Fixable Disc Issues
Fix Scratched Discs
DVD Errors - No Disc - Disc Error
disc error message - disc data error
Sentimental and Valuable Photo discs not playing anymore
Wedding photo discs or video discs
Cannot load disc error, scratches, marks or damage to the play surface of discs, Disc Freeze, CD skipping,
disc failure - disc read error
Laser burn XBox discs, XBox 360 discs lazer burn, Ring of Death scratches, XBox, XBox 360 discs, Circular scratches on XBox games discs, PlayStation, PS2, PS3, Gamecube, Nintendo, Wii, Computer Game discs, Video Game discs, Scratched Karaoke discs, Audio Discs skipping or freezing
Kid's photos or movie discs not playing
Cannot read disc error
Repair optical disc errors
Games console discs unreadable
Movie discs - High Definition discs
HD-DVD and Blu-ray discs
PC-CDROM software discs
We Can Repair Them, if you have any discs with any of the above issues, they probably have scratches or damage on the read side of the discs. Don't leave them, it's really quite easy to send them off to us to get repaired and they will play like new again.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What discs are repairable?
1a. What types of discs can be fixed?
Most discs with scratches on the play side of the discs can be repaired easily. We can repair most formats of discs to include; Compact Disc, CD, DVD, CD-R, CD+R, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD ROM, Karaoke discs, CD-ROM, Blu-ray (BD), BD-R, HD DVD, software discs and Game discs such as Playstation, PS2, PS3, Wii, XBox, XBox 360, GameCube and PC Game discs. Some other disc types may include double sided DVDs and also dual layer discs. The most common type of damage to discs are scratches on the read side (play side) of discs, which we can repair easily and professionally.
Note: Some discs can be double sided discs and any damage to both sides shall be charged accordingly per side. Damage to both sides is considered as two disc repairs.
1b. Can you fix my disc?
With our advanced equipment it's possible to restore the read (play) side of CD's, DVD's, and Game Discs that hace scratches on them, back to a virtually new condition. In most cases discs that have scratches, scuffs and marks can be restored to as good as new condition. This applies to discs that have damage to the read or play side (shiny side) only.
Discs with damage to their play side go through a number of resurfacing cycles depending on the severity of the scratches and then a final polishing cycle. The resurfacing cycles remove layers from the play side of the discs. Then a final polishing cycle gives the original polished appearance with the scratches removed. Discs shall be restored to as good as new condition. Restoration work can only be carried out on the play side of discs.
Xbox and Xbox 360 discs with laser burn damage (circular scratches) on the playside of the discs can also be fixed using our equipment. We can repair these back to "As Good As New Condition".
1c. Can you repair Blu-ray, PS3 or Game Cube discs?
We can repair Blu-Ray discs but they require a very delicate process to repair. We use specialised machinery employing Exclusive Flat Polishing Technology using a liquid polishing compound that has numerous resurfacing stages and also cleans the disc after each resurfacing stage and finally a polishing stage to ensure that the disc receives the best possible finish. Very deep scratches can not be repaired, as the data layer is only 8% away from the read side (play side). A specialised process is used for these discs.
We can also repair Game Cube discs. We employ a different process by use of an adapter to repair these discs compared to a standard CD/DVD.
1d. What is a single sided disc?
A Single Sided Disc is the standard disc such as a CD, DVD or Game disc that has only one side of the disc that is readable by a disc player, computer or games machine. These discs are the vast majority of discs in use today and are identified normally with the top side having a graphic label and the bottom side as the shiney side, which is the read side or play side. The read side (play side) is where any disc restoration occurs.
1e. What is a double sided disc?
A Double Sided Disc is a disc that has both sides which are playable on a disc player, computer or Game machine. These discs are quite rare. They are usually identified as having both their sides looking like a standard discs shiney side or read side. They don’t normally have a graphic label printed on any one side. Instead they may have a graphic label positioned around the centre positioning hole in the middle of the discs. These discs though rare, are susceptible to scratch damage like any other discs and can be quite easily repaired by us. If both sides are scratched, repair work to both sides of these discs is considered two disc repairs with a discount. Please see rates on the Order Form page for Double Sided Discs.
If you have any queries about this type of disc or are unsure, please contact us.
1f. Can you fix laser burn damage on Xbox discs?
We can fix laser burn circular scratches that has occurred to Xbox or Xbox 360 discs with our specialised equipment. Laser burn, looks like complete or partial circular scratches around your disc, also known as “the ring of death”. This occurs to discs when the games console has been moved whilst playing, from an upright to a horizontal position or vice versa or simply knocked against or the wires may have been just tripped upon. Discs are then impaired by a ring of laser burn, which is a circular scratch around the disc. Laser burn scratches or ring of death marks, look like complete or partial circlular scratches around the playside of the discs. To avoid this type of damage, do not move your games console while the disc is in play. Only professional disc repair services can restore disc laser burn damage back to 'As Good as New Condition'. After repair work is carried out on XBOX laser burnt discs, the discs shall look and play like new again.
