Exploding CD (This is no joke)

[Ratwoman]

Hello Everybody,

My name is Elly, but I call muself Ratwoman because we have 14 petrats.
I'am 41 years old and a Tomb Raider fan since day one.
I always enjoyed playing untill today, something very disturbing happened.
I was in the mood to play Tomb Raider Chronicles again, so I put the cd in the CD Romplayer (yes, I put it in correctly), and then I started installing.
This was working for about 5 seconds when I heard a big bang and I felt something hit me (not hard).
I turned around and saw that the CD romplayer wasn't closed anymore but open a little bit, the cd inside was completly shattered.
The cd litteraly had exploded inside the cd romplayer, this is no joke, it really happened that way :(
The CD romplayer is damaged beyond repair and it was only three weeks old, so you can understand I'am feeling horrible.
Now my question is, does anybody know where I can send an email to Eidos????????
I have been trying to find an emailadres but I cannot find one.
I'am not out to sue them or anything, although I would really like the game replaced and maybe a replacement for the CD romplayer thats all.
I hope somebody here can help me.
Thanks in advance.

Ratwoman aka Elly.

[Xcom]

Originally posted by Ratwoman
although I would really like the game replaced and maybe a replacement for the CD romplayer thats all.

Sorry to hear but I don't think Eidos will be able to help you, not with you cd-drive anyway. Generally you should be able to find a contact address somewhere on the last pages of the game's manual. (my manual, not from chronicles but other Eidos game, mentions custserv@eidos.co.uk )

By the way, CD's usually don't explode by themselves. (edit: Or so I thought). It must have been a hardware (cd-rom drive) fault. What could have caused it- one can only speculate: power surge, something short-circuited inside it. You should try contacting the manufacturer of the cd-rom or the place where you bought it (you should have warranty on it since you say it's only 3 weeks old).

edit:

Interesting link, Nerevar.
Maybe Eidos has embedded a thin semtex layer in the Chronicles cd. :D
In all my gaming history, I've never experienced this. *knocks on wood* Maybe it IS a cd's fault.... :eek: Good luck, Elly.

[Ratwoman]

Hi,

Thanks for replying.
The cd wasn't scratched first of all.
Second, it is very well possible for a cd to explode inside the cd romplayer.
When a cd rom is made, it sometimes happens that one side of the cd is a fraction thicker then the other, those cd's can explode when put in cd romplayers up to 52 speed.
The problem is that you can't see this :(
Anyway, thanks for the emailadres, I wrote them and all I can do now is wait.
The cd romplayer is going back to the manufacturer tomorrow and they will take a look at it, with some luck they can repair it, although I doubt it, seeing the mess inside :(
I'll wait and see what the verdict will be.
Thanks again.

Ratwoman aka Elly.

[ragsy]

I'm with you on this one Ratwoman

A CD should be able to spin at 10,000rpm which is ample to cope with a 52x player

The CD is the cause of your woes and EIDOS should be man enough to admit that they sold a faulty CD to you, which by no fault of yours caused the destruction of your player

For a laugh and to learn a bit about how fast these things can go have a look at this site (http://www.powerlabs.org/cdexplode.htm)

[Monkeys]

Originally posted by Ratwoman
CD romplayer

http://www.tournament.com/forums/images/smilies/haha.gif

Anyway, never heard of exploding CDs, so this sounds more like poor excuse for the "I sat on my CD and broke it and want a free replacement" story.

[The Amazing Rando]

Well, you may never have heard of it, but that doesn't mean it doen't exist. Instead of accusing somebody of lying to cheat a company, you could just take their word for it or just stay silent.

I have heard of it, including an instance that had it's own thread here with pics. Just becuase you haven't heard of something before, doesn't mean it's not true. There are plenty of examples, including (for me) waiters just sitting down at your table while taking your order. I hadn't heard of this before Fri or Sat. night, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna accuse those who've had it happen of lying.

[Monkeys]

As I understand, to explode at 50x a CD needs at least a small crack in it or something to that extent. She has pointed out that there were no cracks or scratches, which makes it hard to believe. I also understand that she has used the disk before and it was ok. I'm not sure what could have happened to it while it was laying around. If during this time it was not stored properly or was exposed to some damaging conditions, then it's user's fault, and not Eidos'.

I have encountered many cases of people messing up their CD's and then coming up with stories to blame the company and get a free replacement. I'm not trying to accuse her of lying, I'm just suggesting a side of the story that's more probable for your consideration.

