Repair Scratched DVDs/CDs
The procedures here are to repair scratched DVDs, scratched Cds, scratched game discs or for cleaning up dirty, scuffed or marked DVDs.
There are three general schools of thought on how to approach CD or DVD scratch repair and this includes game disc scratch repair as well.
There are three general schools of thought on how to approach CD or DVD scratch repair and this includes game disc scratch repair as well.
This is generally how I approach the problem... Mileage may vary!
If the problem disc you have is failing to play in a standard DVD player then absolutely the first thing you need to do is try the same disc in the DVD reader of a computer.
Computer DVD ROMs are purpose built to read and write DVDs or CDs ONLY. They have no other purpose and because of that they are much better than the average DVD player in their ability to read through errors on problem discs.
There is more information provided on this page at DVD Disc Repair.
If the problem disc you have is failing to play in a standard DVD player then absolutely the first thing you need to do is try the same disc in the DVD reader of a computer.
Computer DVD ROMs are purpose built to read and write DVDs or CDs ONLY. They have no other purpose and because of that they are much better than the average DVD player in their ability to read through errors on problem discs.
There is more information provided on this page at DVD Disc Repair.
The software I try is either Nero 9, DVDFab or Isobuster to check to see if the disc will copy before I do anything else.
*Also, if I have used one of the scratch repair methods on the other pages I check to see the results first using such software before going to the next, heavier repair method.
*Also, if I have used one of the scratch repair methods on the other pages I check to see the results first using such software before going to the next, heavier repair method.
If software copying techniques to recover from the scratched disc have failed then we are down to repairing the disc surface and then trying to copying.
Before you start you may feel better about some of these more drastic solutions to scratched DVDs if you have a better understanding of exactly what it is that you are doing.
The main thing to keep in mind is that you are not actually undertaking some highly technical DVD scratch repair operation requiring a college degree.
A DVD is just a burning surface made of a special dye that is sandwiched in between two pieces of clear polycarbonate plastic. The label sits on the outside of one side.
Before you start you may feel better about some of these more drastic solutions to scratched DVDs if you have a better understanding of exactly what it is that you are doing.
The main thing to keep in mind is that you are not actually undertaking some highly technical DVD scratch repair operation requiring a college degree.
A DVD is just a burning surface made of a special dye that is sandwiched in between two pieces of clear polycarbonate plastic. The label sits on the outside of one side.
So, these techniques are nothing more than instructions on how to clean, polish or re-surface a piece of clear polycarbonate plastic...pure and simple!
The points to remember are that it is a piece of plastic and it is easy to scratch (if you are reading this you probably know that already!) so the key is to be conservative in your approach.
The points to remember are that it is a piece of plastic and it is easy to scratch (if you are reading this you probably know that already!) so the key is to be conservative in your approach.
DVD Repair Software
DVD / CD Scratch Recovery Methods
The first method of CD DVD scratch repair does not involve repairing the disc in the first place and is by far the safest route to take.
The method I use and the software recommended is further down this page.
The other two methods involve physically repairing the damaged disc surface itself. One involves "home remedies" to fix scratched DVDs and the other uses scratch repair machines designed for the job.
You can check out the "home remedies" here Repair Scratched Cds DVDs
And you can take a look here for the page on CD DVD Disc Repair Machines.
The method I use and the software recommended is further down this page.
The other two methods involve physically repairing the damaged disc surface itself. One involves "home remedies" to fix scratched DVDs and the other uses scratch repair machines designed for the job.
You can check out the "home remedies" here Repair Scratched Cds DVDs
And you can take a look here for the page on CD DVD Disc Repair Machines.
Additionally, the DVD reading software on a computer will also be much better in its ability to handle DVD disc surface errors.
So I always try the software below first and if the disc can be read successfully I immediately make a copy of the disc.
So I always try the software below first and if the disc can be read successfully I immediately make a copy of the disc.
So, I always take the lazy route first and see if I can simply make a new copy rather than interfere with the surface of the DVD disc itself.
Similarly I only try the physical correction techniques if the software copying method fails and only continue until I can get one of either Nero 9, DVDFab or Isobuster to successfully read the disc.
Similarly I only try the physical correction techniques if the software copying method fails and only continue until I can get one of either Nero 9, DVDFab or Isobuster to successfully read the disc.
The average "run of the mill" DVD software is designed to simply read from and/or write to DVDs whereas the software above has been developed with automatic correction in mind.
They are fully featured in all other aspects of DVD manipulation and you can see the full array of their features here. DVD Copying Software.
They are fully featured in all other aspects of DVD manipulation and you can see the full array of their features here. DVD Copying Software.
A CD is made from the same polycarbonate plastic and is, in fact, more delicate than a DVD because the burning surface is the underside of the label.
If you have a scratched DVD where the scratch is on the label then this does not affect the DVD's playability in any way. The same problem on a CD is fatal and almost always non-recoverable.
If you have a scratched DVD where the scratch is on the label then this does not affect the DVD's playability in any way. The same problem on a CD is fatal and almost always non-recoverable.
Always use a VERY soft cotton or optical grade cloth so that you are not adding to the problem.
Always clean or work the disc over the entire surface, not just the affected area and finish off with straight strokes from inside hole to the outer edge of the disc or vice versa.
Do not rub hard! Gentle persistence always wins out.
If you don't feel confident about any of this then maybe you might want to use a
CD DVD Repair Machine.
Always clean or work the disc over the entire surface, not just the affected area and finish off with straight strokes from inside hole to the outer edge of the disc or vice versa.
Do not rub hard! Gentle persistence always wins out.
If you don't feel confident about any of this then maybe you might want to use a
CD DVD Repair Machine.
If you are feeling confident lets get started! Just click on the link below to the next page and we can start messing around with some DVD scratch repairs!
DVD Repair Tips Home
DVD Disc Repair
DVD Disc Repair P.2
DVD Disc Repair P3
Fix VTS Tutorial
Repair Scratched DVDs
Repair Scratched DVDs P.2
CD DVD Disc Repair Machines
DVD Copying Software
Best DVD Copy Software
DVD Recovery Software
DVD Burning Software
Best DVD Software
DVDFab Review
Nero 9 Review
Merge Combine DVDs
DVDRemake Pro Tutorial
Unfinalized DVDs
What is DVD?
DVD Disc Repair
DVD Disc Repair P.2
DVD Disc Repair P3
Fix VTS Tutorial
Repair Scratched DVDs
Repair Scratched DVDs P.2
CD DVD Disc Repair Machines
DVD Copying Software
Best DVD Copy Software
DVD Recovery Software
DVD Burning Software
Best DVD Software
DVDFab Review
Nero 9 Review
Merge Combine DVDs
DVDRemake Pro Tutorial
Unfinalized DVDs
What is DVD?
