Microsoft KB Archive/816785

= Xbox: You receive the &quot;There is a problem with the disk you are using. It may be dirty or damaged.&quot; error message =

Article ID: 816785

Article Last Modified on 4/25/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Xbox
 * Microsoft Xbox

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SYMPTOMS
You may receive the following message while you are playing a game, a CD, or a DVD:

There is a problem with the disk you are using. It may be dirty or damaged.



CAUSE
This is a standard in-game error message that you receive if the Xbox console cannot read the disc correctly. Any one of the following situations can cause this behavior:
 * A dirty disc
 * A damaged disc
 * Malfunctioning hardware



THINGS TO TRY
Determine how many discs and the types of discs that exhibit this behavior. Follow the appropriate steps to troubleshoot this behavior.

Note 1 If a saved game file is corrupted, it can produce a disk error message in that game, particularly when the game starts. You can resolve this issue by deleting all saved game files for the affected game from the Xbox hard disk. This method is effective approximately twenty-five percent of the time. If you experience this disk error message with more than two games, this procedure will likely not resolve the issue.

Note 2 Do not use laser lens cleaners or similar products. Microsoft has not determined the effectiveness of these products or the affect they may have on the Xbox system. Microsoft cannot promote or recommend any type of laser lens cleaner for use with the Xbox Video Game System.

Clean the disc and examine the disc for flaws or scratches

 * 1) Hold disk by the edges without touching the surface with your fingers.
 * 2) Clean the disk with a soft, clean cloth, lightly wiping from the center outwards.
 * 3) Do not use solvents or chemicals to clean the disk.
 * 4) After you clean the disc, examine the disc for any scratches or defects. If you find any defects that are not caused by typical wear and tear, return the disc to the retailer if it still under warranty.

Copy and delete any saved games from your hard disk
Note To copy saved games, you must have an Xbox Memory Unit (MU). You must copy saved games to a MU before you delete them.  Start your Xbox console with no disc in the disc tray. The Xbox Dashboard appears. On the Main Menu screen, press the directional pad (D-pad) up or down to select Memory, and then press the A button. On the Memory screen, press the D-pad up or down to select Xbox Hard Disk, and then press the A button. On the Xbox Hard Disk screen, press the D-pad up or down to select the game title you want, and then press the D-pad left or right to select the saved game you want to copy. On the Copy/Delete screen, press the D-pad up or down to select Copy, and then press the A button. On the Copy To screen, press the D-pad up or down to select the memory unit you want to copy to, and then press the A button. Press the B button to return to the games list on the Xbox Hard Disk screen.</li> On the Xbox Hard Disk screen, press the D-pad up or down to select the game title you just copied a saved game from, and then press the A button.</li> On the Copy/Delete screen, press the D-pad up or down to select Delete, and then press the A button. You receive the following message:

Are you sure you want to permanently delete this saved game?

</li> Press the D-pad left or right to select Yes.</li> Repeat these steps for each saved game on the Xbox hard disk. If you have many saved games but you can remember when you started to receive the disc error message, you can just delete the saved game files that you created after that time.</li></ol>

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