[theBlackman]

Monkey's

I suggest three things.

First, read the rules of use for this and other EIDOS forums.

Second read all the posts and links in a thread before you shoot your mouth off.

Third, drop the vulgar Sig.

[Aquarius]

:D Thank you tB for saying something too! :D

[DjZ]

oh a cd exploding is possible :(

http://fp.macwd.plus.com/evilweb/oxide/1.jpg

i did notice on my soviet cd that small cracks have started around the inside of the hole som im not gonna put that cd in as that could go bang aswell

adam

[Solange]

Ratwoman, I'm sorry to hear about your cd! I hope everything works out for you!

Welcome to the forum!

Although your reason to come here was not happy I still hope you'll enjoy this place! You have many fellow TR fans here! :)

[Ratwoman]

Hi,

Well, I have an update on the matter.
Not from Eidos though.
Something else first though.,
I'am not amused by the posts made by this Mokey (good name though, you behave like one)
I'am 41 years old, I think I really do know how to safely store a cd, which I did, I did not sit on it or anything and I most certainly did not break it myself. I don't have kids either, so they couldn't have done this.
I have found out that is is very well possible for a cd to explode inside the cd romplayer, it does not need to have little cracks for that.
Try and look it up somewhere, I do know what causes this problem, but I'am not english or american and I haven't got a clue as how to translate that into english.
Anyway, my hubby went to the store where we bought the cd romplayer, it's a very good store, with only top stuff and they know my husband very well because he always buy's his computerthings there.
Well, since I phoned them yesterday they were aware of the problem and when they saw who he was they simply took back the destroyed cd romplayer and gave him a completely new one, because the problem of exploding cd roms is known, although thank god not a daily happening.
They felt bad that it happend with a cd romplayer that was only three weeks old and they dind't have to do this at all, because the fault really lies with the cd rom.
This is what I call great service towards your customers.
So all I want from Eidos now is a new Tomb Raider Chronicles cd, if they will do that.

Ratwoman aka Elly.

[Deekman]

Originally posted by Ratwoman
I'am not amused by the posts made by this Monkeys

You are not alone.

[CatSuit&Ponytail]

You won't have to worry about it any more. It's (http://forums.eidosgames.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19636) been taken care of.

[Ratwoman]

Originally posted by CatSuit&Ponytail
You won't have to worry about it any more. It's (http://forums.eidosgames.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19636) been taken care of.

Thanks :)
I think I'am really going to like it here, looking by the way the people here responded to my message :D
Although I will also be reading a lot in the special Tomb Raider Forum here :D
Thanks everybody, I'am so happy that everything so far is solved so great, all I need now is a new cd, and if Eidos won't help me, tough luck, then I'll certainly buy a new one myself.
The cost of cd player AND new cd would have been a lot, but just the cd is not to bad :)

Ratwoman aka Elly :cool:

[CatSuit&Ponytail]

Originally posted by Ratwoman
all I need now is a new cd, and if Eidos won't help me,

Have you asked them yet? :)

[Ratwoman]

Originally posted by CatSuit&Ponytail
Have you asked them yet? :)

Hi,

Yep, I have, but so far no response.
But hey, I send the email yesterday, and an update about the (free) replaced cd player today, so lets give them some time :cool:

Ratwoman aka Elly.

[Ertac]

OMG! Good luk on getting that cD sorted :):):)

[LARAMANIAC]

I'm glad you are gonna stick around Ratwoman, you really weren't greeted originally by a typical forum member!! Welcome on over, we are generally a friendly and helpful bunch!!! :D

[ragsy]

a bit off topic but is it legal to burn a backup cd so that that when it flies apart from excessive play you still have your original?

[Jorge22]

I don't know, maybe laws do vary from country to country, but I would say yes. You may copy anything which is already yours as long as it is for your personal use.

As for the thread, may I say I also found a small crack on my TRLE CD and it wasn't because I used it wrongly or anything. Apparently, the same thing has happened to other TRLE CDs... I emailed Core and they said they would replace it against 5 pounds and the old CD (God, how I miss Susie Hamilton!). Fortunately, my brother had one and he didn't use it, so he gave it to me.

[Saba]

Welcome to the forums, Ratwoman.

I suggest you return the CD and everything that came with it to the store from which you purchased it. You should get a full return or exchange; the CD was defective (the retailer should then be able to return the defective CD to the manufacturer himself). That saves you a lot of trouble and time, and you won't have to pay Eidos to ship you a new CD.

