
Method 1.
- Buy rubbing polish from an automotive store. Apply a small amount of the compound. Rub it across the radius until it covers the entire surface. Allow ...
- Buy a mechanical scratch remover. This also removes the first layer of disk material and polishes the disk. Insert the DVD and turn the hand crank ...
- Buy a professional DVD scratch polish, such as SkipDr. Apply the product across the radius. Allow it to sit according to package directions, so that ...
- Try basic toothpaste. Get a plain enamel-cleaning paste at your local drugstore. The grit inside toothpaste helps to clean and buff the surface of the ...
Full Answer
How to erase and restore with CD disk?
Windows XP and 2000
- Insert the Windows XP/2000 installation CD in the CD-ROM drive and restart the computer.
- When you see the message "Press any key to boot from CD," press a key on the keyboard.
- Press the Enter key at the Windows XP Setup welcome screen, then press F8 to accept the Terms and Agreements.
How do I repair a broken DVD?
Try these tips:
- Use a CD/DVD writer rather than a reader. Writers are generally more precise and can see the tracks better.
- Where possible, attempt recovery on the same drive that was used to create the disc. ...
- Unable to read the data with your operating system? It's time to employ some recovery tools.
How do you repair a DVD drive?
What can I do to fix DVD & CD Drivers problems?
- Reinstall the DVD/CD driver via Device Manager. Sometimes, Windows may save the driver files incorrectly. ...
- Let’s take a look at the steps you need to follow to manually reinstall a DVD/CD driver in Windows: If you do not have the required driver disc, locate and ...
- Run a scan on your computer using an efficient driver management tool. ...
How to repair damaged CDs or DVDs and recover data?
Part 2: How to Fix a Scratched CD/DVD
- Solution 1: Wax the scratched CD/DVD. This is a temporary solution. ...
- Solution 2: Clean the scratched CD/DVD. Sometimes, your CD/DVD is not scratched really. ...
- Solution 3: Refinish the scratched CD/DVD. ...
- Solution 4: Change the CD/DVD Player. ...

How do you repair a scratched DVD?
5 Ways to Repair a CD or DVDClean the disc using a soft lint-free cloth and a dab of warm water and mild detergent. ... Fill scratches with toothpaste. ... Soften scratches with heat from a 60W lightbulb. ... Fill the scratch with a wax-based product. ... Cover holes in the data layer with pen and tape.
Can broken DVD's be repaired?
You can use wax and polish and sometimes glue and tape to repair a scratched or broken DVD. Deep scratches may not be repairable, and may require professional help. Discs broken into two or more pieces are generally not repairable.
How can I make a DVD readable again?
If you're dealing with a light scratch, you can try using whitening toothpaste. It's not an old wives' tale – it actually works. Apply a tiny amount of paste and use a cloth to gently massage it over the scratch. It might go away completely.
How do you fix a badly damaged disc?
0:082:16How to FIX a Scratched Disc /3 Ways/ [WORKS in 2021] - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake sure to scrub for at least two to five minutes after scrubbing let the wax dry for around 15MoreMake sure to scrub for at least two to five minutes after scrubbing let the wax dry for around 15 minutes make sure it absorbs through all the small cracks and scuffs and scratches.
Does toothpaste fix scratched discs?
Toothpaste is just abrasive enough to wear down scratched areas to a smoother surface. Small scratches and scuff marks are much easier to repair than deep gouges. Some CD repair services can repair the disc with a special buffing machine, but these are hard to use without causing damage.
How does Vaseline remove scratches from CDs?
Remove Scratches From a CD/DVD With Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly)Step 1: Materials. Before you start removing scratches from your CDs and DVDs, you should grab your materials. ... Step 2: Cleaning Time! Now it's time to apply the petroleum jelly. ... Step 3: Remove the Scratches. ... Step 4: Finished!
How do you clean a DVD that won't play?
Clean the DVD Disc First mist the surface of the DVD disc with isopropyl alcohol, then use the microfiber cloth to wipe the alcohol off in straight lines, and rinse the DVD to wash the extraneous materials. Finally, dry the DVD and test it on your DVD player.
How do you fix a scratched DVD with chapstick?
