Your DVD player may be unable to read some or all of a damaged disk. Perhaps the main menu will open but the movie will not play or the damaged disk may skip. When the movie begins, it might play perfectly but suddenly freeze for several seconds before skipping ahead minutes or even chapters into the story. Scratches and scuffs on a disk's surface are the most common form of damage that renders a DVD incapable of playing. Fortunately, do-it-yourself repair is often possible.
First-Aid for Scratches
If a disk skips or refuses to play, hold it under bright light and look for scratches. Any that are deep enough to keep the disk from working will be clearly visible. DVD repair kits, complete with cleaning solution and soft cloths, can remove these scratches. Apply the solution to the scratched surface and wipe off with the cloths.
Do-it-yourselfers have compiled a list of common household products that work as well as a DVD repair kit to fix scratches. Rubbing alcohol, clear car wax or even toothpaste can stand-in for a repair kit. Apply the alcohol, polish or toothpaste to the scratches with a soft, lint-free cloth. Rub in straight lines from the center of the disk to outer edge. You will see the reduction in surface scratches.
Sophisticated Software
If your DVD still won't work after you've gently rubbed the scratches, try to copy the disk. DVD software and computer DVD drives have advanced technology that can often read disks that a DVD player cannot. Place the disk in the computer's drive and try to open it. If it opens and does not skip, you will know your DVD software can copy the disk. Use the DVD-to-DVD copy option in your DVD-writing software. The program will first attempt to read the disk, so you will know before burning the disk whether the program can re-create the original DVD's content.
Make an Extra
If you repeatedly watch the same DVDs, consider making extra copies. You can store the original in its DVD case and watch the copies instead, avoiding damage to the original disk.
Tags: copy disk, damaged disk, will know
