Do CD cleaners work pretty well?

Well, I've been collecting up old Dreamcast games, but the problem is most of them (all of them so far) have been used, and if I know one thing about used games it's that not everyone takes care of their games the way I do.

So, now I've got a problem as my copy of Soul Calibur freezes randomly, doesn't play music during battles, and sometimes the screen will completely mess up. I checked the back of the disk, and there aren't really any huge gashes in it, but perhaps just one of the few larger scratches on it are causing the problem. So, is it worth it to get a CD cleaner? Or are they pretty much a waste of money?

If you get a CD cleaner, you have to go all out. You need the buffer that spins the disc and wears down the protective plastic coat on the data side to a smooth finish, and you need to either buy a spray to put a new layer on, or some sort of clear cover. I've done the same for my favorite XBOX and PS1 games and they've lasted a long time. It's worth the investment if you have a lot of disc media so go for it.SpookyDog321

Well, you've obviously got one. What's one worth spending money on?

I don't believe a CD cleaner is going to help resolve your problem. CD cleaners only do what they're name implies: clean CDs. You can get some rubbing alcohol and a very soft cloth to clean you CD. The results are identical.

What you're experiencing sounds like there has to be some sort of scratches on the CD that are disrupting the lens from reading the CD. Also vice versa. The lens may need to be cleaned as well. I'd recommend getting a lens cleaner than a CD Cleaner. They are CDs that have little bristles or bruches on the bottom that help clean the lens. Takes a minute at most and is easy.

One of my friends just told me that rubbing car wax in small circles on the disc is a good method. He leaves it on for a couple of hours and then peels it off. He's gotten great results from it.muthsera666

Seriously? :shock: LOL that sounds too good to be true might try it on one of my old games.

CD cleaners are perfect if your disc has a lot of smudges or dust on them. But if you have deep scratches it doesn't work. No amount of cleaning will get out those scratches.

I don't believe a CD cleaner is going to help resolve your problem. CD cleaners only do what they're name implies: clean CDs. You can get some rubbing alcohol and a very soft cloth to clean you CD. The results are identical.

What you're experiencing sounds like there has to be some sort of scratches on the CD that are disrupting the lens from reading the CD. Also vice versa. The lens may need to be cleaned as well. I'd recommend getting a lens cleaner than a CD Cleaner. They are CDs that have little bristles or bruches on the bottom that help clean the lens. Takes a minute at most and is easy.

whisperingmute

Really!? I think I'll try that :)

I don't believe a CD cleaner is going to help resolve your problem. CD cleaners only do what they're name implies: clean CDs. You can get some rubbing alcohol and a very soft cloth to clean you CD. The results are identical.

What you're experiencing sounds like there has to be some sort of scratches on the CD that are disrupting the lens from reading the CD. Also vice versa. The lens may need to be cleaned as well. I'd recommend getting a lens cleaner than a CD Cleaner. They are CDs that have little bristles or bruches on the bottom that help clean the lens. Takes a minute at most and is easy.

whisperingmute

Well, Soul Calibur is the only game I own for my Dreamcast that actually doesn't read properly. Last game I had that did this same thing was Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (Sad I know, but that was used when I got it as well. Back when it was only $13 thankfully), and THAT game had scratches too. I'll try rubbing alcohol though.

What's a good lens cleaner though? I might as well do it since that might be causing the problems.

[QUOTE="whisperingmute"]

I don't believe a CD cleaner is going to help resolve your problem. CD cleaners only do what they're name implies: clean CDs. You can get some rubbing alcohol and a very soft cloth to clean you CD. The results are identical.

What you're experiencing sounds like there has to be some sort of scratches on the CD that are disrupting the lens from reading the CD. Also vice versa. The lens may need to be cleaned as well. I'd recommend getting a lens cleaner than a CD Cleaner. They are CDs that have little bristles or bruches on the bottom that help clean the lens. Takes a minute at most and is easy.

treedoor

Well, Soul Calibur is the only game I own for my Dreamcast that actually doesn't read properly. Last game I had that did this same thing was Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (Sad I know, but that was used when I got it as well. Back when it was only $13 thankfully), and THAT game had scratches too. I'll try rubbing alcohol though.

What's a good lens cleaner though? I might as well do it since that might be causing the problems.

[QUOTE="treedoor"]

[QUOTE="whisperingmute"]

I don't believe a CD cleaner is going to help resolve your problem. CD cleaners only do what they're name implies: clean CDs. You can get some rubbing alcohol and a very soft cloth to clean you CD. The results are identical.

What you're experiencing sounds like there has to be some sort of scratches on the CD that are disrupting the lens from reading the CD. Also vice versa. The lens may need to be cleaned as well. I'd recommend getting a lens cleaner than a CD Cleaner. They are CDs that have little bristles or bruches on the bottom that help clean the lens. Takes a minute at most and is easy.

guthwulf_de

Well, Soul Calibur is the only game I own for my Dreamcast that actually doesn't read properly. Last game I had that did this same thing was Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (Sad I know, but that was used when I got it as well. Back when it was only $13 thankfully), and THAT game had scratches too. I'll try rubbing alcohol though.

What's a good lens cleaner though? I might as well do it since that might be causing the problems.

A lens cleaner has helped my PS2 read God of War. Sometimes it doesn't read it, but when I run the CD to clean the lens, only then will it read God of War(it'll read any other Game just fine before cleaning lens).

Well, I've been collecting up old Dreamcast games, but the problem is most of them (all of them so far) have been used, and if I know one thing about used games it's that not everyone takes care of their games the way I do.

So, now I've got a problem as my copy of Soul Calibur freezes randomly, doesn't play music during battles, and sometimes the screen will completely mess up. I checked the back of the disk, and there aren't really any huge gashes in it, but perhaps just one of the few larger scratches on it are causing the problem. So, is it worth it to get a CD cleaner? Or are they pretty much a waste of money?

treedoor

Well, you're obviously talking about major scratches, not the nicks that you get with most optical media. "CD Cleaner" is a term that is used to describe a substance etc. that cleans any dust etc. etc. but the thing you seem to be implying is a hardcore buffing machine, not some weird paste.

One of my friends just told me that rubbing car wax in small circles on the disc is a good method. He leaves it on for a couple of hours and then peels it off. He's gotten great results from it.muthsera666

Ok, NUMBER 1: YOU WIPE OUTWARDS FROM THE DISK CENTRE AND NOT AND I MEAN, NOT IN CIRCLES SINCE THIS CAN DISRUPT THE READABLE SECTORS AND POTIENTIALLY RUIN THE CD!

Otherwise, do it.

yes

[QUOTE="muthsera666"]One of my friends just told me that rubbing car wax in small circles on the disc is a good method. He leaves it on for a couple of hours and then peels it off. He's gotten great results from it.boron1995

Ok, NUMBER 1: YOU WIPE OUTWARDS FROM THE DISK CENTRE AND NOT AND I MEAN, NOT IN CIRCLES SINCE THIS CAN DISRUPT THE READABLE SECTORS AND POTIENTIALLY RUIN THE CD!

Otherwise, do it.

For the most part, yes. The only time it shouldn't work is if scratchesare very deep.

i dont trust disc cleaners... ever since i bought one from wal-mart it scratched my discs... i just do it gently by hand... it takes a lil longer but its worth it.