the commonest ways of losing data. People leave their disks in other drives and go home, insert them badly, or write on the wrong side. Not all readers are compatible with all formats and speeds of DVDs, and this needs to be checked before pushing it in.

 

·          Manufacturing defects are catching up with DVDs too. Given the pressure of distribution, it is not possible to meet the exact requirements for cheap disks anymore. So, the disk may not be able to record to its full capacity, reproduce the promised audio visual quality, and develop bad sectors quite easily.

 

·          Like all digital media, the DVD too is open to virus infection, and can carry it to the system where it is next run.

 

·          Data loss may happen if the power gets switched off with the disk running inside, or the hard disk crashes while the DVD is being recorded. 

 

·          Other mechanical problems like manufacturing defect of the DVD tray, cables not plugged in rightly, overheating through malfunctioning fan or overuse will cause data loss to various extents.

 

How to Recover Data from Them

 

There are three ways of recovering data lost from CDs and DVDs.

 

·          The most popular method is to use DIY software as downloaded from the net and recover any data lost through logical means. Hardware and mishandling problems will not be rectified through this.

 

·          The second option is to call for the services of a professional data recovery firm. This happens only when the disk contained very important data that is worth the cost of recovery.

 

·          Finally, one may rebuild the lost data from backups, provided they exist.   

 

 

How Helpful is DIY Software?

 

It depends on the wisdom of the consumer to make DIY recovery software useful. You need to check out the effectiveness of the software, the reputation of the company vending it, and whether it suits your purpose at all or not before buying it. Careful shopping does yield good results with DIY.

 

Precautions to Prevent Data Loss

 

How can you prevent data loss from optical disks?

 

·          Be very careful while handling them.

 

·          Do not pry them out if they get stuck in the drive.

 

·          Try not to shut the computer while they are still running.

 

·          Buy disks from good brands.

 

·          Take regular backups of very important data. You may even save it online by mailing it to yourself if bulk permits.

 

·          Do not copy downloaded files before running a virus scan.