2. How to Order, Pay & Post discs?
2a. How do I Place an Order for disc repair?
When placing an Order for disc repair, please complete the Order Form with your name, address, contact details and disc details. Please complete this Order Form online and you can either proceed to online payment OR you can print out the completed Form and include the Form in with your discs and payment and just Freepost to us.
You can also fill out other Order Forms that are supplied, such as “Flyer or Leaflet” Order Forms. Simply complete the Form and enclose with your discs and payment and Freepost to us.
2b. How do I make payment for disc repair?
After completing the Order Form you can choose to either proceed to make payment online via a secure payment page or you can include your payment with your discs and the Printed Order Form and Freepost to us. Be sure to include your reference number if paying online from the payment page OR the Printed Order Form if including your payment with your discs. If sending cash payment, please ensure that you keep coins to a minimum and wrap any coins and seperate from the disc(s), so not to scratch the disc(s) further and possibly break the envelope.
We accept payments via secure Online Payment Gateway, Bank Transfer, Cash, Money & Postal Orders and Cheques (made payable to Disc Repair Services Ireland).
2c. How to Post discs?
Sending a single disc:
If you have a paper or plastic CD/DVD sleeve, please insert the disc into the disc sleeve and place in an envelope. The easiest way to help protect your disc is to wrap the disc in either a folded A4 sheet of paper or in paper tissue, then place in an envelope. Ideally place the disc in a board backed C5 envelope (half A4 size) or board backed C6 envelope (see below for details on envelope sizes) or you can place a piece of thin cardboard (cereal box type) on either side of the disc and then place in a standard envelope. Otherwise send your disc(s) in a padded envelope or with bubble wrap or sheet foam around the discs in a standard envelope. Send to our Freepost address(Rep of Ireland customers only). Customers sending disc(s) from outside of the Rep of Ireland must apply the correct postage to their package for delivery to us and place "Ireland" at the bottom of our address.
Please Note: If you are sending a single disc in a C4 envelope (A4 size), please fold the envelope in half after placing the disc inside and tape the end and post it as a C5 envelope (Half A4 size). This prevents the disc from moving around inside a large envelope.
If you require any advice on posting your disc(s) with care, please do not hesitate to contact us.
A standard disc dimesion is 12 cm diameter - 12 x 12cm.
C5 Envelope Dimensions: 23 x 16cm closed - Ideal for sending discs
C6 Envelope Dimensions: 19 x 14cm closed - Ideal for sending discs - (Board backed CD/DVD size envelope)
C4 Envelope Dimensions: 32.5 x 23 cm closed - Not ideal for sending discs
Please note that some standard C6 envelopes are slightly smaller and shall not fit a disc in them.
Board Backed Envelopes are normally printed "Please do not bend" on the bottom left of the envelope and have a rigid cardboard back on the envelope to help prevent items from bending.
Sending multiple discs:
If you have paper or plastic CD or DVD sleeves, please insert each disc in separate sleeves and place all discs in an envelope. This shall stop the discs rubbing together and possibly causing more scratch damage to the discs, especially the vulnerable label side. With standard envelopes, the easiest way to help protect multiple discs is to separate the discs with sheets of paper, paper tissue or bubble wrap, then place in the envelope. Ideally place the disc(s) in a board backed C5 envelope (half A4 size) or you can place a piece of thin cardboard (cereal box type) on either side of the disc and then place in a standard envelope. Otherwise send your discs in a padded envelope or with bubble wrap or sheet foam around the discs in a standard envelope. Send to our Freepost address(Rep of Ireland customers only). Customers sending disc(s) from outside of the Rep of Ireland must apply the correct postage to their package for delivery to us and place "Ireland" at the bottom of our address.
Please Note: If you are sending discs in a C4 envelope (A4 size), please fold the envelope in half after placing the discs in side and tape the end of the envelope and post it as a C5 envelope (Half A4 size). This prevents the discs from moving around inside a large envelope.
If you require any advice on posting your disc(s) with care, please do not hesitate to contact us.
A standard disc dimesion is 12 cm diameter - 12 x 12cm.
C5 Envelope Dimensions: 23 x 16cm closed - Ideal for sending discs
C6 Envelope Dimensions: 19 x 14cm closed - Ideal for sending discs - (Board backed CD/DVD size envelope)
C4 Envelope Dimensions: 32.5 x 23 cm closed - Not ideal for sending discs
Please note that some standard C6 envelopes are slightly smaller and shall not fit a disc in them.
Board Backed Envelopes are normally printed "Please do not bend" on the bottom left of the envelope and have a rigid cardboard back on the envelope to help prevent items from bending.
