NEC POWERMATE P Manual page 36

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT OPTICAL DISCS
Disc Care
When handling optical discs, keep the following guidelines in mind:
Hold optical discs by the outer edge and the inner hub to avoid damaging the surface.
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Avoid direct contact with the disc's surface.
Avoid scratching or soiling both sides of the disc.
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Do not write on or apply labels to either side of the disc. Never write with a ballpoint on the
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surface of the disc.
Do not use stickers, labels or write on both sides of a disc. Unless you use specific label
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kits, never use a tape or sticky material to label optical discs. Since the data layer of a disc
is right beneath the printed label, writing with a pen can scratch the thin reflective
aluminium coating. Use soft-tip pens especially for re-writable discs that are even more
sensitive.
Do not scratch or polish the label side. The pits and lands (microscopic holes and flat
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areas) that encode the information in the CD are on the label side, and not on the surface
read by the lens. Large scratches on the underside, however, can often be repaired using
special polishing kits. Most of the time, the laser, which focuses on a layer within the clear
base, is able to see past small scratches, in much the same way the human eye can focus
on objects outside when looking through a window.
Keep the disc away from direct sunlight, high temperatures, and humidity.
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Keep optical discs away from high temperatures. Don't subject discs at temperature levels
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exceeding 37°C. Exposure to direct sunlight over long periods easily warps a disc. Low
temperatures are not a hazard, but wait for a stable temperature before loading a disk.
Discs burned using CD-writer drives are more sensitive and should be stored at room
temperature whenever possible.
Moisture does not affect other types of discs, but avoid exposing re-writable discs to
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liquids. In case of accidental spills on discs, rinse it off with lukewarm water and wipe dry
with a soft cloth. Be careful with sticky or oily substances that trap dirt and dust.
Proper cleaning is important to achieve optimal performance. Using a soft, slightly damp
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cloth, wipe the disc from inside the disc and rub outwards. Do not wipe in circles but clean
in the same outward direction. Wiping the label side in circles can scratch a section of the
data track. Slightly dipping the cloth in warm water is enough. Using cleaners and solvents
can do damage.
Since discs are coated with thin layers of aluminium and plastic, avoid using benzene, paint
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thinner, record cleaner, static repellent, or any other chemical to clean the disc. Chemicals
and cleaners can damage the disc.
Optical Disc Drive Care
To get the most from your optical disc drive, keep the following guidelines in mind:
Never forcibly pry open a drive whenever a disc gets stuck. If this happens use the eject
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button. If that fails, ask for professional help.
Avoid excessive dirt and dust build-up on optical discs. Optical discs can tolerate
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accumulated dirt and dust much better than floppy disks since CDs are not read by direct
contact with the read lens. Excessive dirt, however, will eventually affect the drive's
performance. Thoroughly clean the discs whenever necessary.
The Hard Disk Drive
Commonly referred to as the "hard disk" or "hard drive", the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is a
magnetic and non-volatile storage device, and is the primary storage device on your computer.
It stores important files needed to boot your system, as well as program files that allow you to
run software and application.
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