Can't believe this worked... *UPDATE*

[GOLDEN KEYS]

So, I'm on my 3rd or 4th refurbished Xbox 360 and a few weeks after my total warranty on the Xbox expired my Xbox got the "Open Tray" failure to read disk problem. Now, I'm covered for another 6-8 months from the RROD but that's it.

I've found that banging on the 360 in a certain spot will get it to work pretty easily, usually on the first try. However, getting the console to load the game this way will occasionally put deep circular scratches on the disk. My last copy of Halo 3 became unreadable because of this so I traded in a few games for a used copy of Halo 3 at Game Stop.

Fast forward to tonight, just a week later. The 360 says it can't read the disk when I get it to load... take it out, sure enough: deep circular scratches.

Desperate, I wrap the Xbox in towels thinking maybe it will over heat and force the RROD, which would allow me to send it in for a free refurbished console, yet again.

Then I check online and learn about some trick where you use toothpaste (non-whitening) to get rid of the scratches. I find some toothpaste and give it a go. I look at the disk and I see about a hundred more tiny scratches but you can barely see the deep circular scratches.

Fire up the Xbox... bang on it... it finally loads... IT WORKS!

More information about the technique here...

http://www.overclock.net/faqs/96686-how-remove-scratches-cds-music-games.html


Though, maybe this is common knowledge?

[Sonicwolf]

If it takes a good smack to get the 360 to work properly and it occasionally wrecks disc's... I dont think its wise to continue to use it.

[skaar]

Does it also only hurt when you pee in the mornings?

Seriously man - that's just not normal. Stop abusing the 360 and go abuse someone's return policy or something at least.

[Sonicwolf]

go abuse someone's return policy or something at least.

The number one activity of modern gamers who have no scruples. Well actually, people who have no scruples or people who buy expensive stuff expecting quality. Quality which doesnt exist anymore.

[GOLDEN KEYS]

obviously, my 360 is on it's last legs but i'm just trying to get a little more life out of it before i fork over $200 for a new one and a new warranty.

i don't put any other discs in there besides halo 3.

[Sonicwolf]

obviously, my 360 is on it's last legs but i'm just trying to get a little more life out of it before i fork over $200 for a new one and a new warranty.

i don't put any other discs in there besides halo 3.

Wouldnt it be better to fork out 200 dollars now instead of 200+ dollars which includes another Halo 3 games later?

[otoko]

Wouldnt it be better to fork out 200 dollars now instead of 200+ dollars which includes another Halo 3 games later?

Well put. Also, just go and get the new 360. They have become more reliable and it seems that getting previously failed models just isn't working for you.

[Sonicwolf]

Well put. Also, just go and get the new 360. They have become more reliable and it seems that getting previously failed models just isn't working for you.

Im scared. I have an 06 model which I barely play. I should just leave it on sometime for many, many hours.

By the time I play it seriously, it will RROD. LOL

[GOLDEN KEYS]

getting another copy of halo 3 is pretty much unavoidable at this point... unless, of course, my toothpaste copy manages to hold up for the remainder of it's lifetime, which i'm not counting on. i guess i could have one of them restored at game stop or something?

playing halo and using the 360 isn't a huge priority for me... i'll get to it somewhere down the line.

[GOLDEN KEYS]

i can promise you that i won't be getting another copy until i have a new 360... i'll be utilizing the toothpaste method until then.

[Sonicwolf]

playing halo and using the 360 isn't a huge priority for me... i'll get to it somewhere down the line.

If you are willing to come on here and discuss it, smack up your 360, buy more than one Halo 3 and use the classic toothpaste manuever on a wrecked game disc to make it play, it sure sounds like its a priority. LOL

[otoko]

i guess i could have one of them restored at game stop or something?

All depends on how deep it is. My copy of Bioshock was ringed in three places, After several resurfaces, it still shows the marks. I've played the game fully though several times since the incident. It should be alright. Mine used to be a rental copy. Imagine how many times IT was resurfaced.


If you are willing to come on here and discuss it, smack up your 360, buy more than one Halo 3 and use the classic toothpaste manuever on a wrecked game disc to make it play, it sure sounds like its a priority. LOL

Snap, Wolf. Snap.

[GOLDEN KEYS]

If you are willing to come on here and discuss it, smack up your 360, buy more than one Halo 3 and use the classic toothpaste manuever on a wrecked game disc to make it play, it sure sounds like its a priority. LOL


ok? that was unnecessary, let's keep it friendly on here.

i meant, as far as purchasing a 360, my funds for gaming typically go towards classic games.

