FAQ #1

FAQ #2

FAQ #3

FAQ #4

FAQ #5

Frequently Asked Questions

by Christopher Dicks, Assistant Audio and Video Conservator, Library and Archives Canada, Music Division

FAQ #1: Frequently Asked Questions on Caring for CDs and Their Longevity

• Can a CD-R be used as a long-term storage medium?
• What are the best CD-Rs to buy?
• What are the best recording practices to use?
• How should I handle my CDs?
• What should I use to label my CDs?
• What are the best conditions for storing my CDs?
• For longevity, is it best to store audio information on a CD-R as a .wav file or as an .mp3 file?
• How do I properly clean a CD?
• Why isn't my CD player or computer reading my CD?
• What is the difference between a DVD and a CD?

FAQ #2: Frequently Asked Questions on Caring for Computer Hard Disks and Diskettes

• How do I preserve computer diskettes?
• What is the lifetime of CDs, diskettes, ZIP disks, hard drives, tapes, etc.?
• If my hard drive won't start up the operating system (such as DOS, Windows or Mac OS) or if it stops spinning permanently, what can I do?
• Can I prevent my hard drive from burning out, making my computer files inaccessible?
• Can I retrieve a file that I have erased? Why or why not? What is the key to success?
• If my computer or program crashes and I haven't saved the file I was working on, how do I retrieve my file?
• If I have created complex files or multimedia files, such as Adobe Acrobat files full of images and tables and things, how can I be sure to retrieve these types of files in the future?

FAQ #3: Frequently Asked Questions on Caring for Electronically Created Media in General

• How do I store, handle and clean media?
• Can I restore my damaged tapes?
• What is the best way to clean CD and DVD discs?
• What can I do with a scratched CD?

FAQ #4: Frequently Asked Questions on Caring for Photographs, Digital Images and Films

• Can I "process" my digital camera photos into glossy prints or slides as I can traditional camera film?
• I have old 8mm films. Can they be transferred to videotape? Which tape is best? IS videotape the best choice?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of storing images digitally as opposed to on film?
• My old photos are cracking, bending and fading. Some are even mouldy. What can I do?

FAQ #5: Frequently Asked Questions on Caring for Video and Audio Recordings

• Why won't my VHS cassette play properly?
• What do I do with my 8mm camcorder tapes or VHS tapes?
• Is it necessary to periodically rewind my VHS tapes?
• How do I preserve and store VHS tapes?
• How long will VHS be around?
• How can I mark VHS tapes and their black cases?
• How can I reuse reel-to-reel audio tape?
• How do I deal with mouldy reel-to-reel audio tapes?
• What types or brands of video and audio tape are most suitable for preservation copying?
• Are there any specific recording formats that I should avoid?
• How do I clean vinyl record albums?
• What is the best way to store 33 1/3 record albums? How do I conserve vinyl record albums?
• How can I transfer some of my old records and get away from that technology, but make it less noisy?