D-I-Y CD data recovery via overspraying the lacquer layer?

I can't see how it will make any difference. The disc should be shielded from extraneous light while in the player. I'd try getting a friend to read it and copy it for you - players, even of the same make, tend to vary somewhat in what they will tolerate.

Hi Dave

Fair point about the extraneous light, and you may well be correct. I'm thinking more of trying to improve the reflection from the pits (cf the lacquer?? - must check up on this bit).

Forgot to mention that I've tried to read it in a number of readers already.

Jon

Data recovery software?

Have you tried using something like Linux instead of Windows to read it? It is often more forgiving of errors and will let you copy more data off.

Alex

Hi Alex

Yep, tried that (using dd etc.). I can't remember what error I got ... must have another look.

The data is old emails in MS .pst format, so unfortunately it probably needs complete files recovered to wor.

Has the bottom surface got any visible damage that might be causing problems ? - you can get them "skimmed and polished" for a couple of quid...

If the dye layer has deteriorated though, you might be knackered :-(

Have you tried any other drives ? - a newer drive might be more sensitive and able to retrieve the data.

Have you tried any writers? They tend to be better at reading than readers.

The message from "dennis@home" contains these words:

As do DVD drives. They seem to be built to higher standards.

You might want to try this bit of freeware:

In message , jkn wrote

What about trying to manually reduce the read speed of the CD ROM drive? Slower reads may give better read results.

Your burning software may come with such a support utility or you may find something on the web.

Exactly the point I was indenting to make. "indenting" ?? "INTENDING" !! WTF is wrong with my typing this year?

There was something in the tech news* several months ago about tape copy being a much safer format than home cut CD and DVDs**. The problem is that the dyes used decay or something like that.

You can get some scratched CDs to work by repolishing the bottom face with Brasso or something. That's if the scratches don't go through to the dye. But if the light is traveling through the CD, what would be the point of having it reflected back by a coat of paint that holds no info?

Well, not IME. Last time I checked my collection, I found no errors that were not there when the disks were authored. (I store checksums of all files on the disk, so checking is simply a matter of dropping them into the drive) These vary up to 10 years old.

Absolutely none of my floppies of that vintage will read without multiple errors.