[theBlackman]

It is not uncommon for CD's to develop cracks. The "Hard" jewel box containers with the center clips can cause stress cracks to develop from the removal and insertion of the clip into the hole in the CD.

It is not a prevelant problem but is not rare.

Also as Ratwoman mentioned an unbalanced CD disc can explode in the newer highspeed players.

A person can get a defective player, as well as a defective disc, and can unknowingly cause damage by popping the disc out of the Jewel box before the "clip" is completely released from the CD.


The crack need not be very big, and unless the individual examines each CD for cracks with a magnifying glass prior to every use, could end up with a blown CD and player.

As is mentioned in the following link that Nerevar dug up, there is data from manufacturers in the links from this thread.

http://forums.eidosgames.com/showthread.php?threadid=12757

http://www.rm.com/safety/

[Ratwoman]

Hi Everybody,

Thanks for al the nice welcomes I've had here :D
The problem about the cd is also solved now :D
As Saba suggested I went back to the store where I bought it, showed them what happend and no problem, they took it back and I will get a new cd for free as soon as it's in, they have to order it first.
So everything is solved, yippppppppppie :D :D
As for the question from Ragsy, here in The Netherlands it is legal to make a back up copy, as long as you keep it for personal use, stupid that I didn't think of that earlier, then I would still be able to play, now I will have to wait for a new one.
But you bet I will be making copies of all my favorite games now ;)
Thanks for all the nice replies I've had :)

Ratwoman aka Elly.

[Diva]

Glad to here all has ended well and you now have your new disc. :) .........and Welcome to the forum......enjoy.

[Saba]

Originally posted by Ratwoman
As for the question from Ragsy, here in The Netherlands it is legal to make a back up copy, as long as you keep it for personal use, stupid that I didn't think of that earlier, then I would still be able to play, now I will have to wait for a new one.
But you bet I will be making copies of all my favorite games now ;)


The CD would still explode in your CD burner.

[Ratwoman]

Originally posted by Saba
The CD would still explode in your CD burner.

Could you explain that for me????
Why would the copy also explode?

Ratwoman aka Elly.

[The Amazing Rando]

I think he meant that when you put it into the burner to make a copy, the original would've exploded in the process. Meaning, it didn't matter what drive if the disc was ready to go, it was gonna go. That's my understanding at least.

[Solange]

But this was a disc that had been used many times. It was not the first time it was used that it exploded. So if you, hypothetically, take a brand new disc, that is going to explode 2 years from now, and put it in your burner and make a back up, then you use the original disc till it explodes, and then you use your back up disk! (until that explodes too) It isn't going to explode sooner because you put it in your burner!

Now I'm really confused! :D

[Saba]

You guys are right; I thought the CD was BRAND NEW and that it exploded on its first use. I reread Ratwoman's post right now and discovered that this was not the case.

My reasoning was that since the CD was brand new and it was defective, it would have exploded on its first use, whether or not that would have been in a CD Burner or in a CD-ROM drive. This was not the case, however, for it appears that Ratwoman had the CD for some time before it exploded.

Didn't mean to confuse everyone.:)

[Ratwoman]

Originally posted by Saba
[Bfor it appears that Ratwoman had the CD for some time before it exploded.

Didn't mean to confuse everyone.:) [/B]

Hi,

This is right, I had Chronicles since the day it was released here in the Netherlands :cool:
So it's about 2 to 2 and a half years old now I think :)
No confusion here ;) ;)

Ratwoman aka Elly.

[Haunt-of-Doom]

This has nothing to do with Eidos, you probably need more fans for your computer.'

Hrm... maybe I should read more from now on ;). I heard the CD was defective or something. I don't really think that's Eidos' fault tho..

Can't imagine how a CD would explode tho.

"A new weapon? Thats right! New and improved, explosive CDs! Designed with tomb raider on it, it will appear nothing more than a mere game to most, when really.... ITS A BOMB!"

:D

[Ratwoman]

Originally posted by Haunt-of-Doom
This has nothing to do with Eidos, you probably need more fans for your computer.'

Hrm... maybe I should read more from now on ;). I heard the CD was defective or something. I don't really think that's Eidos' fault tho..

Can't imagine how a CD would explode tho.

"A new weapon? Thats right! New and improved, explosive CDs! Designed with tomb raider on it, it will appear nothing more than a mere game to most, when really.... ITS A BOMB!"

