Module # 2.2.1

Protecting Floppy Disks

Getting There

Disks store information magnetically on a thin piece of plastic (except CD-ROM's which use mirrors embedded in plastic.

You should:
protect from dirt
protect from smashing the case
protect from magnetic fields (like speakers, cell phones, monitors and disk drives)
keep in a temperate environment (don't allow them to freeze or get really hot)

CD-ROM's are much more resilient. Protect them from scratching and other physical damage.

Now lets get a few things straight. Floppies and other disks are not dishwasher safe. Nor are they dry-cleanable. They aren't even wash and wear.
They are however, very delicate.

Clean floppy drives using a special floppy drive cleaning kit. Clean CD-ROM drives using (yes you guessed it) a CD-ROM drive cleaning kit.

Clean CD-ROM's using a soft cloth running out from the center toward the edge.

DO NOT CLEAN FLOPPY DISKS!! But, check to make sure the metal door slides easily and is firmly attached before putting it into a computer. If the door is loose, remove it and copy the files on to another floppy.

Exercise #1

Look around the room and think about all the things that could damage your disks.