Scratched game discs and artifacting

[Saturos]

Hello everyone! I have always wondered something and wish for someone to fill me in. Not just HL2, but games in general, what are the symptoms of a scratched disc other than skipping, stuttering, and freezes? Will several small scratches cause other small glitches like artifacting? Of course, I'm talking about console games and I guess it could be applied to the Xbox version of HL2 as well as other PC games without a NoCD patch. I know. This is a HL2 forum, but you guys are gamers either way, so I figured someone here could provide me with an explanation. Anyhoo, even with a cool system/console and all the latest updates, I still notice some artifacting in some games, that's why I'm asking. Thanks!

 

[Narvi]

In console games, IIRC, scratches which would cause artifacting simply make the game not run.

 

[giant384]

scratches would only make the console have a harder time reading the disc. it could result in slower load times but artifacting comes from overheating just like a pc.....

 

[Saturos]

Hey thanks for clearing that up guys! But just one more question. Artifacting, which is caused by overheating VRAM, correct? What would be some other symptoms of artifacting other than white lines and pixels? The white lines and pixels I'm referring to tend to show around places where textures meet.(i.e. wall and floor segments) This is definitely artifacting right? It'd be easier to explain if I was talking about PC games, I'd just send some screenshots, but it's mainly a console game I'm speaking of. I have little trouble with artifacting in HL2 after all. Someone suggested once to take the console out and blow it out with an air compressor. That the dust is interfering with circulation inside the console and causing the VRAM to overheat. What do you guys think?

 

[giant384]

dust can be a big problem in airflow circulation; so i would recommend doing that. also i still dont really know how to help you though unless i see a picture. just go get a camera and take a picture. dont use the flash though or it will reflect off of the tv.