:D

No, I do not need more fans for my pc, and no, the cd most definitely was not defective.
Next time read the intire thread before you reply please.
Cd's can explode, okay, it doesn't happen every day, but it does happen.
Now, your last sentence is fun though, really, secret weapons hidden inside cd games LOL :D :D

Ratwoman aka Elly.

[Apocrypha Roxy]

Ratwoman, sorry to hear about your disc woes. Eidos will replace your disc - I remember when my sister took TR:TLR over to a friend's house for a sleepover (which is when I first joined the old forums) and her backpack got sat on. And the disc was in her backpack. And guess what happened? :rolleyes:

So RedLegg directed me to a link so I can get a replacement disc. And indeed I got one. :)


CS&P: Muahahaha... I'm so bad... and right about it, too! :p

[Matt from Spam Buddies]

Originally posted by Apocrypha Roxy
Ratwoman, sorry to hear about your disc woes. Eidos will replace your disc - I remember when my sister took TR:TLR over to a friend's house for a sleepover (which is when I first joined the old forums) and her backpack got sat on. And the disc was in her backpack. And guess what happened? :rolleyes:

Wait-wait-wait! What happened then?

:D

- Matthew

[Saba]

I think when Ratwoman says "explode" or "exploding CD" you're all thinking the CD actually DID exploding, meaning that you think that it erupted violently, spurting flames and noxious fumes.

Not true.

A better way to put it would be to say that the CD disintegrated. It was simply defective and too weak to hold its self together under the enormous centrifugal forces that occurred as it spun at close to 10000 rpm in her new, probably faster, CD-ROM drive. Consequently, it reached its breaking point and simply fell apart inside her computer. And as it was spinning at 10000 rpm when it fell apart, it fell apart rather quickly and violently in an explosive fashion. But still, it didn't explode like a firecracker or a bomb.

[theBlackman]

Originally posted by Saba
I think when Ratwoman says "explode" or "exploding CD" you're all thinking the CD actually DID exploding, meaning that you think that it erupted violently, spurting flames and noxious fumes.

Not true.

A better way to put it would be to say that the CD disintegrated. It was simply defective and too weak to hold its self together under the enormous centrifugal forces that occurred as it spun at close to 10000 rpm in her new, probably faster, CD-ROM drive. Consequently, it reached its breaking point and simply fell apart inside her computer. And as it was spinning at 10000 rpm when it fell apart, it fell apart rather quickly and violently in an explosive fashion. But still, it didn't explode like a firecracker or a bomb.

In terms of using the word "Explode" meaning to "Detonate" with massive expansion of heated gasses and gusts of air moving at high velocity, your definition is factual.

Having experienced the violent disintegration of a disc confined in a closed space, I will tell you that the resultant impetus of the shards of material do indeed make a tremendous noise, and scatter pieces much like an exploding grenade.

So, in this case the use of the word "Explode" in its various forms of past, present, future, tenses is not without precedent.

explode.


Main Entry: ex·plode
Pronunciation: ik-'splOd
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): ex·plod·ed; ex·plod·ing
Etymology: Latin explodere to drive off the stage by clapping, from ex- + plaudere to clap
Date: circa 1611
transitive senses
1 archaic : to drive from the stage by noisy disapproval
2 : to bring into disrepute or discredit <explode a theory>
3 : to cause to explode or burst noisily <explode a bomb>
intransitive senses
1 : to burst forth with sudden violence or noise from internal energy: as a : to undergo a rapid chemical or nuclear reaction with the production of noise, heat, and violent expansion of gases <dynamite explodes> b : to burst violently as a result of pressure from within
2 a : to give forth a sudden strong and noisy outburst of emotion <exploded in anger> b : to move with sudden speed and force <exploded from the starting gate>
3 : to increase rapidly <the population of the city exploded>
- ex·plod·er noun

[JunoJIm]

What's interesting to me, is that it was the Chronicles CD that exploded...

The SAME one that exploded on me...
http://junojim.homestead.com/files/TRC_Disk.jpg
very interesting...

I just bought a new one, but after looking at Blackman's reference, I check my CD's for cracks in the center - BTW, I took my CD drive out (HP 9700 CDRW), shook all the loose pieces out, and it still works fine...

[MLN]

Originally posted by Ratwoman
Hi,

This is right, I had Chronicles since the day it was released here in the Netherlands :cool:
So it's about 2 to 2 and a half years old now I think :)
No confusion here ;) ;)

Ratwoman aka Elly. 2 - 2.5 years old? And they replaced it?! Now that's a nice company. If it was me, I'd have told you to bugger off ;)

2 years old and it's their fault how?

