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Quick Reference Guide for Care and Handling
from
Care and Handling of CDs and DVDs:
A Guide for Librarians and Archivists
by Fred R. Byers
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Do:
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1.
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Handle discs by the outer edge or the center hole.
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2.
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use a non-solvent-based felt-tip permanent marker to mark the label side of the disc.
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3.
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Keep dirt or other foreign matter from the disc.
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4.
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Store discs upright (book style) in plastic cases specified for CDs and DVDs.
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5.
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Return discs to storage cases immediately after use.
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6.
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Leave discs in their packaging (or cases) to minimize the effects of environmental changes.
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7.
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Open a recordable disc package only when you are ready to record data on that disc.
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8.
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Store discs in a cool, dry, dark environment in which the air is clean.
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9.
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Remove dirt, foreign material, fingerprints, smudges, and liquids by wiping with a clean cotton fabric in a straight line from the center of the disc toward the outer edge.
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10.
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Use CD/DVD-cleaning detergent, isopropyl alcohol, or methanol to remove stubborn dirt or material.
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11.
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Check the disc surface before recording.
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Do Not:
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1.
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Touch the surface of the disc.
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2.
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Bend the disc.
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3.
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Use adhesive labels.
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4.
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Store discs horizontally for a long time (years).
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5.
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Open a recordable optical disc package if you are not ready to record.
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6.
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Expose discs to extreme heat or high humidity.
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7.
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Expose discs to extremely rapid temperature or humidity changes.
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8.
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Expose recordable discs to prolonged sunlight or other sources of ultraviolet light.
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9.
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Write or mark in the data area of the disc (the area the laser "reads").
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10.
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Clean by wiping in a direction going around the disc.
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For CDs especially do not
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1.
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Scratch the label side of the disc.
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2.
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Use a pen, pencil, or fine-tip marker to write on the disc.
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3.
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Write on the disc with markers that contain solvents.
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4.
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Try to peel off or reposition a label.
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