[Sonicwolf]

ok? that was unnecessary, let's keep it friendly on here.

Take it as a friendly jab. If it wasnt friendly I think it would have involved some more.. extreme language.

The simplest solution right now would be to stop playing XBOX 360. If it is that broken, look for consumer returns alternatives and if there are none, play classic games until you can replace the thing.

[Enigmus]

Seriously man - that's just not normal. Stop abusing the 360 and go abuse someone's return policy or something at least.

Wow. First, Nintendo abuse and now this. My, gaming has a history of console violence.

[skaar]

As far as I recall publishers will replace scratched disks for a nominal charge if you mail it in to them (and it's a big title) - or was it Microsoft? At launch there were a ton of complaints about eaten discs and big circular scratches.

There are services almost everywhere that'll swap out the drive for you, and the replacement is usually pretty cheap. Sounds like it's just your drive giving you grief. Either that or suck it up and spring for a new one - I've had to buy 2 extras myself ;)

Re: Return policy, I've had a Future Shop employee send me home to get my console when I was chatting with him telling him about my dead 360, and he swapped one out for me on the spot. Granted I'd bought a lot of computer stuff there off him that week (like 4 laptops for a client) so there might have been something fishy but I wasn't one to complain.

[GOLDEN KEYS]

There are services almost everywhere that'll swap out the drive for you, and the replacement is usually pretty cheap. Sounds like it's just your drive giving you grief. Either that or suck it up and spring for a new one - I've had to buy 2 extras myself ;)



Wow... haha, i don't think this post was ever about "OMG MY XBOX BROKE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!! CAN I BUY ANOTHER ONE????? IS THAT ALLOWED???? CAN IT BE FIXED???? DO THEY DO THINGS LIKE THAT????? OMFG I'M SO LOST!!!!!"

Obviously, we've established that I have the option of buying another 360. In fact, I think I already said I planned on doing this a few times in this thread already. Aren't we kind of beating a dead horse, here? And, do I really want to put money into repairing this refurbished Xbox that has been recirculated who knows how many times by Microsoft?



Anyway, to get things back on topic (were they ever?)...

What is everyone elses experience with using toothpaste on games?

[NoahsMyBro]

I bought the Springsteen album 'The Rising' soon after it was released. Only a couple of weeks later I accidently dropped a screwdriver, point down, on the disc and scratched it badly enough that one track wouldn't play.

I read online that the disc could be buffed out using toothpaste. I was skeptical, but figured it was worth a try before spending $18 on a replacement.

The toothpaste worked perfectly, with similar results to yours (lots of small scratches, but perfectly functional).

Since then, I've polished countless DVDs my 4 year-old checks out from the library, and the fix works almost every time. (If you ever want to see just how bad DVDs can get, look at the surface of a DVD from the public library. It's scarier than any horror flick you'll ever see!)

[GOLDEN KEYS]

I bought the Springsteen album 'The Rising' soon after it was released. Only a couple of weeks later I accidently dropped a screwdriver, point down, on the disc and scratched it badly enough that one track wouldn't play.

I read online that the disc could be buffed out using toothpaste. I was skeptical, but figured it was worth a try before spending $18 on a replacement.

The toothpaste worked perfectly, with similar results to yours (lots of small scratches, but perfectly functional).

Since then, I've polished countless DVDs my 4 year-old checks out from the library, and the fix works almost every time. (If you ever want to see just how bad DVDs can get, look at the surface of a DVD from the public library. It's scarier than any horror flick you'll ever see!)

Nice!

[Spazmonkey]

You could always just you, know, fix the drive. You just need a new laser, they sell them on ebay, for under $20.

[GOLDEN KEYS]

You could always just you, know, fix the drive. You just need a new laser, they sell them on ebay, for under $20.

yeah... and what happens in six months when i get the RROD on this old refurbished/recirculated xbox and my warranty is up? no more money is going into this piece of junk.

again, i understand the options. fix it or buy a new one.



i'm really more interested in hearing peoples experience using toothpaste or other methods to take care of scratches on their disks.

[otoko]

Does it have any healing properties on rouge non-working Dreamcast games?

Those are a pain to revive.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

Personally I'd just get a new xbox or get it fixed, instead of banging on it.

[skaar]

You could also try to stop being a dick to people offering you good advice ;)

[Sonicwolf]

You could also try to stop being a dick to people offering you good advice ;)

I agree.

