Modern hard disks with large volumes satisfy our need to store important information, but not completely. After all, the most necessary data is desirable, duplicated on CD, DVD, or Blu-ray without trusting the computer. Here, the question arises as to how to store disks properly.
CD, DVD, and Blu-ray disks differ in technical characteristics, but their storage requirements differ. First, dust, sun, and mechanical damage should be avoided. Dust accumulates on the disk’s working surface, making it difficult for the disk drive to read the information. Scratches have the same effect, except that dust is relatively easy to remove. In contrast, a scratched disk is expensive to repair and not always possible, even in the most modern service centers.
Under the bright sun, a disk can become warped, after which it will not only stop reading but may even “explode” in the disk drive and damage it. The higher the reading speed, the greater the risk. In addition, the chemicals that make up the disk gradually decompose under the influence of ultraviolet rays. The medium will not rot, but it will no longer be readable.
At first glance, sticky papers with titles seem harmless, but they can lead to disk explosion. They disrupt the balance of the medium, and when spinning in a fast disk drive, such a disk can become dangerous for the computer’s innards. You can sign the non-working side with a special marker, but do not use pens and pencils—they can easily push through all the layers of the disk, damaging the one on which the data is written.
Proper Storage Of Disks
Proper storage of disks is, in principle, quite simple. They do not require a strict temperature regime, preferring the usual room temperature. They can withstand short-term heating up to +55 degrees Celsius.
Usually, they are kept on the nightstand under the TV, on the lower shelves of the closet, or in unique stands. In the latter case, ensuring the stand does not fall in the daytime under bright sunlight is necessary. The humidity in the room where the disks are located should be at most 90%, which is also easy to comply with.
However, inside the system unit, the temperature may exceed the safe threshold for the disk, especially if the computer is powerful and works in a hot room. The dust collected by the unit will not be good for it. So, always remember the media in the disk drive! Permanently remove it immediately after use.
It is often recommended to store each disk in a separate paper envelope. However, these envelopes are inconvenient to use. In particular, when removing a disk, there is a great risk of touching its working surface. Fingerprints are harmful to data carriers. It is better to take them by the edges on both sides. If it is inconvenient, hold the disc with your fingers by the center, by the non-working surface. Generally, CD wallets and DVD cases are the best options of storage. RS offers the best CD wallets and DVD cases to choose from.
The more important the data in the media, the more carefully it should be stored. For example, disks have a much shorter lifespan if you keep them on spindles, especially in arrays of 50-100 pieces. Most of all, the bottom layers will suffer, and they are pressed by the weight of their “neighbors from above.” Besides, finding the correct disk in such a stack is difficult – you can’t see the inscriptions on them, which means you have to go through the whole spindle every time. At the same time, it is easy to scratch and dirty the individual bolts.