3. Non-repairable discs & cases
3a. What discs cannot be repaired?
Top (label) side damage cannot be fixed as this type of damage is considered internal damage and no resurfacing or polishing will restore the disc. Damage to the top side can include scratches on the label. The simplest way to determine if your disc has label side damage is to hold the disc up to a light source and if you can see any lines or pinholes of light through the disc this means the foil layer is damaged beyond repair. Discs with label side damage may render the disc partially or completely unreadable. Any discs with cracks, chips, dents and warped discs are deemed beyond repair. Discs with any of these types of damage may cause the foil data layer where the data is effectively stored to be damaged or corrupted and beyond repair.
Inner Holding Ring Cracks: Care must be taken when removing or returning discs to and from their cases, as cracks can appear on the inner holding ring. This is a common problem and the cracks tend to get larger and larger, until they move out into the read (play) area of the disc(s). Once this occurs the disc(s) are rendered unplayable and are then un-repairable as the data foil is split internally. If cracks protrude out over approx 15mm from the edge of inner circle, this is generally deemed un-repairable, though quite often smaller cracks appear on the inner holding ring, they do not interfere with playability of the disc(s).
3b. What if I post a disc in a case?
Please do NOT send disc cases as they can be easily broken and shall incur an additional postal charge to you. If you are sending disc cases, please remove all manuals/instructions from the case.
See rates on Order Form for discs cases and/or registered postal return.
Please Note: Disc cases shall incur additional postal charges to you and no repair work shall be carried out on discs until the full charge is paid for in full. Please see our Terms & Conditions.
3c. Shipping Cases: Standard Jewel & DVD Cases
Standard DVD cases and Jewel Cases are fine for storing your discs at home or at work. Be warned, using some of these cases to ship your discs can actually damage your discs, and will also increase your shipping costs due to their size and weight. In some case, we have found that plastic Jewel & DVD cases can actually cause scratches when you try to insert or remove discs from them without proper care.
The best way to ship multiple discs is by inserting each disc in a CD/DVD sleeve (paper or plastic) or by separating all discs with paper sheets or padding such as tissue or bubble wrap and then shipping together in a board backed envelope or mailer, so as to prevent scratching against each other. If you are shipping multiple discs, you can also use a cake box or spindle. These cake boxes or spindles come in various sizes 10’s, 25’s and 50’s etc.
Contact us for rates on bulk disc repair and for shipping or transport advice.
4. Why use Us?
4a. Why use discREPAIR.ie?
Although there are a number of services that can offer disc cleaning and/or disc resurfacing, we at discREPAIR.ie use very specialised equipment that uses a worldwide Exclusive Flat Polishing Technology that ensures the very best disc repair results in the world. Our service also offers a complete Freepost service. The cost of sending your disc only to us, the repair work and the return of your disc back to you is included in one price of €5.99 (conditions apply). Our service offers an easy postal repair service, meaning you do not have to drive distances to a designated store and then pay parking fees only to possibly find out that your discs may not be fully repairable by that particular service. We can also repair Blu-ray and PS3 discs which some others cannot. Simply send your disc Freepost with payment and Order Form and get back a virtually new disc via the post.
4b. How many times can a disc be repaired?
At discREPAIR.ie, we use specialised equipment that uses a worldwide Exclusive Flat Polishing Technology that ensures the very best disc repair results in the world. The amount of times a disc can be repaired depends on the type of disc, whether it is a CD, a DVD, Games Disc or a Blu-ray /PS3 game disc.
The most repairs can be made to a CD because it has approx 99% of the plastic read side surface that can be repaired numerous times, repairable approx 50 times if lightly scratched. This is because the data is stored near the top of a CD just under the graphic label.
Next are DVD’s and Game Discs such as XBOX, PlayStation and Wii Game Discs, which has their data stored in the middle of these discs – 50% away from the read (play) side. This means that repair work can be carried out about 50% less than a CD.
Finally, Blu-ray and PS3 games discs can only be repaired a few times and if only lightly or moderately scratched due to the data being stored only approx 8% away from the read (play) side of the disc. Deep scratches on Blu-ray and PS3 games discs may not be possible to repair. These discs are also hard coated requiring specialist machinery to repair, which we can offer at discREPAIR.ie
4c. Do you offer discounts for bulk disc repairs?
Yes we do. For any large bulk discount repairs, please contact us to arrange a quotation for repair and shipping rates.
5. All about Discs
5a. How are discs made?
CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs are 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm (1200 microns) thick. The positioning hole in the middle is 15 mm in diameter. A disc usually weighs around 15-18 grams, although they can weight slightly more depending on the printed graphic label.
How CD discs are made.
