Dealing with bad scratches on DVD

[Ames315]

I'm trying to back up some of my old scratched-up DVDs, but I'm stuck on one where the outside track has a bad scratch that causes lots of CRC errors while trying to read the last VOB file. It still plays (more-or-less) in my DVD player, but all the copying software I've tried either aborts at the first sign of a CRC error (WinXP file copy, DVDShrink, Nero Recode), or bogs down to near-infinite time-to-complete on encountering repeated CRC errors (DVDDecryptor - even with Fast error skip and zero hardware and software retries, ISOBuster - even when told to Ignore errors).

I can recover the first part of the bad VOB file, but I found that having an incomplete or missing VOB file screws up both DVDShrink and Nero Recode so that they can't copy the disc contents with the menu structure intact. I've looked at IFOEdit to try to fix it, but it seems too complicated. Now I'm trying re-authoring the incomplete VOB file as a new IFO/BUP/VOB file set to substitute for the bad track. Looks like that might work and still maintain the existing disc menu structure if I can solve a few other problems.

Has anyone got any other suggestions? I can't believe all this software is so easily stymied by a single scratch!

[GabeB]

Here's a method that has worked for me in the past to fix scratched DVDs.
Rub a little wax (cold) from a candle over the scratch. Clean the DVD with a soft cloth, wax should stay in scratch. Now try reading the damamaged section.

[glockjs]

skip dr actually works pretty well..30 bucks just about anywhere

[bdf24]

I've read the Brasso metal polish is one of the best and cheapest products to clean disks with. It was a while ago but the reviews I read compared them to the best commercial scratch removers on the market and it was even if not better for a fraction of the cost.

[Ames315]

I'm afraid to try scratch removers that might make things worse. Especially since there are several scratches, and I might try to polish the wrong one.

What I need here is software that ignores errors while copying at full speed.

[Gazorgan]

DVDDecryptor, tell it to ignore errors at 2. Could take hours to rip, but I've backed up many a scratched Disney movie.

I personally use toothpastes (the while diatomus kind), 2 fingers, and tepid water. Center to edge motion, not circular. Between several good cleanings/polishes and DVDDecryptor I haven't found a disk yet I couldn't back up (unless it's actually broken).

[neogeosnk]

Brasso kicks ass Been using it for 8 years before the crap doctor came out. Used to sell videogames to all the blockbusters and mom & pop shops. And guess what.. they used this method too. Rub brasso on the disc. Let dry. rub it like waxing a car, especially in the affected area. Then wipe clean. Squirt a small amount of armor all (or generic armoral is what i use) on a rag and rub on disc. The dvd/cd will look almost new. And not have the weird radial circles that the crap doctor leaves. Done over 200 games/cds/dvds using this method and never ruined any of them. Hope this helps!!

[Irkgod]

There is a program that comes with DVD X COPY PLATINUM called DVD X RESCUE its awesome for rescuing completely scratched up dvds the backup that it makes works just as good as the original dvd did before it got scatched to hell

[ice-berg]

hey neogeosnk

do you rub the armor all on all the disk or just the scratched part?

[jesus_verga]

thank you neogeosnk!!!

- brasso and armor-all recovered my trashed copy of "from hell"

saved the disk and $30 for useless "spin doctor"

[Ames315]

I finally decided to brave the scratch-polishing approach after I couldn't find any software solution.

Someone suggested that I try the DOS xcopy /c command to copy the file with "ignore errors", and that actually worked better than the other programs in that it copied the correct VOB file size in a reasonable amount of time. DVDDecryptor's best effort took a *long* time and ended up with a VOB file that was too small and wouldn't work with the disc menu structure. Unfortunately there's no control over the error retries with DOS xcopy, and the resulting correctly-sized file had a lot more video errors that the DVDDecryptor version.

So I tried some brass polish (no apparent improvement), and finally some fine cutting polish intended for polishing scratches out of car paint. That worked! There were still lots of recoverable errors, but now DVDDecryptor was able to read the whole track with zero errors when set for a reasonable number of Retries.

Lots of room for improvement in software error handling here, starting with Windows, which apparently represents a step backward from DOS.

[weaselguy]

i was wondering where do you guys buy Brasso Metal Polish? the online stores really screw you with the shipping charges. any B&M stores that sell it. checked the ususally chain stores like walmart, kmart, lowes, home depot. no luck finding it at any of them.

[MysticE]

Try a local ACE or True Value Hardware store.

