Is it possible to fix cracked discs?

[BumbleChump]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this, but here goes. (please redirect this to the right forum if there's a better one. Sorry!)

Is it possible in any way at all to fix or play a cracked disc? I know the data is all on the silver print on the top of the disc, so if that gets damaged, it's definitely broken. But in this case, it's only the plastic that's damaged.



And for those wondering, it's Magic Knight Rayearth......



You can see that the silver print is intact on top, but the plastic is cracked. I was hoping that it wouldn't matter since it's the outer part of the disc, but no, it won't play. Then I thought maybe the outer part of the disc is like the region locking section so if the Saturn can't read it, it won't play it. So I tried playing it with an action replay, but no go.

Is there any way I could fill the crack with some kind of plastic substance? Maybe try a resurfacing machine and hope it fills the crack? The resurfacing machine is kinda scary though cause I'm afraid the disc might explode in there. Seems like a lost cause, but it never hurts to ask!

[Hobie-wan]

Nope, it's hosed. The plastic also keeps air out. So even if you keep the crack from spreading, the air would start disc rot. If it won't play, it's already gone.

[Cronozilla]

I'd say if it's already dead ... you could probably think about trying glass crack filler. The worst that can happen is ... it's still in its current state.

If the crack isn't too deep it might be able to be polished down. But you're risking the disc ripping apart when it gets used ... those look pretty deep.

[corn619]

I have a copy of Shadow Hearts 2 that has a crack on the clear part inside of the disc where the hole is. The crack isn't on the part where info is stored like yours. I dabbed some super glue on it a couple years ago and it works great still. Sorry to say that I agree with the above posters in saying your disc is toast.

[dsheinem]

[darkcat]

if there is no data on the cracked spot you could put tape over it this will work like 1/3 of the time. Another possibility is to full the crack with a clear resin used to fill windshields I've never tried this or heard of people trying it but seeing this is a great game it would be worth trying anything to keep it work. If the top layer with the data is all in tact and it appears to be disk rot shouldn't be a problem unless its left in uv light or extreme heat etc.

[8bit]

I dont have any good advice for ya but I want to express my condolences for that poor Magic Magic Knight Rayearth disc.

[AppleQueso]

In my experience this is by far the best method. Works every single time.

[Hobie-wan]

trying anything to keep it work.

It already isn't working.

If the top layer with the data is all in tact and it appears to be disk rot shouldn't be a problem unless its left in uv light or extreme heat etc.

The metal reflective layer will oxidize because air is getting to it. With the cracks reaching that area, air has already gotten in. You'd probably need a vacuum chamber as well as glue to rebond the plastic that wouldn't also react with any of the reflective layer or anything. Even if possible, it would likely cost more than a replacement. But the disc already isn't working, so there's likely other damage anyway.

[CRTGAMER]

http://youtu.be/EmEbNt_G6Ac

That video made my day, especially reading one of the responses posted there.

People are so fucking stupid. HOW THE HELL ARE YOU GOING TO FIX THE TETHERED AND CORRUPT DATA INSIDE THE DAMN DISC? Once it's snapped, YOU CAN'T FUCKING FIX IT YOU DUMBASSES.

if there is no data on the cracked spot you could put tape over it this will work like 1/3 of the time. Another possibility is to full the crack with a clear resin used to fill windshields I've never tried this or heard of people trying it but seeing this is a great game it would be worth trying anything to keep it work. If the top layer with the data is all in tact and it appears to be disk rot shouldn't be a problem unless its left in uv light or extreme heat etc.

Any sort of chemical "filler" or tape might make it worse. It could throw the balance off and possible chunks of the glue flying off inside. Anything stuck on the read side is just going to deter the laser eye from tracking, worse then just the cracks.

A whole clear disc shield on the label side might help to keep the crack from spreading. I do not care for the added weight of a disc shield, but in this situation, it might help keep the disc from shattering.

Is it possible in any way at all to fix or play a cracked disc? I know the data is all on the silver print on the top of the disc, so if that gets damaged, it's definitely broken. But in this case, it's only the plastic that's damaged.

You can see that the silver print is intact on top, but the plastic is cracked. I was hoping that it wouldn't matter since it's the outer part of the disc, but no, it won't play. Then I thought maybe the outer part of the disc is like the region locking section so if the Saturn can't read it, it won't play it. So I tried playing it with an action replay, but no go.

Even if the disc was still readable, the crack will push the Saturn laser eye too hard in trying to read the pits underneath; wearing the laser out a lot quicker. I have fixed a cracked center of a rare import DVD, but only used the tape on the label side in the center to maintain the correct height and balance. In my case the crack was only in the center and not covering any of the data area of the disc. I immediately made a backup disc and put the original away, never to be put in a player again. The backup of the Japan DVD had an added benefit of region fixed so it plays in my U.S. player.

Keep the original game disc it in its case for display only
Try to burn a backup right away and never put that original game disc back in the console. The PC disc writer though unlikely, just might be able to read the data thru the cracks. As in the console laser eye, you will also be pushing the PC disc burner when you attempt backing up the cracked disc.

Turn off Auto Play
Should be off anyways since it a nuisance, even more so to prevent unnecessary spinup of a cracked disc. There is a slight chance of ruining the disc burner working the laser to read thru the crack, its higher speed might also shatter the disc. Even if you set the read/write to say 2x, the drive will still initially spool up when the disc is first inserted.