CD : Computer Hardware Buyers’ Glossary

CD: CDROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) or sometimes CD-ROM (Compact Disc — Read Only Memory). Computer programs come written on discs that look just like ordinary audio CDs. They can hold about 600 MB of data, or the equivalent of 400 floppy diskettes. A computer CD-ROM drive is much like one in a home stereo, except that it spins 2×, 4×, 8×, 12×, 16× or even 48× as fast. The speeds are exaggerated. They only apply to the outermost track and in burst mode. In practice drives won’t be anywhere near as fast as advertised. The faster it spins, the faster data can be read. With the appropriate cable, you can even play audio CD (Compact Disk)s on a computer CD-ROM drive. Digital CDs can be read, but not written on. This means there is no practical way to brand them with your name, or even with a serial number. Often a magic password comes with a CD, on a piece of paper you are bound to lose. Without the password, you can’t install (or re-install) the software. Use a red Sharpie fine tip permanent marker to write the password/serial number/key on the top side of the CD where you can’t lose it. Don’t apply any sort of sticky label since it may come off inside the drive, unless it is specially designed for CDs. The two most common kinds of CD-ROM are SATA (Serial ATA), EIDE (Extended Integrated Drive Electronics) and SCSI (Small Computer System Interface). Unfortunately there are also several other proprietary types that cause nothing but trouble often bundled with sound cards.
If you borrow a CD from the library, and it skips, stalls, repeats etc., try cleaning it with some Windex. Wipe it clean with a microfibre cloth. Look at the surface at an angle to highlight the scratches and fingerprints to clean. If that does not work, make a copy of the CD with your computer and play that in your CD player. Computer CD readers are generally more patient and more clever at dealing with flaws that the players on audio equipment. Often you then have a perfect CD to play. If you have any CD causing trouble, copy it while you still can. This results in a new perfect master.

Be careful discarding CDs. They may contain passwords, bank accounts, credit card info, identity theft info… A heavy duty shredder will destroy them.

backup
Burning CDs programmatically in C++
CD burning
CD cleaning
CD ripping
CD-R
CD-RW
donut maker
DVD
DVD case
LightScribe
multiread
recordable
recycling and shredding CDs
rewriteable
ripping and burning CDs
Sharpie fine tip permanent marker
UDF

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