CD ROM

Mastering and imaging software makes a CD bootable. Dirt is the biggest enemy of CD drives. Scratches, dirt, finger prints and other contamination are the main causes of problems with CD. Clean the CD with a soft cloth, start from the centre and emanate towards the edge radially. CD drive reads CD ROM optically using LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated
Emission of Radiation) of 780 nm wave length. While writing, the high powered Laser burn the dye coated over the gold reflective layer. Thus it is called burning a CD. When burned dye changes from reflective to non reflective state. CD RW can be rewritten at least 1000 times with packet writing software.

The top surface of the disc is more fragile as lacquer coating is of the order of 6 to 7 micrometre. So don't write on CDs using ball point pen, use felt tip pens. When the read lens of CD drive become dirty, it can give read errors. Lens cleaner CDs are useful.

Most DVDs are ATAPI (ATA packet interface) uses 40 pin dual ATA cable. Universal interfaces like USB or Firewire are more efficient. USB 2.0 is a high speed USB.

Restarting the computer is a magic cure for all.