[GOLDEN KEYS]

I agree.

how about you two grow up and stop looking for attention on internet message boards by being big tough internet bullys.

if you recall, i'm not the one who started "being a dick".

oh wait, sonicwolf called it giving "friendly jabs". yep, that's all i'm doing.


how about you try being mature and just let it go instead of trying to pick a fight with me?

[Sonicwolf]

I am not picking a fight.

You need to learn to grow a sense of humor when on the internet. I am not a bully.

Nice how you quote me when I didnt even say what irked you that time.

I must apologise. Next time im on the boards here I will be extra pleasant towards you. I wouldnt want you to mistake my actions has being mean or bully-like anymore.

[GOLDEN KEYS]

I am not picking a fight.

You need to learn to grow a sense of humor when on the internet. I am not a bully.

Nice how you quote me when I didnt even say what irked you that time.

I must apologise. Next time im on the boards here I will be extra pleasant towards you. I wouldnt want you to mistake my actions has being mean or bully-like anymore.

honestly, you're not even clever enough to be insulting. to me, it's just a laughable situation.

skaar makes sarcastic remarks to me and i do the same to someone else. he says i'm "being a dick". how would you describe his comments to me, then? you, on the other hand, take shots right at me and yet that's not "being a dick" either.

what a joke. it was completely unnecessary for you or him to come on to my post about using toothpaste to fix scratched disks and start with this nonsense.

pick someone else to flame. i deal with trolls enough on the espn boards, i didn't know these boards were littered with them, too. if you have a problem, PM me and let's chat. same goes to anyone else who is set on discussing this.

otherwise, let's be mature and keep this thread on topic.

[evildragon]

God, everyone get the wax out of your ears. I read this thread and it got full of mis-reading, REAL quick.

This isn't the phone, this is the internet, you can re-read what you read.

[Sonicwolf]

honestly, you're not even clever enough to be insulting. to me, it's just a laughable situation.

skaar makes sarcastic remarks to me and i do the same to someone else. he says i'm "being a dick". how would you describe his comments to me, then? you, on the other hand, take shots right at me and yet that's not "being a dick" either.

what a joke. it was completely unnecessary for you or him to come on to my post about using toothpaste to fix scratched disks and start with this nonsense.

pick someone else to flame. i deal with trolls enough on the espn boards, i didn't know these boards were littered with them, too. if you have a problem, PM me and let's chat. same goes to anyone else who is set on discussing this.

otherwise, let's be mature and keep this thread on topic.

Ok fine. But look how long I have been here. If I was really nothing but a troll and an internet bully I would have been banned LONG ago.

Now to your topic. I have tried the toothpaste thing twice before. Both times with dreamcast games. Neither of them worked. I think it was my Dreamcast as they are a bit flakey when it comes to reading disc's anyways.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

We have a motto around these parts...

Don't mess with Sonicwolf or he will eat your ass for lunch! Wait, I think I said that wrong...

[PapaStu]

Good gravy.

People, take a chill pill and let this bickering go.

And SonicWolf, you might have been here since 2004, but for someone who's been glad to point out numerous times over the last few months that almost all of your 2400+ posts have been since January. Hard to be banned for being a troll/internet bully when you don't post for 4 years. Just saying....

**Back on topic**

I don't use toothpaste, I use a buffing compound sold in music stores to work of scratches (that have been put on by my system). Honestly most anything will work that can fill in the scratches as well as dry clear and not mess with the laser trying to read that data. As they keep doing stuff to toothpaste (adding whitening and all kinds of other stuff) I don't know what kind of effect it would have on the disc, so I stick with something formulated for discs.

[Sonicwolf]

And SonicWolf, you might have been here since 2004, but for someone who's been glad to point out numerous times over the last few months that almost all of your 2400+ posts have been since January. Hard to be banned for being a troll/internet bully when you don't post for 4 years. Just saying....

(Good point. Ill just close my mouth now about the previous crap... After I apologise. I have been having a very bad week.)

I came off a bit of an ass didnt I? I am sorry Golden Keys for being a jerk and I hope first impressions dont weigh with you heavily.

I am also a bit afraid to do toothpaste on disc's again. Forgetting that it hasnt worked for me in the past, I am afraid that whatever is in the toothpaste could be detrimental to the discs materials. It could eat away at the plastic or something. you Never know.

