Computer TIP

Repairing a Damaged CDROM

Even when you're careful, CDs can get scratched and become unreliable or unreadable. A few years ago, I read about the Toothpaste Cure. It sounds a bit odd, but I'm told that it has brought many CDROM disks back to life. Here's how it works: First clean the disk with warm water and mild soap to remove any oils from fingerprints or other sources. Dry it with a clean, lint-free towel and see if the disk will work now. If not, bring on the Colgate! Rub the disk gently with toothpaste (the pasty kind, not the gel) in a RADIAL (not circular) motion from the center of the disk to the outside edge. Wash and dry it again and see if it's readable. The idea is that small scratches are buffed out, and some of the polishing agent remains on the disk to fill in any irregularities on the optical surface. Due to the chance that the filler may fall out over time and gum up your CDROM drive, you should make a copy of the repaired disk and discard the original. It doesn't always work, but it's worth a try when the only alterna tive is to throw away a valued disk.

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Cure for insomnia. Move to the edge of the bed and you'll soon drop off.