Damaged XP CD

[Deejay3d]

Okay, here's the scoop. I had Windows XP MCE 05 OEM installed on my rig. I ended up getting the "Ulitimate" virus, I'm sure some of you are familiar with this? It acts like it is a Windows security program and tries to get you to click on its links to take you to its site to download a program. Basically just annoying. Couldn't get rid of it after several attempts with McAffe Virus Scan, manual removal, etc. So after a lengthy back-up of game files, pics, etc. I decided to just do a complete reinstall. Installed everything and got up and running, and thats where the headaches began. Nvidia driver wouldn't stay, kept on reverting to generic drivers. Then my network wouldn't setup. Then Windows Firewall/ Internet Connection Sharing Service would not work. So, I start from scratch again. When I get into Windows Setup, it gets to the part where you set up your partitions. I get the error: "Windows cannot format the partition, the disc may be damaged". So, long story short, I found that my install disc has a nasty scratch/scuff right in the middle in a perfect ring all the way around it. I Guess the DVD Drive dropped it, or something. So now it won't go through setup. I have tried to make a copy of it, but there are files damaged in the i386 Folder, from about MSPAINT to about midway through the "N" files. Someone told that some of these files are useless, and windows will run without them. But I still can't get around them. When I try to copy the folder, it errors. And I even tried manually copying all the folders before the scratch, then the ones after, and getting the damaged files off of another XP Home CD. But the problem is that, when I install Media Center Edition, it shows up as XP Professional during the setup. So, once I had my "frankensteined" boot disc made up. when I boot from it, it loads and starts to setup, then it says, "Please insert the CD labeled Windows XP Home SP2". Is that because the some of the files came from a Home version? I am trying to do a back up of the disc right now with a program called "GRBackPro". It gave me an option to abort damaged files and continue. I don't know if this will work or not. I am about at my wits end here.

Is there an easier way to do this? Is there a way to fix the damaged disc? Worst case scenario: can I get another copy seeing as how it is an OEM version bought from a local computer shop?

Sorry for the lengthy post, but any help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED! Thanks in advance!

BTW: I used these guides to do my back-ups
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=297
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/windowsxp/winxp-sp2-bootcd.html(without the slipstream, just copy of disc)

[MajorDomo]

My first thought would be to contact the shop where you bought the OEM and see what they can do as a remedy. Since the disk is fubar and the mobo is linked to your OEM license there's not too much you can with it. It they can't help, call Microsoft and arrange for a replacement disk. They will dereg the old license and issue another tied to the replacement OEM disk.

[Deejay3d]

You know, I've heard that before, about it being tied to the mobo, but when I bought MCE I installed it on a Gigabyte mobo, then I upgraded to and Asus mobo, and it installed and activated without a hitch. As a matter of fact, the only thing that has not changed in my system is the HDD, and it is now a slave. So, I don't get that "tied to mobo" thing. I am going to call the Computer shop in the morning, since it is now Sunday and they are closed. I was just hoping to remedy this myself, but it is looking grim.

[Deejay3d]

Does anyone else have any ideas?

[SuperSubZero]

Just show the damaged disc to the store. Worst case scenario, they can just copy one of their other MCE discs and give it to you.

PS- I can't see how software can recover data from a physically damaged disc. Short of attempting to recover parity info, how can it recover data it can't possibly know?

[jasondean98]

another option is download the media 2005 iso file from a torrent site,it should activate as you have a genuine key.;)

[Dzero]

I use a fine polishing compound for car finishes to restore scratched CD's. Just use your fingers, it will take several minutes of rubbing if it's deep. It's worked on every one I've tried it on.

[Deejay3d]

I tried a bit of cleaner wax I have from a detail shop I worked at, but it didn't seem to do any good. The only polishing compound I have is Mother's. You think that might work? I also have some of the Dremel polishing compound, now that I think about it. Maybe take the ole Dremel to it? (j/k :p)

[xX_Jack_Carver_Xx]

There is nothing wrong with your license key. The disk is irrelevent, any OEM MCE SPx disk will work, using your current key.

The shop you got it at can make you a copy, and you still use your key, Im sure thier contract with MSoft allows this.

If you really want a good hologram disk, contact MSoft and Im sure they'll sell you a replacement disk for a few bucks.... again, no new license number, just a disk.

The KEY is not tied to a specific disk. The disk is not tied to a specific motherboard. The fine print of the license/user agreement on OEM disks technically says it is for the machine you bought it on, but MSoft is pretty flexible on an individual basis. If you try re-install/activating the OEM copy too many times, you'll get the old PHONE CALL requirement, and will have to explain whats up to a human.

Same goes for retail, I have XPpro retail and had some weird incompatibility issue that forced me to reinstall a few times to feret out what was happening.... so I ended up on the phone at activation time. But explain, get new long number, and away you go.

[Dzero]

I tried a bit of cleaner wax I have from a detail shop I worked at, but it didn't seem to do any good. The only polishing compound I have is Mother's. You think that might work? I also have some of the Dremel polishing compound, now that I think about it. Maybe take the ole Dremel to it? (j/k :p)

The Mothers might work. Test it on a blank first. You will be able to see the scratch clear up as you go. Wash it off with water to check your progress. The data is on the label side so you don't have to worry about going too deep. The Dremel compound might be a course cut for metal polishing.

I use the Turtle Wax Polishing Compound paste in a can product. Originally, I had used it to clear up foggy plastic automotive headlight lenses, works quite well for that also.

I've tried a Turtle Wax liquid that worked fairly well and a Meguires cleaner/polisher that barely worked at all. If it says its a cleaner/ polisher or has wax in it, don't bother with it, you'll be rubbing for hours.

[GlobalFear]

Toothpaste does wonders for scratched disks. Theres also the boiling technique but I've never tried it.

[Whiznot]

If there is a business in your area doing exchanges of used CDs they will have a resurfacing machine. I recovered a bad Windows XP OEM disc for $3 at a local CD Exchange.