I popped in a disk from Simpsons Season Six last night (disk one I think) and the episode "Lisa on Ice" wouldn't play. (Sony dvd player - plays everything I throw in it just fine.)

All other episodes on the disk play fine - just not that one. The set came out a while ago and the receipt is long gone.

The disk looks unmarred but I tried cleaning it anyway - no change.

What to do? I don't want to buy a whole new set just for one episode, but missing that one does bug the collector in me.

Would one on those big disk cleaners help? (I was thinking of getting one anyway since so many Nexflix disks arrived scratched.)

I could buy a used set I suppose, but you run the risk of getting an even worse one.

Of the retail gaints - which one might exchange it without a receipt? The box is mint.

TY for any advice.

Buy another one at Sam's (All seasons are $17.76)

With THIS receipt, take the damaged one back...Get a new Season 6..(You now have 2 unopened Season 6s)

Keep one and sell the other on ebay, to a friend, used store, etc. Chances are you WILL lose a little money, but not as bad as rebuying the entire box set again.

Your best bet is to contact the issuing studio, in this case Fox. Many studios will replace discs that have such problems. Check their website and see if there's a section that covers obtaining replacements for faulty DVD's. They won't usually require a receipt, but will ask you to mail in the faulty disc.

If the disc doesn't show obvious damage, such as heavy scratching, dirt etc, then cleaning it is unlikely to help. Sounds like a manufacturing defect. You might try playing it in a different player, to eliminate the possibility of some compatability issue with Sony players.

Go crazy! What I ended up doing after 3 eps in every Stargate SG-1 season that went pixy or skippy on me! That or wait for BR/HD version now and hope they fix all the past errors.

Some people saw boil the DVD, I tried it once and it didn't help......but it didn't make things any worse either.

all the methods mentioned above are good ideas. i'd simply buy another set and give that set to someone who doesnt mind one episode not working

Know anybody that has this same set or a way to rent it from Blockbuster or Netflix to see if it is just your disc or a manufacturing "feature" that disagrees with your player? Or, vice versa, any other players (friends/relations/neighbors) you can test the disc out at?

It's really worth checking the disc out in another player - friend, PC DVD-ROM drive, whatever. If it plays fine, then it is possible that there's an issue with that particular disc and your player.

In which case, a replacement might do the same.

Alternatively, see if you can find the same disc from a different set (rental, friend, library, whatever) and see if that also won't work in your player.

But from the symptoms you describe, it sounds unlikely. Most player incompatability issues cause things like freezing up, skipping, etc.

You could also try asking nicely at the store. I've had success with that before, they are usually reasonable if you're asking for a replacement rather than a refund - particularly if the one you're handing in is is good condition. ie you're not trying to scam a refund for something you're just bored with and don't want anymore, or you've messed up the packaging or disc yourself and are trying to score a free replacement.