Flare Sci-Fi Forums: Need Help Troubleshooting a DVD

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Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :

I've got a problem with my DVD of "Star Trek II" -- it seems as if there's this one chapter that is somehow damaged in some way, and when it tries to start playing that chapter, it suddenly stops and goes back to the beginning of the disc.

I took a look at the disc, and it doesn't seem to have any scratches on it -- at least, nothing I can spot. I've been playing the disc on my computer -- I don't have access to a regular DVD player, either at my dorm or at home.

Can anyone provide some hints or suggestions for fixing this problem, short of buying a new DVD? It's the collector's edition of "Wrath of Khan," and I don't want to go without my favorite Trek movie in my collection!

Posted by Spike (Member # 322) on :

Can you return it and get a new one?

Posted by Styrofoaman (Member # 706) on :

Did you clean your DVD drive? Upgrade your DVD player software? Try it on someone else's computer/DVD player?

Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :

quote:
Can you return it and get a new one?

No, I got it from Amazon.com almost a year and a half ago when it first came out. I'm sure there's no warranty now. [Wink]

quote:
Did you clean your DVD drive? Upgrade your DVD player software? Try it on someone else's computer/DVD player?

I'm running the latest DVD software from Apple, plus I also tried the latest version of the VideoLAN Client (VLC). Both of them showed approximately the same effect.

I know it's a problem with that specific DVD and not any other because I've been playing several DVD's on my system over the past few weeks, and none of the others exhibited those symptoms.

I'm running an Apple iBook (late 2001) with the side-tray type of drive. Not sure if that'll help, or if anyone cares about that part. [Wink]

Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :

I know you can't see any scratches, but have you tried cleaning it? With water, if necessary (and with a CD cleaning kit if possible)?

And this doesn't mean to sound patronising, but I've known surprisingly intelligent people make this mistake: When you clean it, make sure you start from the middle and move outwards. Don't go round in circles.

And it may not have shown up on any other discs, but that's still no reason not to try it on another DVD drive. You never know.

Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :

quote:
Originally posted by PsyLiam:
[QB] I know you can't see any scratches, but have you tried cleaning it? With water, if necessary (and with a CD cleaning kit if possible)?

I don't think there's a CD cleaning kit around... what kind of cloth would you recommend for washing it? Something really soft, like a tissue? Or what?

Hmm... I've got some packages of LCD screen-wipes. Do you think those would work?

quote:
And this doesn't mean to sound patronising, but I've known surprisingly intelligent people make this mistake: When you clean it, make sure you start from the middle and move outwards. Don't go round in circles.

No problem. I'd heard that before, but thanks for reminding me... I'm not sure I'd have remembered. [Wink]

quote:
And it may not have shown up on any other discs, but that's still no reason not to try it on another DVD drive. You never know.

Yeah, I suppose the mysterious ways of electronics will never be known...

Posted by deadcujo (Member # 13) on :

There are surely better methods, but I'd suggest simply breathing on the DVD to give it a very small amount of moisture and then wiping in a straight line from center outward with a non-abrasive tissue.

Posted by Austin Powers (Member # 250) on :

I would recommend moist cleaning tissue normally used to clean your monitor.

What I didn't know, though, was why you shouldn't go round in circles? Why is going from the inside outwards better?

Posted by deadcujo (Member # 13) on :

Wiping by hand in circuluar motions or wiping by going around the disc can cause more damage as you're moving along the spiral track. If there are any scratches and tiny bits of whatever on the disc, you could easily drag that along while going in the circular motion, damaging more of the track in the process. Wiping in a straight line from the center to the outer edge will cause the least damage in such a case. And whatever cleaning liquid you may use, always be sure it's dry when you're done as moisture can damage the disc.

Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :

Thanks, deadcujo, that's what I needed to know. [Smile]