Alan Lofft
Alan Lofft was, for 13 years, Editor in Chief of Sound & Vision, Canada's largest and most respected audio/video magazine. He edited Sound & Vision (Canada) until 1996, when he moved from Toronto to New York to become Senior Editor at Audio magazine.
Lofft has been writing about hi-fi and video professionally for over 20 years, ever since his first syndicated newspaper column, "Sound Advice", began appearing weekly in The Toronto Star, Canada's largest-circulation daily newspaper. In the late 1970s, he became a contributing editor, columnist, and equipment reviewer at AudioScene Canada, the leading national consumer electronics magazine at the time.
He also wrote on consumer electronics for Maclean's magazine and made occasional appearances on TV on "Canada AM," the national CTV morning show, and on June Callwood's national afternoon TV talk show.
In 1983, he was appointed editor of Sound Canada magazine, which he relaunched in 1985 as Sound & Vision, incorporating video content and reviews as well as hi-fi and audio features. He also became a contributing editor to Stereo Review in New York, and an audio columnist for Music Express, a Canadian rock magazine.
An audio and electronics enthusiast from childhood, Alan began building vacuum-tube hi-fi gear for his father, who was an audiophile in the 1950s. Lofft's passion for audio continued through college, during which time he hosted and produced "On Campus", a radio show taped on location (on a portable Ampex 650 open-reel recorder) at Wilfrid Laurier University and broadcast locally in Kitchener, Ontario.
FAQs
Apply a very thin coat of Vaseline, chap-stick, liquid car wax, neutral shoe polish, or furniture wax to the CD's playing surface. Let the wax sit in the scratches for a few minutes—remember, the idea is for the wax to fill in the scratch so it can be read again. Wipe away the excess wax.
How do you fix a badly scratched CD? ›
Simply squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto a soft cloth, and gently rub it into the scratch in a circular motion. Make sure to use non-abrasive toothpaste, such as baking soda toothpaste, and rinse the disc thoroughly with water when you're done.
How to repair a CD that won't read? ›
Clean the disc using a soft lint-free cloth and a dab of warm water and mild detergent. This is the most reliable fix, as it is the most common. You wouldn't believe how much trouble greasy hands and food residue can cause!
Does toothpaste work on scratched CDs? ›
Fortunately, scratches are more common on the reflected side, and that's where toothpaste comes in handy. The laser that reads the CD needs to bounce evenly off the smooth, reflective surface. Toothpaste is just abrasive enough to wear down scratched areas to a smoother surface.
Can you recover data from a scratched CD? ›
However, scratched or damaged discs can make the data inaccessible. A professional data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Windows can safely recover data from a damaged optical media using advanced scanning algorithms.
Does rubbing alcohol fix scratched CDs? ›
In general, avoid using organic solvents. Harsher solvents (acetone, benzene) will dissolve the polycarbonate and damage the disc beyond repair. Mild solvents (isopropyl alcohol, methanol), however, may be used. These mild solvents evaporate quickly and will not dissolve the polycarbonate.
Why does toothpaste remove scratches? ›
The majority of abrasives within toothpaste are made from chalk or silica, such as calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, sodium metaphosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, and zirconium silicate, which, when applied to wet microfiber cloths, act as light-grit sandpaper for removing scratches.
What causes a CD not to read? ›
A dirty or scratched disc surface is the most common reason for a CD/DVD issue when inserted into a computer. Check the disc for damage and confirm that the disc is compatible with your computer. Clean the disc and check for damage: Clean any dust or smudges from the disc with filtered water and a lint free cloth.
How do I restore a CD that skips? ›
Use a few drops of a gentle, grease-fighting dish soap if your CD won't stop skipping. Keep wiping the CD from the center toward the outer edge, then wipe it down again using a clean towel wet with plain water. The dish soap will help remove any tough grime to really clean out the grooves of your CD.
How do I make a CD not readable? ›
Wrap the discs with plastic wrap and then fold it until it breaks. Shred the discs with a disc shredder. Cut the discs. You can use a pair of scissors, but be careful as the foil will flake.
Wax the scratches.
Apply a very thin coat of Vaseline, chap-stick, liquid car wax, neutral shoe polish, or furniture wax to the CD's playing surface. Let the wax sit in the scratches for a few minutes—remember, the idea is for the wax to fill in the scratch so it can be read again.
What can I do with old scratched CDs? ›
Decluttr is an online website that will gladly buy used CDs. They will even buy you used CDs if they have scratches. You can also donate your CDs by dropping them off at the local library or local non-profit group. This is the only other way of disposing of old CDs.
Is there a way to fix scratched cds? ›
Squeeze toothpaste onto the disc and rub it on the disc in a straight motion from the center out to the edges. If the CD is badly scratched, repeat that process several times. Let it dry completely, then wash off the toothpaste, and carefully dry the disc.
How to make unreadable CD readable? ›
Step 1: Prepare a tube of toothpaste, Vaseline or liquid car wax or Scratch Out. Step 2: Cover a thin layer of toothpaste, Vaseline or Scratch Out on the scratched CD/DVD. Step 3: Wipe disc in a radial motion: inside - outside with a clean and soft lint-free cloth.
How to fix a CD that won't play? ›
The Compact Disc (CD) Won't Play
- Make sure that the disc is inserted correctly with the label side up.
- Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the disc. ...
- Reinsert the disc, and then press the PLAY button to see if the disc plays. ...
- For disc players with a HOLD switch, make sure that the switch is set to the OFF position.
If your CD is skipping, you can give it a proper clean using a clean microfiber cloth. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before beginning. If you have tougher grime, add a small amount of isopropyl alcohol. Swipe from the center of the CD to the edge to avoid scratching it.
Will magic eraser remove DVD scratches? ›
While I am not sure what Miracle cloth is, Magic Eraser products will work because they are made of the same material that the data layer is made up of-with the exception of slight heat. Using it in circular way from center to outer slowly and gently should wipe out any scratches up to moderate.
Does scratching a CD make it unreadable? ›
An effective method to destroy the data on a CD or DVD is by adding a deep scratch to its optical surface. To ensure the disc becomes unreadable, it's important to scratch near the disc's center, where the volume descriptor is located.