[neogeosnk]

U do it on the whole disc. That way the disc doesnt look unevenly worn. The bad scratch detailed by "Ames315" would've eventually come off. If it's a giant gouge, you have to wear the disc down to the level of the gouge. But i recommend no more than 6 times per disc just to be safe. If there is one general scratch on the disc, i tend to rub over that area more than others and it seems to work. There hasn't been a disc that i couldn't fixt! I'm sure the disc doctor people are pissed that u wont be buying their crappy machine. Everyone that i've told about this can't believe how well it works. Brasso can be bought at almost any major grocery store, Walmart and kmart. 1 can will last you for years. I still have the same can i bought 8 years ago... Good Luck and hope this helped out. 8)
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hey neogeosnk

do you rub the armor all on all the disk or just the scratched part?

[Chuffster]

Brasso can be bought at almost any major grocery store, Walmart and kmart. 1 can will last you for years. I still have the same can i bought 8 years ago...

Does anyone know where I can get an 8 year old tin of Brasso?

Seriously though, badly scratched discs are usually not that clean either. Try cleaning them first with METHYLATED SPIRITS to remove any finger prints and grease that has accumulated on the surface and in the scratches. Use a soft lint free cloth, so you don't add some new scratches of your own. Spectacle lens cleaning cloths are the best/safest that I have found. Gently work from the centre outwards to the edge in long straight strokes like plucking the petals of a daisy.

Often this method cleans up the disc enough to make it readable, so try it first before you proceed with more drastic measures.

Lastly some words of WARNING:

• Use any cleaning substances sparinginly and leave NO damp/loose residue (you don't want that stuff spinning off in your inside drive)
• DON'T use your best writer drive, use a cheap DVD-ROM drive which can be easily replaced if $h1t happens. Also prolonged ripping can shorten the life of your drive.
• NEVER use substances that remain on the surface of a disc if it's an R/RW disc you wish to write/erase again. Hot writing lasers and petroleum based waxes spun at high velocity don't mix. It's not called burning a disc for nothing!
• AVOID getting any cleaning substance on the label side. Cleaners mentioned here can also be very effective at removing paint!

[neogeosnk]

Actually i bought a new tin this weekend. Did a badly scratched xbox game from BB and was able to read it afterwards. So it's not the age of the stuff that makes it effective. With brasso you're going to be rubbing any smudges and fingerprints off anyway... so.. why bother with an extra step.

[madwok]

Neogeosnk method of Brasso & Amorall worked for me !!!!

I've successfully "recovered" 4 badly scratched DVD disks that have been tortured by my kids .

Thanks for sharing the tips .

[Chuffster]

Actually i bought a new tin this weekend....So it's not the age of the stuff that makes it effective. With brasso you're going to be rubbing any smudges and fingerprints off anyway... so.. why bother with an extra step.

I was joking about buying old Brasso hence the

Methylated spirit will remove dirt. Brasso leaves a residue which may also leave dirt in the scratches. Still it's academic as this time Brasso has worked for you.

It's good to know a cheap household polish can revive damaged discs better than an expensive DiscDr, so I've changed my sig to spread the word.

[neogeosnk]

Oh killer.. spread the word.

[qwerty111]

what is armor-all?? where can you get this?

[mazinz]

i use a cd scratch remover kit. They do not make your problems worse and have fixed any errors i have encountered. You can re-surface a disc roughly 8-12 times before the plastic layer gets too thin to re-surface again. I would rather do that than have anykind of substance on my disc

[Irkgod]

what is armor-all?? where can you get this?

Armor all is a plastic and vinyl protectant, its meant for use in your cars interior to make it shiny. You can find it almost anywhere....Walmart, auto parts store...etc.

[bdf24]

I thought he was being sarcastic!

[qwerty111]

thanks Irkgod,

I really didn't know as this product is not sold in my country, but other plastic protectant brands are, so I should try those...

[bdf24]

thanks Irkgod,

I really didn't know as this product is not sold in my country, but other plastic protectant brands are, so I should try those...

I guess when you live in one country it's easy to take things for granted. I gotta get out more!

[neogeosnk]

Just a quick FYI. Instead of armorall, lately i've been using 99Cent store tire wipes. Same thing as armor all but only a buck for like 30 wipes. You can usually do 3 discs with one wipe. Hope this helps out..

[noki]

best polish i have used is the auto stuff that is designed for the cleaning clear coat of cars. this is slightly more "abrasive" than the white toothpaste (takes too damn long) but not as abrasive as an auto POLISHING compound. don't use an auto RUBBING compound...really abrasive. bought mine a while ago (maybe 10 years) for $1.00 for 6 oz on sale. should last me 'til year 2044! opps, make that 2088...bought 2 of 'em i do not use any armor-all related stuff. works