Hard drives and optical media used for data storage today are operating with moving parts inside the device. This design is flawed due to many reasons, but as long as we’re forced to use this technology there will be data losses due to damage of the moving parts.

Hard disk drives are utilizing a technology where the head hovers over a magnetically treated disk surface to read data as blocks pass through under. This is similar to the technology optical drives use, but these use a little more sophisticated way of writing and reading data.

A laser beam is pointed at the spinning optical disk and from the reflection the device decides what state the reflecting spot was in. This way you can read data from the media without putting anything near the surface. This still doesn’t guarantee that your data will be safe and sound once you’ve written your DVD.

Safety of the data relies on safety of the media. Most people don’t really care about this, they think there are advanced data protection methods utilized in order to keep their data safe. While they’re right, this is not a 100% solution. Most people put the dvd with the reflecting side up and this is wrong.

If you put the DVD with printed side down, you put the reflecting surface right against the desk or wherever you put it. This is a really really thin layer and it can be scratched easily. On the other face of the DVD however, where it’s shiny there is a layer of plastic. Tis makes up for most of the thickness of a dvd and is designed specifically to protect the important side of the dvd.

Put it with plastic down, if you really have to, but I’d suggest you put it right into the DVD case.

CD data recovery is possible when either of the surfaces are scratched. If the plastic side is scratched, you’re most probably fine after some polishing, but I’d still call the professionals. They make a living off doing this and that means they’re probably better at it than I am.

Cd data recovery experts can get your data back from your optical media whether it’s damaged or there is a software issue, but you’ll be charged for something in the hundreds. This is why storing important data that is worth you more than a hundred dollars on a separate media.

I’d say online data backup services that are free are a great place to store your files, because it’s easy, fast and you’re going to be able to reach files wherever there is internet. It probably doesn’t solve your problem right now, but take your first data recovery fee as the fee for your studies.

Back up, it’s cheaper than trying to salvage bits and pieces from a seriously damaged media.