[pbasil1]

there is a small scratch in my xp pro upgrade cd that is causing the installation to screw up, so i am only running win98 now!

is there any way to remove the scratch or buff it out? im limited to resources and and i am confined to my house.... please helpme quick!!!

thanks for input!

 

[Xeijin]

Some computer and audio shops will be able to repair surface scratches (but really deep scratches like gashes, not possible) you can also buy something called 'Skip Doctor' which also repairs surface scratches, but wont repair deep scratches.

Also, if it is deep try calling MS technical support, I've heard of them replacing broken or scratched discs for free.

You can also download a copy of windows xp using torrent etc. It is not illegal as long as you have a legal windows xp cd key and the certificate of authenticity.

You can also try manually copying all of the files off the disc, then replacing the corrupt files by google searching them and burn it all as a new iso.

Hope that helps.

 

[grkgus]

There is something they sell at games stores that could fix it, but if its a deep scratch the only thing you can do is buy another.

 

[pbasil1]

its just a light scratch and im thinking of trying to buff it out myself with car wax of something...

 

[soloz2]

you can get a disc dr or something like that that will repair scratched CD's.... but once again, deep ones will not be able to be fixed.

another solution would be to see if your computer can still read the disc well enough to make an image of the disc. Sometimes you can still do that if the scratch isn't bad enough... then just copy the image and you should be good to go.

 

[pbasil1]

ok i will try to copy the cd and see if it works... should i burn it to a blank disk if it does?

 

[Xeijin]

Mount the image first and see if it loads up the screen and stuff, then burn it to disc and test it properly (i.e. Install Windows).

 

[VulcanDragon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xeijin You can also download a copy of windows xp using torrent etc. It is not illegal as long as you have a legal windows xp cd key and the certificate of authenticity.

Technically, yes it is. Unless you're downloading it from Microsoft themselves or an authorized redistributor/reseller, downloading copyrighted software is illegal. The person posting the software is breaking the law, and downloading it makes you an accessory. Having a non-original copy of the software is not illegal, though. It's a subtle difference, and one Im sure most of us find silly; but the law is often that way.

Take Xeijin's first piece of advice and contact MS tech support. If you have a legal copy and the certificate of authenticity, they may be able to help you. Alternately, if you know someone else with the media, you can borrow theirs to do the install as long as you use your own CD key. And of course, depending on how bad the scratch is, those "disc doctor" kits people have mentioned really do work pretty well.

I really don't think automotive wax is a good idea, though! I would place a pretty big wager that trying that will do more harm than good to the CD.

 

[RocKerClocKer]

I have been able to repair scratched cds before by polishing the scratch out.
Haven't tried the disk dr or such so I can't speak to their effectiveness.

Note:
If the TOP of the disc is scratched then scrap it, no amount of anything will help.

Step 1
Get a pencil eraser, the better quality eraser the better results.
and an CLEAN old t-shirt or something of soft cotton that is NOT terri cloth such as a towel and some high quality automotive paint 'cleaner'. I used McGuiars paint cleaner

Step 2
very lightly go over the scratch with the eraser in the direction of the scratch, and I do mean lightly. It is going to look terrible at this point but don't panic......yet

Step 3
Wet a small area of the cotton rag and buff out the area you just went over with the cotton rag you will have to buff it quit a bit to get it smooth again. alternate between wet and dry parts of the cloth.
repeat until it looks shiny again.

Try it and see if it works, If not then repeat the procedure until it does.

 

[aajvs99]

just go DL a copy of XP and ur set