[clug] Recovering old CD-Rs

[Scott Ferguson]

On 19/02/15 14:13, Paul Rands wrote:
>> Hmm. How do you override the cdrom's native speed in Linux?
>>
>> To find maximum supported speed:-
>> eject -X /dev/sr0
>>
>> e.g.:-
>> $ eject -X /dev/sr0
>> 52
>>
>> To set speed:-
>> eject -x 1 /dev/sr0
>>
>> Format:-
>> eject -x <speed> <device>
>> eject -X <device>
>>
>> NOTES: eject will try default devices - if it fails, supply it with the
>> correct device; a speed of "0" is maximum; speed settings only apply for
>> that disc. For permanent speed control see hdparm.
>>
>> Ref: man eject
> 
>  Oh man this will be so handy. I lost a crapload of discs to heat in my
> storage unit in Tamworth years ago, I still have them in the hope that
> one day something like this came along.

I hear that. A lot.  :/
For which reason I have a dedicated box for recovering data from
client's optical discs.

Caveats: A useful "niceness" for CD/DVD reading renders other system
processes unusable when trying to recover data from damaged discs. But
there isn't a lot of resources required to do the work, so an old server
box (HP Kayak in my case) stuffed with SATA, SCSI, and IDE PCI cards to
control a number of optical readers, with a hefty PS, is perfect for the
time consuming task.

I have 'considered' building a "CD re-polisher" for some time - it now
sounds like there 'might' be demand for it.

I'm also interested in hacking a high-end DVD writer, especially a
LightScribe, so that precision laser placement can be controlled (JTAG
connect/BusPirate or by directly accessing the stepper motors) for data
recovery. I've "fiddled" a little with HDD controllers but CD/DVD drive
controllers are still way down on my to-do list :(
If anyone knows any useful (relevant) references please post them.


> 
> Thanks so much for this.

I'm happy to help.

> 
> ---
> --
> Paul Rands
> lists at paulrands.com
> 


Kind regards