[Wee Bald Man]

This happened to a lot of people using the TR Level Editor disc that came with the Chronicles disc:

http://forums.eidosgames.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12509

After about the fifth time I heard this happening to other community members I decided to play it safe and made a back-up which I have used to this day.

The original disc is still sitting on a shelf. Just looking at it makes me nervous.. :D

[Saba]

Originally posted by theBlackman
In terms of using the word "Explode" meaning to "Detonate" with massive expansion of heated gasses and gusts of air moving at high velocity, your definition is factual.

Having experienced the violent disintegration of a disc confined in a closed space, I will tell you that the resultant impetus of the shards of material do indeed make a tremendous noise, and scatter pieces much like an exploding grenade.

So, in this case the use of the word "Explode" in its various forms of past, present, future, tenses is not without precedent.

explode.


Main Entry: ex·plode
Pronunciation: ik-'splOd
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): ex·plod·ed; ex·plod·ing
Etymology: Latin explodere to drive off the stage by clapping, from ex- + plaudere to clap
Date: circa 1611
transitive senses
1 archaic : to drive from the stage by noisy disapproval
2 : to bring into disrepute or discredit <explode a theory>
3 : to cause to explode or burst noisily <explode a bomb>
intransitive senses
1 : to burst forth with sudden violence or noise from internal energy: as a : to undergo a rapid chemical or nuclear reaction with the production of noise, heat, and violent expansion of gases <dynamite explodes> b : to burst violently as a result of pressure from within
2 a : to give forth a sudden strong and noisy outburst of emotion <exploded in anger> b : to move with sudden speed and force <exploded from the starting gate>
3 : to increase rapidly <the population of the city exploded>
- ex·plod·er noun

You have to understand that every word in our vocabulary has a denotation and a connotation. Few people, if any, will look up the word 'explode' in a dictionary the moment they read it to find an exact definition. Instead, they tend to quickly assume the most popular and widely used meaning of the term in question--the connotation. In this case, when RatWoman wrote that her CD exploded in her CD-ROM drive, she was not making an exaggerrated or unwarranted claim--as you pointed out above, one of the many definitions of the term explode is indeed to burst noisily. But still, while her characterization of her CD's disintegration as an explosion is factually correct, it can be misleading. Forum members will read her posts and immediately assume the connotation of the term explode, (the primary and popular meaning we've picked up over the years from witnessing explosions of various sorts--to burst apart violently, spitting flames and noxious fumes) which will then lead them to believe that her CD was some sort of explosive or flammable device that erupted spontaneously inside her computer.

Naturally, it is hard to believe that Ratwoman's CD exploded in this fashion. This in turn leads forum members to reject her comments incredulously and tease her. This is simply why it would be better to say that the CD disintegrated.

And isn't that exactly what it did? I would feel more comfortable saying that it disintegrated. It didn't exactly explode--def: to burst forth with sudden violence or noise from internal energy--it simply fell apart in an explosive, violent, and sudden fashion as a result of external forces.

[Apocrypha Roxy]

Here, make it easier for all of you...

It shattered. It fractured. It collapsed. It blew to smithereens. It popped.

It went Ka-BOOM. :)

[theBlackman]

Originally posted by Apocrypha Roxy
Here, make it easier for all of you...

It shattered. It fractured. It collapsed. It blew to smithereens. It popped.

It went Ka-BOOM. :)

Roxy, I love it when you talk dirty. :D

[JunoJIm]

Ka-Boom it what it seemed like - especially when it's approximately at eye level, and I found pieces up to ten feet away - it blew the door off the drive (which I glued back on, after emptying all the fragments out)...

[Apocrypha Roxy]

Originally posted by theBlackman
Roxy, I love it when you talk dirty. :D


That's what Lifebuoy Soap is for! (Dirty girls, only!)
http://smilies.jeeptalk.org/contrib/blackeye/lol.gif

[monkeylizard]

Originally posted by Monkeys
http://www.tournament.com/forums/images/smilies/haha.gif

Anyway, never heard of exploding CDs, so this sounds more like poor excuse for the "I sat on my CD and broke it and want a free replacement" story.
Lmao, I agree!

[Umah Bloodomen]

Hey Roxy & tBM, you wouldn't happen to have any more of your *wonder product* left over would you? :rolleyes: