[tlug] Destroying or Salvaging CDs and DVDs (was Re: Disposing of a hard drive: Destroying Platters)

[jep200404@example.com]

On Sun, 17 Jul 2011 21:08:28 +0900, Kalin KOZHUHAROV <me.kalin@example.com> wrote:

> CDs/DVDs have thick protective coating, ... 

Pressed CDs have the information in middle of the disk, sandwiched 
between two half-thickness plastic disks (not mere coatings). 
One can heavily scratch all surfaces of the disk without losing 
the information inside. Recovery require polishing the bottom of 
the disk. 

CD-Rs have their information on the top side. If one scratches 
the top, the information is gone. Often one can also remove 
patches of that top layer by putting adhesive tape on it, then 
quickly removing it.