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26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
These things WILL damage CD/DVD's!, May 26, 2004
By A Customer
I'm writing a review only because my girlfriend foolishly purchased one of these devices and rendered two DVD's useless. These devices "work" by shaving a layer off the protective coating on the data side of the disc. Sometimes this will "smoothen out" a disc and make it workable again, however *many* times the disc will be rendered absolutetly useless. They also scar the disc. If you have ever purchased a used CD/DVD/Game and seen centrical circles engraved all around the data side, then one of these devices had been used on it. It is appalling that the manufacturer's description says its safe to use these devices, especially with Dreamcast discs. They WILL destroy Dreamcast discs without question!I wish she had asked me of ways to repair discs before attempting to use one of these devices. There is a much better alternative for repairing CD/DVD's -- have them professionally resurfaced. Professionally resurfaced discs are exactly that. The protective coating on the data side is resurfaced, not simply just shaved away. The discs after a resurface not only work again, but even appear to be virtually brand new in appearance on the data side. Note that a disc can ONLY be recovered if the damage doesn't extend past the protective layer. If a scratch, or nick, goes beyond the protective layer and into the foil actually containing data, nothing can be done. In most instances, this type of damage actually extends from the label side of the disc, as under the label the protection is very thin above the foil. To see if a disc is recoverable, hold it up against a light. If any light can make it's way through the disc, then it's a goner. Most of the time, this damage will be very small -- and will appear no larger than a pin hole. Professional resurfacing is the way to go. The equipment necessary for this type of recovery runs in the tens of thousands of dollars, but they are *slowly* beginning to appear (as a service) in video and game retail stores. I don't expect it to become the rule over exception though, as the retailers want you to buy replacement discs -- not fix old ones. Look for professional resurfacers online. One service I have no problem plugging is called "Skippydisc". I have sent discs in to them and received them back within ten days. They all worked, and even appeared, like new afterwards. Cost per disc resurfacing was $3.50 Another alternative is to check to see if the CD/DVD/Game publisher offers a replacement disc for low cost. Look in the booklet that came with the disc. Electronic Arts will send game replacement discs for $20. You have to, of course, send them the old disc for a replacement as it is the "proof of purchase". If one of this disc shavers were used on it, however, they will NOT replace it -- even for $20. If scratching is very light on the disc, making it not work, you may also be able to get it working again by using toothpaste as a mild abrasive. Cover the data side with a thin coating of toothpaste, allow it to dry, and then rub outwards from the center with your thumb -- only going in one direction (outwards). (This is so you push the debris off, not rubbing it back and forth.) Do not rub in circles or in a circular pattern around the disc. Afterwards, wash it completetly with warm water and regular hand soap -- and then rise it with HOT water (to get all remaining soap film off) and dry it by hand waving a lightly dabbing it with a soft cloth. (Don't rub a towel over it, as that will scratch it further.) This will "smooth out" some of the minor scratches and also remove any grime that got into the scratch grooves. Many times, this is all that is needed to get discs working again.
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