Bad DVD due to nicks and scratches

[gthorley]

Am trying to backup the grandkids DVD's as they keep messing with them and scratching them. One is very bad and when DVD Dycryptor trys to decrypt it can only get to VTS_04_4.VOB then it keeps giving me "failed to read sector xxxxxx - unrecovered read error" and also "unknown positioning errors" and it takes hours to keep going even though I have set no retry.

Is there anyway to copy the disk and then burn it losing the damaged areas?

[stiltman]

have you tried one of those disc cleaners?
have you tried toothpaste or wax?

[lordsmurf]

Some places have started to re-finish discs with advanced methods.

[piano632]

Try Fellowes CD/DVD Scratch Repair Kit availlable at OfficeMax. It uses a chemical-soaked cloth to soften up the plastic on the disc just enough to smooth out the scratches. I've used it on "public library quality" CDs and was able to completely remove all scratches. Haven't used it on DVDs yet, but it should be the same. Works much better than all those polishes, waxes, Skip Doctor machines, etc.

[u2m93]

i believe something like the cd/dvd repair kit might help you(http://www.calibrecomputing.co.uk/acatalog/media_accessories.html)

[Sabro]

Prolly one of the best disc repair kits I've found around is the line of products (Disc Dr, Game Dr.....) from Digital Innovations.

I have the motorized unit and unless the disc is very badly damaged it'll do a hell of a job on it. I've even saved discs that were badly scratched enuff to be able to copy it off to another one where it couldnt even be read before.

[steptoe]

You could try turning on 'ignore errors' I've done this with a couple od problem DVD's, it will still log how many errors there were, it just won't do anything about it

If there are too many errors, then you may have to try repairing it using one of those DVD repair kits, they have very good reviews, I can't comment on them but they are supposed to be very good at what they do



What about trying BlindWrite, thats supposed to be good for copying badly damaged CD's or DVD's

[noki]

gthorley
try an automotive polish for car finishes. do NOT use rubbing compound; too abrasive. works alot faster than toothpaste (the opague type, NOT gel). have rescued lots of discs using this method.
Also alot of viewers here swear by a metal polish named BRASSO. it is used to polish fine silver, brass, etc. Can be had from your local Ace Hardware store, Home Depot, Loew's...

good luck.

[lordsmurf]

I've seen Disc Doctor and others destroy more discs than they've fixed. Horrible stuff. It creates more refractions on the plastic lower.

[Sabro]

I've seen Disc Doctor and others destroy more discs than they've fixed. Horrible stuff. It creates more refractions on the plastic lower.

I've used it to grind over 350+ disc (since I mainly resell alot of PSX & PS2 games), and have yet to have one 'destroyed' or even damaged. This includes CDs, PSX & PS2 games, and DVDs with (knock on wood) 100% rate so far.

Now in some cases, it didnt remove all the scratches, however saved them since at first they couldn't even be read, now they operate perfectly!

Sabro

[JamesB69]

The key to that disc doctor is putting enough of the liquid on, else it can easily destroy the disc. I know they sell refills of the stuff, but i've read somewhere that distilled water works fine for it...