Xbox game consoles are equipped with an optical disc drive that works with a laser drive. A scratch on the disc to be played may at best result in a one-time read error, but in more serious cases the game may become unusable. You can try to make the disc readable again by using toothpaste to reduce the plastic bumps around the scratch. You can also fill in the scratches with lip balm, which is normally used against the effect of chapping.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Use toothpaste
Step 1. Rinse the disc with plenty of water
Before applying toothpaste to your CD, rinse it with plenty of water to remove any dirt that may have accumulated in the scratches. You can use lukewarm water to rinse in your sink.
If your disc shows signs of cracking or if its label comes off, you may consider it unrecoverable
Step 2. Dry the CD with a soft cloth
Use a soft cloth preferably made of microfibers to wipe your disc after rinsing it. Proceed by passing your cloth from the center of the CD outwards, without pressing. Avoid circular motions, as you may add more scratches.
Step 3. Get some white toothpaste
This paste will gradually polish the edges of the scratches on the disc, allowing the laser to read the disc correctly. To achieve a satisfactory result, you will need to use solid-colored, white toothpaste, preferably containing soda.
Avoid gel-based toothpastes as well as those containing whitening agents
Step 4. Apply a layer of toothpaste to the scratched area of the disc
Spread some paste on a particularly scratched area of your record.
Step 5. Use a cotton swab to spread the paste over the scratched area
Spread the paste along the entire length of the stripe in small circular motions using a cotton swab, much like you would apply silicone to a car body.
Do not rub too hard, just gently roll the paste in small circular motions
Step 6. Continue to sand the scratch until it fades or disappears completely
You may notice the appearance of fine circular stripes generated by the toothpaste, but at this point the larger stripe should be disappearing.
Step 7. Repeat for the other scratches
Repeat the same polishing procedure on the other major scratches, using only a small dab of paste for each one.
Step 8. Rinse the disc and then dry it
When you have finished polishing all the scratches on the disc, rinse it and then dry it again with a soft cloth.
Method 2 of 5: Use a lip balm stick
Step 1. Rinse your disc with plenty of water
If you don't have adequate toothpaste to polish the scratches, you still have the option of filling them in with lip balm. The first thing to do is to rinse your disc with plenty of water to remove all the dirt, mainly any that may have accumulated in the scratches on the disc.
Step 2. Get some pure lip balm
It should not contain colorants, flavors, or shiny particles. You can also opt for petroleum jelly.
Step 3. Apply lip balm in a straight motion
Pass it back and forth several times along the stripe so that a good amount of product is applied.
Repeat this for each scratch on the disc
Step 4. Remove excess lip balm
After applying several layers to the scratches, remove excess lip balm, polish it in small circular motions with a soft cloth. Continue until the excess balm is gone. The scratches should be much less noticeable than before.
Step 5. Try your game
Insert the disc into your console after making sure that the surface of your disc is well polished and that no excess lip balm appears on it.
Method 3 of 5: Use a melamine foam pad
Step 1. Get a melanin foam sponge
You can find this utensil in most hypermarkets under the name "Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser", but you will also find it cheaper in the marked down product lines, but verify when buying it that you are dealing with a product. based on melanin foam.
Step 2. Rub the scratches with the sponge
Rub the scratched record in a straight motion from the center to the outside of the record. Apply just enough pressure to polish the scratches on the disc, but be careful not to peel the protective layer.
Step 3. Rinse and dry the disc
When the scratches have been polished with the dry sponge, rinse the disc with plenty of water and then dry it with a soft cloth using the same motion you used to polish it: apply a rectilinear motion from the center of the CD towards the bottom. 'outside.
Step 4. Try your disc
When you're done with rinsing and drying your record, insert it into your console and try it out. If it still does not work, try polishing with the "magic eraser" again or use one of the other methods in this article.
Method 4 of 5: Use a disc repair kit
Step 1. Obtain a disc repair kit
You will find a wide variety of them in the computer accessories market. The most popular products in this area are T'nB for light scratches and SkipDr for more serious accidents. There are still many others, numerous enough not to mention them.
Step 2. Rinse and dry the disc before using your kit
Use lukewarm water to remove any dirt that may have accumulated in the scratches, then dry it with a microfiber cloth. You will find them in most of the available kits.
Step 3. Spray the cleaner from your kit onto the disc
We are talking about the reading surface and not that of the labeling. Spray evenly over the entire readable surface of the disc.
Step 4. Insert the disc into the repair tool
How to do it depends on the tool you have. Refer to the device manual to properly insert your CD, but the readable side of the disc should be facing the tool's polishing pad.
Step 5. Spin the disc in the tool
You can spin the disc by cranking a crank or pressing a button. Existing scratches on the disc will fade as the polishing pad rubs against its readable surface as it rotates in the device. You will likely need to repeat the operation several times to achieve a viable result.
Step 6. Use the polishing cloth from your kit
Many disc repair kits come with a special cloth intended to polish the surface of the discs after they have been repaired. A vigorous polish applied in concentric circles on the surface of the disc will ensure good readability.
Step 7. Try your disc
Insert the repaired disc into your Xbox and try to make it work. If you do not get the desired result, you can repeat the remediation process. Some users have reported successfully reusing their game after 10 attempts. Some scratches may be too deep to be repaired by the means presented here.
Method 5 of 5: Use a heat lamp
Step 1. Obtain a lamp with a 60 watt bulb
A simple short-term heating of the playing surface of the disc will be sufficient to lightly melt the surface plastic layer, eliminating the most benign scratches. The best results will be obtained with a desk lamp equipped with a 60 watt bulb.
- Avoid using methods resulting in the application of too much heat, such as an oven. It would melt your disc way beyond a simple surface repair and put it completely out of use. A classic filament bulb will be more than sufficient.
- Low energy bulbs (fluorescent) will not produce enough heat to melt the surface layer.
Step 2. Allow the bulb to heat for 5-10 minutes
They will thus produce enough heat to melt the surface layer.
Step 3. Hold the readable side of the disc 7-8cm from the bulb
It needs to be close enough that you can feel the heat (without burning your hand, however).
Hold the disc by holding it by its edge and support it by passing a finger through the central hole
Step 4. Hold the disk near the bulb
Spin it back and forth for about 20 seconds. You may damage it if you expose it to heat for too long. It is better to remove it early enough and repeat the operation rather than leaving it exposed to heat for too long.
Step 5. Test your drive
Remove the disc from the bulb and immediately place it in your Xbox. Then start the console and check if it works. If this is not the case, it will be better to seek professional service to restore it.
Advice
- Borrow a copy of your Xbox game from a friend of yours and install it on your console before using yours. This will cause your console to record information from a working copy instead of trying to use a damaged one.
- After using one of the methods described here, apply some car body wax to the reconditioned surface. This product will fill in any residual scratches and provide a protective layer against future risks. Use a soft cloth and spread the wax in a concentric motion until its surface has been completely covered.
- Some game stores offer their disc repair services for a cost not exceeding a few euros per unit. These companies have very sophisticated polishing means that the public cannot access and have the ability to restore your game to its original state, even if you can't.
- Avoid positioning your Xbox 360 vertically to use it. There is indeed more risk of scratching your discs in this position.
- If you notice regular concentric scratches appearing after using your console, there is a good chance that it has a defect and you will need to replace it.