Disc manufacturers receive large bulk quantities of small polycarbonate granules. These granules are compressed in to a disc shape of polycarbonate plastic by means of injection molding. In CDs, the polycarbonate layer makes up approx 99% of the discs, the remaining three layers (reflective foil, acrylic lacquer and graphic layers) make up the other 1% of the disc.
1. Polycarbonate Plastic Disc
First, data is stamped on the top side of a plastic disc creating millions of pits and bumps or zeros and ones. This layer represents approx 99% of the disc and also acts as a focus for the laser to read the data bumps imprinted into this layer
2. Reflective Foil Layer
Second, a micro thin layer of aluminum (sometimes copper, silver or gold) is applied to the top of the polycarbonate layer, covering the data in a process called sputtering. This layer reflects the laser beam back through the polycarbonate plastic disc, allowing the stamped data to be read.
3. Acrylic Lacquer Layer
Third, an acrylic lacquer is sprayed onto the disc and then spun at a high speed to create an extremely thin layer of sealant for the foil layer. This gives some protection for the foil layer from above.
4. Graphic Layer
Finally, a layer of ink is screened onto the acrylic lacquer layer as a graphic print or label. (Recordable CDs don't have this layer.)
Although compact discs are extremely durable and very convenient to use, they can be easily damaged through use and abuse.
How DVD discs are made.
DVDs are made quite similarly to CDs but with the addition of an extra layer of polycarbonate plastic placed between the reflective foil layer and the graphic label. The layers are different depths because all disc types (CD, DVD & Blu-ray) remain the same diameter and thickness. So, effectively the reflective data foil is sandwiched in the middle of a DVD (50% away from the read side) rather than near the top of a CD (99% away from the read side)
How Blu-ray and PS3 discs are made.
PS3 and Blu-ray discs are manufactured using the same materials in a similar fashion to DVDs The main difference is that the data layer is stored very close to the read side of the disc which in fact is only 8% away from the read side of the disc. This in effect leaves very little margin for any scratches that may occur to PS3 and Blu-ray discs. Any severe scratches to to these discs will render them unrepairable and useless. Only light to medium scratches may be repaired. Only disc repair service using very specilaised machinery can repair PS3 or Blu-ray discs and we at discREPAIR.ie can repair these scratches, as long as they do not reach the reflective foil or data layer.
The reason that PS3 and Blu-ray discs hold their data so close to the read side is that the very precise Blue violet laser must be extremely close to the data layer to send and receive the laser without laser distortion from the polycarbonate plastic layers, instead a hard protective coating is sputtered onto the very bottom of these discs to help prevent scratches.
5b. Why do scratches affect playback on a disc?
The data on optical discs is read by the disc player/game machine by directing a laser light onto the "read" side (play) of the disc and then being reflected back from the data foil within the disc thus returning this laser light to a sensor in the disc player/game machine to interpret the information. Scratches in the protective polycarbonate layer (read side) of the disc will effectively deflect this laser beam from being read properly. Disc errors and play freeze or skipping will depend on the severity of the scratch on the read side of the disc and can cause various playback problems including total lose of data or parts of data.
6. Disc care and cleaning
6a. Can I repair CDs or DVDs myself?
Yes, some light marks or scuffs can be easily repaired at home. You can simply use warm water (not hot as this may warp the disc) and a non abrasive detergent to wipe any light scuffs off. Always clean off any marks or dirt from the discs read side and wipe with a micro-fibre cloth before sending, just in case it is merely dirt on a discs that is causing the disc error.
For mild scratches you can also buy simple CD/DVD repair kits or scratch remover kits from online stores such as eBay for as little as €10 plus the delivery costs and most of these will come with a spray cleaner or mild abrasive solution especially made for discs and maybe even a microfiber cloth. Most of these CD Repair kits are merely disc cleaners.
Some of these scratch repair kits may even eliminate and claim to polish out some very light scratches. But beware, by trying to polish out some scratches on areas of a disc you may inadvertently leave an uneven disc surface that may cause the laser not to read the data correctly. Blu-ray and PS3 discs are hard coated on the read (play) side, so these will more than likely require a professional disc repair services with specilaised machinery.
The best way to have your disc repaired to a virtually new condition is to have it professionally repaired. We use specialised machinery that employs a worldwide Exclusive Flat Polishing Technology that can repair most discs back to as good as new condition and result in the flattest repair in the world allowing the discs to be read by the laser more precisely.
6b. Care & Handling suggestions for CDs and DVDs and Game discs
Handle discs by their outer edge or the center positioning hole.
Keep dirt or other foreign matter away from the disc.
Return the discs to storage cases immediately after use.
Store discs in a cool, dry, dark environment and not in direct sunlight.
Check the disc surface before playing or recording for dirt.
Do not touch the surface of the disc in particular the read side.
Don’t bend the disc.
Don’t use adhesive labels on discs.
Do not expose discs to extreme heat or high humidity.