Unable to Install

Zero Niner · 02-16-17, 10:07 AM

Any idea/tips how I might try to salvage the DVD? The SH4 is not as pristine as the UBM disc.
Edit:
I popped the sh4 dvd into my son's laptop. The install screen popped up. So for some reason the dvd drive on my desktop won't read the dvd although it appears to be fine.

propbeanie · 02-16-17, 10:27 AM

Damp, lint-free cloth, like a soft old T-shirt, gentle strokes from the inside hub towards the outside edge, NO CIRCULAR motion, just inside to the outside. I've also held disk under a stream of water, gently wiping, and then set them in the center of a soft cloth, folding the corners up to gently wipe dry. Those were disks that my then 4 & 6 year olds got jelly fingers on... You do not want to scratch the disk further. The next thing to do is copy the disk (actually, both of them). You of course need a DVD-R (+R) burner and a blank disk. The +R usually have the best "compatibility" for game disks, which is probably a function of the software actually... If your computer came with a burner, it probably has a recorder app that can "clone" or copy a disk. You might need a lot of error checks while doing it, if the disk is in bad shape. If you have a Linux install, RR and others could point you to some really good stuff. Some programs will read sectors multiple times and be able to get better results than most of the software that comes with drives. Another thing to remember is that drives can wear out, and the laser might be getting weak. If you have a 2nd computer with another drive, you could see if the disk works in that computer, and then go from there...

Rockin Robbins · 02-16-17, 03:59 PM

I take the opposite approach for scratches. Take a good washcloth and a dab of toothpaste. Wet the disk and with the disk on a good hard flat surface honk down on that thing with your thumb and scrub.

The abrasives in the toothpaste will remove ANY scratches, believe me I have rescued disks that were tremendously scratched. Medium pressure, work in swirls or circles. Occasionally wash the disk off to see where you still need to work. When you're done the surface might not be shiny. It might have a matte finish but it won't matter.

Dry the disk, put it in the drive and it WILL WORK fine. Delicacy is overrated.

propbeanie · 02-16-17, 06:59 PM

I'd try the gentle approach first though, since it might just be dirt...

But yeah, if she's scratched-up bad and not working when trying to do a good copy, polish away and see if you can get 'er to go. It does work sometimes. "Sensitive Teeth" formula or "Super Whitening" is not necessary...

Rockin Robbins · 02-16-17, 07:32 PM

I've never had a disk so scratched on the clear side that it didn't work after the toothpaste trick. But the technique is not intended to be used merely to remove dirt.

Zero Niner · 02-16-17, 08:39 PM

Thanks for the tips. What I don't understand is how come the laptop can read the DVD but my desktop can't.
Frustrating as hell.

Delanski · 02-16-17, 08:45 PM

Popped in to say it might be your DVD Drive. I've had an issue where my DVD drive wouldn't read my Arma 2 disc, then tried it another on computer and it worked. I replaced the drive shortly afterwards.

Even though, your drive can read your UBM disc, it probably hates the SH4 disc for whatever reason. I'd say if you have another DVD drive laying around somewhere, it wouldn't hurt to use that instead.

Zero Niner · 02-16-17, 08:50 PM

Thank you. AFAIK this particular drive hasn't had any issues reading all manner of CDs and DVDs. But then nowadays these are rare, almost everything is digital.
I'm asking around to borrow a portable DVD drive that I could use.

02-16-17, 10:07 AM	#1
Zero Niner Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,033 Downloads: 69 Uploads: 0	Any idea/tips how I might try to salvage the DVD? The SH4 is not as pristine as the UBM disc. Edit: I popped the sh4 dvd into my son's laptop. The install screen popped up. So for some reason the dvd drive on my desktop won't read the dvd although it appears to be fine. Last edited by Zero Niner; 02-16-17 at 10:19 AM.

02-16-17, 10:27 AM	#2
propbeanie CTD - it's not just a job Join Date: May 2016 Location: One hour from Music City USA! Posts: 10,117 Downloads: 451 Uploads: 2	Damp, lint-free cloth, like a soft old T-shirt, gentle strokes from the inside hub towards the outside edge, NO CIRCULAR motion, just inside to the outside. I've also held disk under a stream of water, gently wiping, and then set them in the center of a soft cloth, folding the corners up to gently wipe dry. Those were disks that my then 4 & 6 year olds got jelly fingers on... You do not want to scratch the disk further. The next thing to do is copy the disk (actually, both of them). You of course need a DVD-R (+R) burner and a blank disk. The +R usually have the best "compatibility" for game disks, which is probably a function of the software actually... If your computer came with a burner, it probably has a recorder app that can "clone" or copy a disk. You might need a lot of error checks while doing it, if the disk is in bad shape. If you have a Linux install, RR and others could point you to some really good stuff. Some programs will read sectors multiple times and be able to get better results than most of the software that comes with drives. Another thing to remember is that drives can wear out, and the laser might be getting weak. If you have a 2nd computer with another drive, you could see if the disk works in that computer, and then go from there... __________________ "...and bollocks to the naysayers" - Jimbuna Last edited by propbeanie; 02-16-17 at 10:30 AM. Reason: typos!!!

02-16-17, 03:59 PM	#3
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,900 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	I take the opposite approach for scratches. Take a good washcloth and a dab of toothpaste. Wet the disk and with the disk on a good hard flat surface honk down on that thing with your thumb and scrub. The abrasives in the toothpaste will remove ANY scratches, believe me I have rescued disks that were tremendously scratched. Medium pressure, work in swirls or circles. Occasionally wash the disk off to see where you still need to work. When you're done the surface might not be shiny. It might have a matte finish but it won't matter. Dry the disk, put it in the drive and it WILL WORK fine. Delicacy is overrated. __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS

02-16-17, 06:59 PM	#4
propbeanie CTD - it's not just a job Join Date: May 2016 Location: One hour from Music City USA! Posts: 10,117 Downloads: 451 Uploads: 2	I'd try the gentle approach first though, since it might just be dirt... But yeah, if she's scratched-up bad and not working when trying to do a good copy, polish away and see if you can get 'er to go. It does work sometimes. "Sensitive Teeth" formula or "Super Whitening" is not necessary... __________________ "...and bollocks to the naysayers" - Jimbuna

02-16-17, 07:32 PM	#5
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,900 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	I've never had a disk so scratched on the clear side that it didn't work after the toothpaste trick. But the technique is not intended to be used merely to remove dirt. __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS

02-16-17, 08:39 PM	#6
Zero Niner Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,033 Downloads: 69 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the tips. What I don't understand is how come the laptop can read the DVD but my desktop can't. Frustrating as hell.

02-16-17, 08:45 PM	#7
Delanski Electrician's Mate Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Australia Posts: 133 Downloads: 116 Uploads: 0	Popped in to say it might be your DVD Drive. I've had an issue where my DVD drive wouldn't read my Arma 2 disc, then tried it another on computer and it worked. I replaced the drive shortly afterwards. Even though, your drive can read your UBM disc, it probably hates the SH4 disc for whatever reason. I'd say if you have another DVD drive laying around somewhere, it wouldn't hurt to use that instead.

02-16-17, 08:50 PM	#8
Zero Niner Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,033 Downloads: 69 Uploads: 0	Thank you. AFAIK this particular drive hasn't had any issues reading all manner of CDs and DVDs. But then nowadays these are rare, almost everything is digital. I'm asking around to borrow a portable DVD drive that I could use.