Ink Spot on (Operating System)Windows CD Rom

[Olahahacos]

The Installation CD Rom which came with my computer has a 2mm and very dark blue Bic ballpoint pen ink spot between the center and the edge of the CD Rom . Can someone tell me whether the ink spot would affect the installation of the Operating System and how I could remove the spot safely please ? The spot has been on the CD Rom for about 6 months . Thankyou , my first post .

[malcore]

Hard to say really. You could try copying the cd to your hard drive. If you don't have errors when doing so, it's a good sign you may be ok.

May be tough to actually clean it off without using some sort of solvent, which isn't a good idea with a cd. If you can copy it to your drive without error, then consider making a new copy from that.

These instructions (http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp1_cd.htm) can help you do that, just disregard the sp1 slipstreaming.

[Olahahacos]

The installation I did of XP Home Edition was reported as successful so I wont try the copying to hard drive . I think I am thinking copying to the hard drive is the same as installing XP ? If I wanted to do as the article suggested couldn't I copy the Windows folder ? I am probably wrong . I am 8 months into computing . The ink spot probably is not a problem seeing the initial installation being successful . But removing it would be better . Could anyone else give me some advice ? Thankyou Malcore

[malcore]

Copying the contents of the installation cd is not the same as installing windows. You are simply copying the data to the hard drive, not running any setup. And no, just copying the windows folder would not be the same.

It is a common practice to test a cd's reliability and readability to copy it to the hard drive. If you can copy all the data on the disc successfully, without error, then it is a good sign that the cd is fine.

Cleaning an inkspot off of a cd seems difficult to say the least, and using a solvent could damage the disc further.

What I was suggesting is to make an entirely new XP installation cd, by following the instructions above. Once you have the new cd, you can still use the original product key.

In my opinion, this is the best and most reliable way to ensure that you have a working install disc for the future.

[PrntRhd]

I was in Wally World today and saw a "CD Cleaning kit" which consists of a few soft wipes and a little spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol. The instructions were to spritz two pump sprays onto the CD-ROM and wipe from the center to the outside in a radial pattern. I know ink will come off with alcohol, if isopropyl alcohol can safely be used you might just be able to remove the spot on that CD.
:)

[Paleo Pete]

Wally World also sells two types of mechanical CD cleaners. One is hand operated, (called Game Wizard I think) the other electric. Both spin the disk and use a buffing wheel to polish out scratches. The hand operated one works well, I've used 2 of them. I'm planning to get the electric one and try it, since it has an AC adapter it won't require lots of batteries. Either should take out ink spots as well as they do scratches. They cost $24 for the hand operated one on sale, $20 for the electric one regular price. I looked at them 2 days ago. Both use the spray cleaner and have cloth wipes for a final buffing.

[Bumstedmans]

Just a suggestion: DO NOT USE THOSE MECHANICAL CD CLEANERS. I got one a couple of years ago, and tried cleaning a few of my favourite audio CD's (following the directions to a tee) and it completely ruined them. They now wont play on most CD players.

Just use straight alchohol to clean the disc.


-The Bumstedman

[Olahahacos]

Thanks for those replies . I had to give up Chemistry in Form 3 at Grammar School . I posted to other forums as well as this one and someone suggested using Methylated Spirits . I asked a salesgirl at a Chemist shop and told her it was to clean an ink spot off a CD , and she asked the Chemist in his office and came back and gave me the Chemist's recommendation to use Methylated Spirits . She sold me a 250ml bottle of Methylated Spirits with Bitrate 100% for $3.00 New Zealand . On the way home a DVD salesman recommended testing it on something like metal first . At a Video and DVD shop two employees suggested using cotton buds and OK'd the Methylated Spirits and said it was similar to Isopropol Alcohol . With patient rubbing with about seven cotton buds each dipped in the solution and plenty of rubbing the ink spot came off . I am sure the spot had interferred with the installation of the Operating System and after reinstallation the computer is going really well . Thanks , Nicholas

[PrntRhd]

Methylated spirits is grain alcohol (ethyl) with 1-2% methyl alcohol added to make it undrinkable, and has a little water in it too. The bitrate is something to make it even more unpalatable to someone who tries to drink it.
It will work just fine as an ink remover, and might be more potent than the 40-70% Isopropyl rubbing alcohol common in the USA.


:)

[Sylvander]

My PC magazine "Computeractive" recommended as a fix for SCRATCHES on a CD:

To polish the surface with metal polish and as 2nd best, toothpaste!

[Fruss Tray Ted]

You erased the Ink Spots (http://www.group-harmony.com/ink_lbls.htm)? Man, you have no taste in music!!

Speaking of taste, I need to go wash my mouth out with soap. I thought these methylated spirits were 'mentholated' spirits so I gave some a try :eek: Aacckk! Ptooey! Gag! Spit! Cough! Hurl!