DVD damage at critical level - what to do?

[iLLuSioN_sPurNeD]

Everytime I take the DVD out of the drive I return it to its case (Just in case I don't put it straight back in the drive later).

Now the DVD has developed cracks around the centre hole, and playing the game with the DVD in the drive seems to have chipped away at the lamination on the top of the disc, there are small chips all the way around the leading edge of the disc.You can't feel them when you run your finger over them but you can see them clearly when you view the DVD from the bottom.

I have really looked after this disc, its not rough handling.

So I want to find a way to avoid the obvious, the disc breaks and no more BF2142.

If I buy another copy do I have to start a new account.

Can I do something to protect the original. (apart from not ever putting it back in the DVD Case.)

[Webs961]

As for having to start a new account if you buy a new copy, no, you can use your existing account.

As for protecting the original, you can check local video/movie rental shops in the area to see if they're willing to resurface your disk for a fee. I know Blockbuster around here has a resurfacing device, and they'll charge you something like two or three dollars to resurface a disk. If not, there are some devices you can buy out there to do the same thing. It'll recoat the laminate on the disk and hopefully fill in some of those cracks before they continue to expand.

[iLLuSioN_sPurNeD]

Great thanks Webs I'll just buy another copy.

I took a photo to show the chips and on closer inspection, there is a series of marks on the lip of the DVD, it looks like my drive has been chewing it. The silver layer under the surface seems fine, so it may be just wear caused by alot of playtime (woohoo!) and a DVD drive thats not to gentle with discs.

I don't have a web address that is set up to post images so I won't be posting the image.