My CD really looks like crap

Dis · December 10, 2002, 19:01

It has all these smudges. Is that from the CD running all the time? Anything I can do abou that?

Falconius · December 10, 2002, 19:34

Quote:

Originally posted by Dissident
Anything I can do abou that?

Wash hands before playing.

Dis · December 11, 2002, 03:21

err besides that.

My NWN cd is bad too. Too much run time I suppose. I just hope it keeps working.

notyoueither · December 11, 2002, 03:29

Dissident, find a local computer guru/shop to make back ups of the disks for you.

ChaotikVisions · December 11, 2002, 03:39

Or get a cd cleaning kit and keep your discs clean. And smudges can be caused by fingers/hands/leaving cd on something, etc... If theres dust on the tray the cd sits on, wipe it off. Other then that just not leaving it out and cleaning it now and then should work.

Stuie · December 11, 2002, 08:59

When I found smudges all over my PTW disc, I went and showed it to my 4-year old without saying anything. He immediately said "Sorry Daddy!" in a somewhat frightened voice.

Then I had a word with my wife about leaving the disc out on the desk instead of putting it in a case (of course, that flimsy paper sleave isn't going to be much help, come to think of it).

All this so the kid could use some Sesame Street Music Maker game.... how dare they mess with my PTW!

Willem · December 11, 2002, 11:15

Quote:

Originally posted by Dissident
It has all these smudges. Is that from the CD running all the time? Anything I can do abou that?

If you handle it properly you should never have that problem. Always grab it from the edges and never, ever touch the blank side. You can clean it easily with window cleaner, but always clean from the inside out, or at least across the CD not along it. That will minimize the chances of getting a scratch. And if you're not using it, put it back in the case, don't leave it lying around. They're only plastic, they can be damaged fairly easily.

FNBrown · December 11, 2002, 15:23

Quote:

Originally posted by notyoueither
Dissident, find a local computer guru/shop to make back ups of the disks for you.

Easier said than done. The copy protection on the PTW CD is pretty solid.

Franses · December 11, 2002, 16:12

The CD is very easy to smudge even if you handle it with great care (which I generally do). Mine was with smudges in exactly 8 hours!!!

Well, if that was the worst........

Sheik · December 11, 2002, 18:28

Quote:

Easier said than done. The copy protection on the PTW CD is pretty solid.

Yes it is. Good for Firaxis!

The original Civ3 CD had good protection too.

If you want to prevent the disk from getting ruined you should play with a No-CD Patch. I know some people don't like the idea but I don't think it is a problem if you own the game. Otherwise just buy a good jewel case for it.

Quote:

Or get a cd cleaning kit and keep your discs clean.

I have heard these things sometimes don't really work, is that true?

FNBrown · December 11, 2002, 20:48

Sheik, I think your post is probably gonna get Ming-ified...

notyoueither · December 11, 2002, 21:34

Quote:

Originally posted by FNBrown

Easier said than done. The copy protection on the PTW CD is pretty solid.

That's why i said guru or store.

Anything can be copied. Just have to have the right burner/software. Making back ups of program CDs is not illegal (where I am). I will not go into it further here, out of respect for the wishes of the owners of the forum.

Dis · December 11, 2002, 23:05

there was some dust on the bottom of my tray. I cleaned that out. Well since it still works, I have to hope it continues to work

But I still miss the old days of civ2. Didn't need no stinkin' cd

. could put in a music cd which was cool.

Jaybe · December 11, 2002, 23:26

Quote:

Originally posted by Dissident
...
But I still miss the old days of civ2. Didn't need no stinkin' cd

. could put in a music cd which was cool.

That's what mp3's are for. In my case, mp3's and iTunes on my iMac. If the bucks are available, an iPod (for PC) might be an option.

Willem · December 11, 2002, 23:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Dissident
there was some dust on the bottom of my tray. I cleaned that out. Well since it still works, I have to hope it continues to work

But I still miss the old days of civ2. Didn't need no stinkin' cd

. could put in a music cd which was cool.

Get a second drive, they're dirt cheap these days.

Dis · December 12, 2002, 00:52

actually I do have a second drive (CD-r)

I think civ3 is too memory intensive to use that. Well maybe not. But I cannot use the default windows cd player (a small program that did not interfere with civ2's speed) because I no longer have the direct line from my cd-rom to my sound card. I have to use software to send the appropiate info.

mp3's might be more viable, but I still have to use a program to run them.

Chuckles · December 12, 2002, 01:22

You sure it was your cd you were playing with?????

FNBrown · December 12, 2002, 13:35

Quote:

Originally posted by Dissident
actually I do have a second drive (CD-r)

I think civ3 is too memory intensive to use that. Well maybe not. But I cannot use the default windows cd player (a small program that did not interfere with civ2's speed) because I no longer have the direct line from my cd-rom to my sound card. I have to use software to send the appropiate info.

mp3's might be more viable, but I still have to use a program to run them.

Problem is that Civ3 is such a memory and resource hog, you're going to slow down your late-game even worse if you're trying to decode MP3's in the background.