Using Lip Balm (Chapstick) Rinse your disc off with running water. Lip balm often works to fill scratches in game discs. First, remove any excess dirt and grime by rinsing the disc off with running water.
How do you fix a scratched DVD with baking soda?
0:252:09How to Remove Scratches From Any DVD - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd open up your container and place the CD inside your container then pour the soda on it theMoreAnd open up your container and place the CD inside your container then pour the soda on it the baking soda on top of it seal it up give it a little shake I'm set it aside.
Can you reburn a DVD?
DVD-R means the disc is not erasable and cannot be reused although files can be copied to another drive and burned on a new disc.
Can you erase a DVD and reuse it?
You can only reuse DVD-RW discs; DVD-R discs are not rewritable after the disc has been finalized and formatted.
How many times can you rewrite a DVD?
According to Pioneer, DVD-RW discs may be written to about 1,000 times before needing replacement. RW discs are used to store volatile data, such as when creating backups or collections of files which are subject to change and re-writes.
Why can't windows read my disc?
Verify that the optical drive is recognized in Device Manager. Set the Auto-Play settings in windows to defaults. Run the Dell personal computer Diagnostics on the Optical Disk Drive (CD, DVD, or Blu-ray drive) Disable the DMA mode of the optical drive.
How to fix scratches on DVD?
Fix scratches on a DVD if it still won't play by applying a dab of toothpaste (squeeze a bit on your fingertip) with a Q-tip. Work the paste gently into the scratches and across the surface of the disc.
How to clean a disc?
Spray a light mist of window cleaner on the disc. Wipe it off with a clean cloth. Don't use napkins or paper towels, which are coarse and might further scratch the disc.
What to use to clean scratches on disc?
Use a non-abrasive cleaning product such as Brasso if the disc still fails to play, using Q-tips to rub the cleaning product into the scratches.
Why is my DVD player scratching?
Playback problems with a DVD typically are caused by one of four factors: The DVD is dirty and smudged; the laser lens in the DVD player's disc drive needs cleaning; the DVD player no longer is tracking properly; or the disc is scratched .
How to fix a DVD that is damaged?
Decide whether your DVD can be fixed, or whether it has irreparable damage. (For more on this, see above.) 2. Clean the DVD. Use a soft cloth and some very clean water. You can also use alcohol, but many cleaning solvents can damage the discs. ...
How to fix a DVD that has scratches?
Decide whether your DVD can be fixed, or whether it has irreparable damage. As mentioned above, disks with scratches that go deep will not be able to be mended. To assess the damage, hold the disk up in the sunlight. If sunlight shines through the scratch, the DVD is unlikely to be mended.
How to clean a disk of jewelry?
Get a plain enamel-cleaning paste at your local drugstore. The grit inside toothpaste helps to clean and buff the surface of the disk. Apply toothpaste across the radius until the entire disk is covered. Let the toothpaste dry. Then, rinse it clean and buff with your jewelry cleaning cloth across the radius.
How to remove scratches from DVD?
Buy a professional DVD scratch polish, such as SkipDr. Apply the product across the radius. Allow it to sit according to package directions, so that the outer layer of disk will be removed. Rinse and/or buff the disk with the jewelry cloth.
How to polish a car with rubbing polish?
Buy rubbing polish from an automotive store. Apply a small amount of the compound. Rub it across the radius until it covers the entire surface. Allow it to sit for a few minutes. Then, rinse and rub with a soft cloth. Use this product in a well-ventilated area, and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after polishing.
How to clean a DVD player?
Hold the disk from the sides with your non-dominant hand. Then, gently wipe the disk from the center to the edges, across the radius, using the jewelry cloth. Continue wiping around the disk, from inside to outside, until the entire disk has been cleaned. Insert the disk into your DVD player.
Does magic eraser work?
While I am not sure what Miracle cloth is, Magic Eraser products will work because they are made of the same material that the data layer is made up of-with the exception of slight heat. Using it in circular way from center to outer slowly and gently should wipe out any scratches up to moderate.
What is the best software to restore a backup DVD?
Wondershare Recoverit is the best software that can help you on how to restore files from backup DVD. You can recover it with these steps:
Why won't my CD play?
Sometimes the CD/DVD fails to play because of the dust settled on it. Try cleaning it and fixing the issue. You can clean it with warm water by rubbing the surface gently with your finger. However, a mild detergent can also work. You can even use alcohol on a cotton swab to clean it.
Can you take professional help if a CD is scratched?
You can take professional help if the scratched CD/DVD is not fixed with the above two solutions. The professionals can mend it and can even help in taking backup of the data.
Why is my DVD not scratching?
Sometimes, your CD/DVD is not scratched really. Perhaps, it can’t play properly due to dust, oil, or other contaminants on its surface. In this situation, you can just clean the CD/DVD disc to fix it. You can wash your CD/DVD with warm water to remove dust from its surface.
What to use to clean a scratched CD?
Lip balm, Vaseline, liquid car wax, furniture wax and neutral shoe polish can be used to wax the scratched CD/DVD. Just choose the one that you have on hand and then apply a very thin layer on the shiny side of the scratched CD/DVD. When the layer is dry, you can use a piece of clean, soft and lint-free cloth to wipe off the excess from inside to outside on the surface.
What is the best software to recover a CD?
In this post, we recommend you to use the free data recovery software - MiniTool Power Data Recovery – to recover data from corrupted or scratched CD/DVD.
What to do if you forget the name of a file?
If you forget the name of the file you want to recover, you can try Filter function to find your wanted files. After clicking this function, this software will pop out an Advanced Filter interface
How to clean dust off a CD?
If water can’t wash off the dust effectively, you can choose to use a mild detergent or soap water.
Do CDs get scratched?
In real life, these CDs/DVDs are expensive and meaningful for you. However, as time goes on, CDs/DVDs tend to be corrupted or scratched seriously.
Can you copy a scratched CD?
In many cases, a scratched CD/DVD can be fixed and you can copy the data on it to a safe place to avoid data loss issue. In this part, we summarize some solutions to fix a scratched CD/DVD. Please keep reading:
How to clean a vinyl disc?
The best way to clean your discs is to start at the center and work your way outward in a straight line. This allows for a better grip while cleaning and lets you avoid damaging any of the data printed onto the polycarbonate layer below. The reason for this is that the data runs in a spiral around the disc, as on a vinyl record. Because the disc spins so fast, the reader has to be able to compensate for missing bits of the data as it goes, and when a scratch runs straight out from the center of the disc to the edge, it’s a lot easier for the algorithm to catch the error and fix it automatically.
Why does a disc spin so fast?
Because the disc spins so fast, the reader has to be able to compensate for missing bits of the data as it goes , and when a scratch runs straight out from the center of the disc to the edge , it’s a lot easier for the algorithm to catch ...
What does foam do to a disc?
The idea is that the foam acts as an abrasive, like sandpaper, and may smooth out the outer layer of a disc and result in a smooth surface to read from. Think of it like pumice stone against the rough skin of your heel — rub it and you’ll get some of the dead skin off, but if you rub too hard, you’ll take off the important bits underneath. Be careful to not rub too vigorously on the disc, or you’ll risk damaging the data layer underneath.
Can you scratch a Blu-ray disc?
It’s important to note that the methods outlined below will not work with Blu-rays. Those discs use a harder coating that’s more difficult to scratch and damage, which is good, but the downside to this is that once it does scratch, it typically becomes unusable and has to be replaced. Minor damage may be corrected with a microfiber cloth, but the data density and layers prevent any of the options featured here from working particularly well or even being advisable for a Blu-ray. Error-correction features on the best Blu-ray players may help them to ignore scratches, of course.
Can scratches on a disc cause read errors?
Given that the layer of data that is encoded onto the polycarbonate surface is so close to the top layer of the disc, scratches and dents on the label can cause read errors in the same way a ding in the reflective surface can. Make sure to store all your discs in cases or on spools, and handle them by the inner ring to avoid damaging the data.
Can you heat a scratched disc?
Nonetheless, if you’re still committed to watching your scratched disc, you could try slightly heating it. Polycarbonate has a very low melting point and becomes very malleable with only a bit of warmth. A desk lamp will do just fine, and you can just hold the disc through the ring in the middle up to the bulb.
Can a scratch on a disc damage it?
There are all sorts of ways you can damage a disc, but it’s important to identify how deep a scratch is or what caused the disc to malfunction before proceeding. The first trick is to confirm that the problem is actually with the disc. This is usually done by trying to play the disc in another device that has a disc drive or inserting another disc into the original drive that gave you issues.
How to fix scratches on a disc?
Advertisement. Clean the disc with a mild soap and warm water. This will remove any oils and finger marks. Dry the disc with a lint-free cloth. Squeeze toothpaste on the disc.
What happens if you scratch a disc?
If the scratch is on the top, shiny part of the disc, the disc is not repairable and all the data is lost. If the scratch is on the bottom, plastic part of the disc, you may be able to repair the disc by resurfacing and polishing it. Today, some disc manufacturers are developing scratch-resistant discs.
How to rub toothpaste on disc?
Rub the toothpaste on the disc in a straight motion (not in a circular motion) from the center to the outer edges.
What is a CD?
A compact disc (CD) is a plastic molded disc that contains digital data. The data is scanned onto it by a laser beam [source: Britannica ]. A digital video disc (DVD) uses laser technology to read digitalized data that has been encoded on it. Since it uses a digital format, a DVD can store any kind of data, such as movies, ...
Can a DVD be scratched?
As a DVD stores its data externally on a disc it can easily get scratched, which can affect the data. Scratches are a disc's worst enemy. Whether or not a scratched disc can be repaired depends on where the scratch is located. If the scratch is on the top, shiny part of the disc, the disc is not repairable and all the data is lost.
Can you repair a scratched DVD?
Whether a scratched DVD can be repaired depends on where the scratch is located. If the scratch is on the top, shiny part of the disc, it isn't repairable. If the scratch is on the bottom, plastic part of the disc, you may be able to repair it.
Does GameStop repair discs?
No, GameStop doesn't offer repairs for anything — consoles, controllers, or discs of any kind.
How to fix a cracked CD?
A: If the crack is large enough, you can glue a CD back together. Apply an even layer of clear packing tape to seal up the edges before applying any glue. Make sure that your hands are clean and dry for this process since dirt or oils on your skin will cause it to not bond properly with the broken disc’s surface.
Can a cracked DVD play on a DVD player?
A: Yes, a cracked DVD will still play as long as the crack is on the top or bottom of the disc and it does not go all around. If you have an older DVD player that doesn’t support dual-layer DVDs, broken discs are often worth repairing to get more life out of them rather than throwing them away.
How to clean a DVD?
Wipe the DVD from the center to the edge with the cloth. Holding the outside of the disc, place your cloth at the center and wipe in a gentle, fluid motion toward the outside edge of the disc. Wipe the bottom side of the DVD, the side with the shiny surface.
How to handle a DVD?
When handling the DVD, hold the disc by the edges. Holding the middle of the disc or other areas may cause further damage.
How to get a DVD out of a DVD player?
Eject the DVD and apply a dab of rubbing alcohol to your cloth. Some DVD players might require you to hit the "stop" button on your remote control before you can eject it from the machine. Hold the cloth over the opening of your bottle. Quickly tilt the bottle to add a small dab of rubbing alcohol to the cloth.
Why does my DVD player skip?
DVDs can skip for a number of reasons. Dust might have accumulated on the surface of the DVD, the disc might be scratched, or the DVD player itself might not be working properly. Clean the surface of the DVD, rub out any scratches, and clean your DVD player to stop your DVD skipping in future.
How to clean glasses without damaging them?
Get rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth. If you wear glasses, use the lint-free cloth you use to clean your lenses. This type of cloth is excellent at cleaning materials without damaging them. If you don't have rubbing alcohol at home, buy a bottle at your local supermarket or convenience store.
What to do if you don't have a nozzle?
If you don't have a small nozzle, put another attachment on the end of the vacuum. Using the vacuum with no attachments might cause damage to the inside of the machine with the power of the vacuum.
How to open a DVD player?
Open the DVD slot and clean it. You can open most DVD players by pushing the eject button on the machine itself. If not, plug the machine back in, click the eject button, and plug out the machine once more. Place the vacuum against the opening of the DVD player to remove any dust and debris that has accumulated on the inside.
