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Can't delete data on old CDs
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- Lemon Slice
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Can't delete data on old CDs
I have quite a number of old CDs which I used to use as backups until 15 years or so ago. I now want to dispose of them, preferably deleting the information on them before cutting them up. There's quite a bit of private info that's still relevant on them.
However, when I put them in the D drive I could open the files and folders on them, but for some reason I could not delete anything. If I pressed ‘delete’ on the keyboard nothing happened. And if I right clicked on any individual file or folder the drop-down menu did not have a ‘delete’ option. I wonder if anyone can think where I may be going wrong.
Then, if I cut them up, strictly speaking they are not allowed in our plastics and metal recycling bin.
All comments/advice will be most gratefully received
Jon
However, when I put them in the D drive I could open the files and folders on them, but for some reason I could not delete anything. If I pressed ‘delete’ on the keyboard nothing happened. And if I right clicked on any individual file or folder the drop-down menu did not have a ‘delete’ option. I wonder if anyone can think where I may be going wrong.
Then, if I cut them up, strictly speaking they are not allowed in our plastics and metal recycling bin.
All comments/advice will be most gratefully received
Jon
Re: Can't delete data on old CDs
If these are old data CDs they are likely to be "Write Once" versions aka CD-R rather than the re-writable versions known as CD-RW.
If this is the case then they can't be erased hence the missing delete menu item.
Cut them into little pieces and bin in the normal waste if you cant recycle
If this is the case then they can't be erased hence the missing delete menu item.
Cut them into little pieces and bin in the normal waste if you cant recycle
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- 2 Lemon pips
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Re: Can't delete data on old CDs
Jonetc15 wrote:I have quite a number of old CDs which I used to use as backups until 15 years or so ago. I now want to dispose of them, preferably deleting the information on them before cutting them up. There's quite a bit of private info that's still relevant on them.
However, when I put them in the D drive I could open the files and folders on them, but for some reason I could not delete anything. If I pressed ‘delete’ on the keyboard nothing happened. And if I right clicked on any individual file or folder the drop-down menu did not have a ‘delete’ option. I wonder if anyone can think where I may be going wrong.
Then, if I cut them up, strictly speaking they are not allowed in our plastics and metal recycling bin.
All comments/advice will be most gratefully received
Jon
Some CDs (especially old ones) are write-once, rather than read/write-many, so once written to you cannot delete the contents (just like a vinyl record.)
Cutting them up is sufficient, but if you are really paranoid, take a blow-torch to them. Probably a good idea to split the small fragments over a number of refuse sacks over time.
HTH
kyu66
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Re: Can't delete data on old CDs
PhaseThree wrote:If these are old data CDs they are likely to be "Write Once" versions aka CD-R rather than the re-writable versions known as CD-RW.
If this is the case then they can't be erased hence the missing delete menu item.
Cut them into little pieces and bin in the normal waste if you cant recycle
Very many thanks indeed PhaseThree for such a quick reply, solving my problem. I'm most grateful
All the very best
Jon
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Re: Can't delete data on old CDs
With almost all media, deleting something does not erase it; it merely marks it as deleted. The deleted contents can usually be recovered quite easily if they have not been overwritten.
Cutting a CD in half will stop most people from reading it.
Allow plenty of ventilation if you go the blowtorch or (old, not used for food any more) microwave oven route.
Julian F. G. W.
Cutting a CD in half will stop most people from reading it.
Allow plenty of ventilation if you go the blowtorch or (old, not used for food any more) microwave oven route.
Julian F. G. W.
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- Lemon Slice
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Re: Can't delete data on old CDs
kyu66 wrote:Some CDs (especially old ones) are write-once, rather than read/write-many, so once written to you cannot delete the contents (just like a vinyl record.)
Cutting them up is sufficient, but if you are really paranoid, take a blow-torch to them. Probably a good idea to split the small fragments over a number of refuse sacks over time.
HTH
kyu66
I'm sorry not to have replied to your typically helpful post, kyu66. I had thought of making sure that the shreddings could be drip-fed, but I also like the blow-torch - because I am indeed paranoid...
Many thanks also to Julian F.G.W. for another comment.
All the very best
Jon
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Re: Can't delete data on old CDs
Very many thanks monabri for this (and for your previous post which I haven't thanked you for). An interesting link. I do appreciate your trouble in replying so helpfully.
All the very best
Jon
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Re: Can't delete data on old CDs
If you cut them to multiple peivces they will effectively be in readable etc anyway ?
Then burn them in a fire?
stick them under magnet for a week?
temn feed them to agoat ?
etc etc etc
Then burn them in a fire?
stick them under magnet for a week?
temn feed them to agoat ?
etc etc etc
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- Lemon Half
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Re: Can't delete data on old CDs
didds wrote:If you cut them to multiple peivces they will effectively be in readable etc anyway ?
Then burn them in a fire?
stick them under magnet for a week?
temn feed them to agoat ?
etc etc etc
Magnets don't affect CDs.
https://sciencing.com/do-affect-cds-audio-tapes-5295950.html
Magnets can destroy data. While this is certainly true of the floppy disc and some (very) old hard drives, you might wonder whether it's true of musical mediums such as cassette tapes and CDs. Well, floppy discs were vulnerable to magnetic force because they arranged the data magnetically. As such, understanding the effect of magnets on other mediums requires understanding of how they work.
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How CDs work
A CD uses lasers to playback. Tiny grooves on the surface of the CD are recognized by the laser, which is used to read the grooves. The CD player then interprets the data and translates it as sound. For our purposes, the main difference between the CD and the cassette tape is that magnets are used neither to record nor to playback CDs.
Magnets' Effect on CDs
Magnets have no affect CDs. While a magnet may be attracted to the metal surface of the CD, the magnet can't affect the data on the disc because the data on the disc is not arranged magnetically. While a powerful magnet's attraction to the disc could physically scratch the disc if you're not careful, this can't strictly be called a magnetic effect on the data. You can safely consider your CD collection magnet-proof.
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