[Enigmus]

I have tried the toothpaste thing twice before. Both times with dreamcast games. Neither of them worked. I think it was my Dreamcast as they are a bit flakey when it comes to reading disc's anyways.

Usually, it only works with non-gel toothpaste.

[Sonicwolf]

Usually, it only works with non-gel toothpaste.

What would you define as "non-gel"?

[Sniderman]

I think I posted this elsewhere, but I swear by it. If you have a scratched disc/CD, I recommend Brasso. Now then, this is a METAL POLISHING liquid. It's an abrasive - a very mild, fine abrasive. And if you use this method, you're gonna scratch the hell out of your CD. But it works much like the toothpaste without all of the gloopy paste. This is a technique I picked up from a DVD restoration board:

1. Take a lint-free cloth and pour a small dab of Brasso on the cloth.
2. Using a finger, wipe the Brasso in a straight line from the inner hole to the outer edge, working your way around until the CD is coated. Continue around again so you've done it twice. (There is no need to add any more Brasso. One good dollop at the start will be enough.)
3. Let it dry to a fine haze.
4. With a clean corner of the cloth, start wiping the Brasso off from the inside out, just as you applied it. Make sure to remove it all.
5. Once the Brasso is removed, spray some Windex or other cleaner on the CD and gently shine it up.
6. If there is a deep scratch or mar, use a bit of elbow grease on it to "buff" it out with the Brasso. But always work from the inside out. Do not work in little circles or anything like that.

I have used this technique to bring many many games, DVDs, music CDs, etc. back from the dead. I have only had this trick not work twice (but both were horribly damaged to begin with). Now then, as stated, you're deliberately scratching a CD to hell (even though the scratches are very, very fine - the CD will appear hazy when done as if it's been resurfaced) but this will work 95% of the time. But I would NOT recommend this for a game disc that's valuable or irreplacable. For that, have it resurfaced.

[GOLDEN KEYS]

Soooooo, for anyone still interested, I went ahead and gathered up all the extra video game junk I had lying around the house that's been collecting dust and made a trip to Game Stop.

Bought a brand new Xbox 360 Arcade, brand new copy of Halo 3, preordered a copy of Halo 3: ODST and also paid for a one year membership at Game Stop. After all of my trade ins it cost $20 bucks and change. This was my first experience trading stuff in at Game Stop (besides when I traded a few games for that second copy of Halo 3) and really I was fairly pleased.

I got $35 for an original PSP (I bought it used from a friend a couple years ago for $40) along with Marvel Ultimate Alliance and GTA Liberty City Stories (not sure what I got for the two games). They gave me $60 for my old Xbox 360. I got $21 for each copy of Halo 3. Also traded in Super Smash Brothers Wii, Spider Man Web of Shadows Xbox 360, NBA 2K8 and a couple other older 360 games. Not sure of what I got for everything but I don't think I got hosed too bad... everything I traded in was stuff I don't use anymore.

So, problem solved for me (for now, at least) but thanks for everyones input on repairing scratched discs.

Oh yeah, my luck ran out with that toothpaste trick. I got more scratches on the discs which prompted the trade. I was surprised they gave me so much for the beat up discs, though.




I came off a bit of an ass didnt I? I am sorry Golden Keys for being a jerk and I hope first impressions dont weigh with you heavily.


No hard feelings and thanks for the apology.

[Sonicwolf]

No hard feelings and thanks for the apology.

Thanks.

Im surprised they gave you much credit for games at all. Up here in Canada, their other chain, EB Games, rips people off as much as possible. I got a 1.50 for GUN for the 360 when it was only a year old. Ridiculous. (Just as bad as Resident Evil 4 bought off for 2 bucks)

[GOLDEN KEYS]

Well...

I wanted to give an update on my new Xbox 360.

I didn't have any problems with the system until the release of ODST. I got the game the day it came out, brought it home and played it for awhile. The next day I turn the 360 on again and...


"Open Tray"


That's right, after only three months of use, the disc drive is shot on my 360. I'm sending it off to Microsoft for a repair tomorrow. I'm going to call first and request that they fix this console rather send me some old refurbished one... does anyone know if they ever do that?

I really thought I'd get a lot more use out of this console before I would have to get into the process of switching them out every few months with Microsoft. I'm pretty disappointed but not surprised.

And yep... the games still work if you tap on the top of the console while it's loading, but I only did that once or twice. I don't want to risk ruining anymore discs.

Anyway, if I wasn't covered under warranty still I think I'd be ready to move onto the PS3.