Can a scratched/corrupt DVD harm a DVD drive in a computer?

A

AhDerrrrrrrrrrrrrr

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Yesterday, I tried to install a (DVD-ROM) game into my laptop. I believe the disc was corrupt/scratched that's why it took forever for my DVD drive to read and install the game. The DVD also made my DVD drive work overtime, which created a semi-loud humming noise. Clearly, there was something wrong with the disc. So, can a bad disc potentially damage a DVD drive?

And if it does do damage, will the damage go away after I let the DVD drive "rest" for a while or do I have to take further action?

Please let me know.
Thank you.
 
Nope, bad discs won't harm the drive trying to read them any.

Optical drives spin at different speeds depending on what the drive is doing (reading, writing, seeking & reading, etc.), so hearing a drive vibrate isn't anything to be worried about.

I had a really noisy drive in my last PC that I ended up selling after two years, and a day or two after I sold it, the woman who bought it called me saying she was worried she broke the drive after installing The Sims 2 because it was making a loud vibrating noise... heh.
 
if the DVD is scratched, it make it hard for the laser in the DVD drive to read it. It will not cause lasting effects. Remove the DVD & restart your PC. The humming you hear is the drive trying to read the DVD, Some PCs may lock up it but after a restart all will be ok. If the DVD means a lot to you, I would suggest getting a DVD cleaner for scratches, It has a VERY fine sand like paper to buff most light scratches.
 
CD and DVD drives use a light beam to scan the surface of the disc. There is no actual mechanical action between the disc and the computer hardware. Therefore it is impossible to damage your computer with a scratched DVD.
 
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