Do you keep DVDs and CD-ROM's even after they get scratched and can't be used?

United States
September 11, 2007 3:02am CST
Whenever I pay a lot of money for a DVD or CD-ROM, I have trouble throwing it out, once it becomes scratched up and unusable. For some reason, I keep holding out hope that they will invent a way to "fix" the scratches. Not sure they have yet. So, now I have a big pile of scratched DVDs and CD-ROMS that are no longer usable, cluttering up my office cabinets. I know that one day I will get around to throwing them out or fixing them, till then they are a real nuisance and reminder of how much money I wasted. Do you keep DVDs and CD-ROM's even after they get scratched up and can't be used? Do you think it's even harder to throw out a really expensive CD-ROM or DVD, versus something that you only paid a dollar for?
3 people like this
17 responses
@Pompon (1757)
• Poland
11 Sep 07
No, I just get rid of them. They're useless anyway. But how is it possible to have so many cds and dvds that were damaged enough they're not readable anymore? Are you sure you take care of them well?
1 person likes this
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
11 Sep 07
Here in China, we have sales promotion activities to recycle VCD, DVD player and also washing-machines, fridges and fans etc. When this sales promotion activity is held, you can go and get a new one with some lower price for a new one because the discount is given already when you bring with you the old and unwanted similar stuff for the same products. Do you have such sales promotion activities in the US? It would be a good idea for those unwanted to go where they are supposed to.
1 person likes this
@livvy092002 (1032)
• Philippines
12 Sep 07
Actually, yes i do! I don't know why but i really don't know what to do with them! I don't expect them to be fixed because i guess i have just accepted in myself that they will never be fixed anymore, but then, i guess i am thinking of ways on how to recycle them.. i have seen other people use them as decorative item in their crafts but i am figuring out what will i make out of those scratched, unuseable cds, dvds..
@Nardz13 (5055)
• New Zealand
11 Sep 07
Hi there. I usually throw them out once they become scratched and unusable, for me, I think theres no point in holding onto things and hourding alot of useless CD's or DVD's, throw them out and make room for new ones, is what I say...
@laurika (4532)
• United States
20 Sep 07
They can be usable.Try to put some totthaste on cooton ball and apply on your CD.It would fix them and scratches would vanish.I find this tip on one magazine and my partner tried it and it worked.Hope it could help you too.
• China
12 Sep 07
When someone ask me to choose, i give no answer. I spent lot of money and time in taking CD and DVDs. I like to watch and have them because it is my choose. When it becomes unusable, i let it where it used to be. It is memory of mine which can remind me in my life. Of course there is no difference whether it is expensive or not. I like something, so i do.
• United States
11 Sep 07
I use a Disk Doctor for scratches. It works great and it's saved us a ton of money not having to replace disks. I've had it for about 5 yrs now. I used it on a bunch of disks that someone dumped off in a box where my husband works. They just put the box next to the dumpster and he spotted it when he took out the trash. All of the disks were badly scratched. We put them all in the disk doctor and saved more than half of them. The rest were too far gone but hey, we got about 10 music disks for free, I'm not going to complain! LOL
@cynddvs (2948)
• United States
11 Sep 07
I used to hold on to things like that thinking that one day I could get them to work. But since we got a cd repair kit if that doesn't fix the problem I will just toss it. I don't like holding onto things anymore.
• United Arab Emirates
11 Sep 07
I try to keep all my DVD's safely and scratchproof. If there is any scratch or the DVD or CD is not usuable I give it to my 3yr old son who has a hobby of collecting the DVD's and keepint it. May be one day he will throw it away. But, for time being he is managing the old DVD's and CD's. If there is only a few scratch then i clean with plain water and tissue paper then it works. I have found that DVD are safe when kept in DVD boxes. When kept in individual paper covers it gets spoiled soon. This is from my experience.
@bowtieguy (5915)
• United States
11 Sep 07
I have a little machine that I use to get the scratches out, but if it is beyond repair then I will pitch it.
@ice2cool (53)
• India
11 Sep 07
Hello Dear I do keep dvdz and CD-rom. the main thing is if u have paid for those stuffs then dont let it waste. just try to get work outta those stuffs. Throwing is not only the solution.. think twice. make proper work outta them...but @ some stage i u feel that the cd or dvd will get curropted then just make a fresh copy!! Simple... Take care
• Pakistan
11 Sep 07
Well...I have this habit of mine to do artistic and creative work.I too had a large pile of them once in my room but last month,we were having an annual software competition in our university and I came up with an idea of utilizing them.I and my friends just simply beat the hell out of those CDs and DVDs by putting them to use for abstract decoration...like putting them side by side on a large cloth and focusing light on them...and guess what,we sent a proposal to the whole university that we would offer a can of Pepsi and a Chips to everyone who would bring us 20 scratched CDs and we utilized them all...So,try coming up with an idea of using them instead of throwing them as the last resort... Take care.
@Serellyn (19)
• Netherlands
11 Sep 07
I know exactly how you feel, I don't get rid of them either. Not even on discs that don't work at all anymore. Not that I use a lot of discs anymore, most of the things that I buy on dvd/cd, I will copy to my computer also to make sure I will always have it.
@Mik3lot (17)
• Romania
11 Sep 07
yes...it's a sentimental problem :)
• Canada
11 Sep 07
What I understand that it is hard to throw things out after I've paid a lot of money for them, if they are scratched and broken and no longer of use to me, I see no sense in keeping them. The money has already been spent, and when they are broken they are useless to me, so why bother keeping them?
• United States
11 Sep 07
i actually dont have any cd's or dvd's that are that badly scratched up as to be unplayable. i do however have some music cassettes (remember those lol) and VHS movie tapes that are my favorites and are still playable but dont do it very well. i have one cassette tape that threatens to be eaten by the tape player so seriously that i dont even try anymore..i really should see if i can find it on cd lol.
@zabawaus (1730)
• United States
11 Sep 07
Hi beautyqueen, If you cannot get rid of your CDs and DVDs why don't you just make them work again :D Here i've seen that video a month ago and thought it is interesting. It shows how can you make you work all your CDs and DVDs again. But you will need a banana :D Not joking just watch and let me know what you feel. Have a great day!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_Sx_OzGZ_U