ruined DVD

[motrucker]

...

Personally, I'd think that even more unlikely than a non-physically-tampered-with DVD reader accidentally "writing" something on a DVD.  And I'd rate the odds of a DVD reader altering a DVD in a way that doesn't involve physical scratches, cracks, or warping, at about the same odds as winning the lottery jackpot.

Look for the simple explanations.  They're usually right.  The problem is sometimes they're so obvious they're hard to see.

If so, it would not keep happening to the same DVD. It looks like I have found the answers though.

[Tension]

Well gang, I just routed out a piece of software (commercially available no less) that is made to modify an original pressing DVD of Windows Vista or 7 that allows disabling features, and adding upgrades (such as service packs, etc.). This software allows you to make a new DVD with the changes, OR write the changes to the original Microsoft Windows DVD.
If this can be accomplished on Windows, I am sure it can be done on other OSes.

 
Bollocks.

[Duce]

A piece of malicious software on a system could certainly make specific discs appear to be bad or unreadable.  But as far as corrupting the actual physical media on a non RW disc with a non writer drive, not possible, or at least I've never seen it in my 10 years of being a certified MCSE/MCSA.  If it's a Win dvd directly from MS (ie, not a home written disc of the DVD-RW variant), there should be no way in hell it would have been over-written by a DVD reader.  If it was an acquired copy that's non-OEM on the original disc, it could very well have malware on it if you have autoplay enabled, would have installed itself the moment you inserted it if you are not running the latest Win security patches (USB sticks can do the same on older Windows machines lacking the latest updates).  The Sony BMG rootkitted audio CDs worked in a similar fashion.

What is the name of the software culprit you discovered, and I assume you tested said disc on other systems?

[X-ray]

Does it do the same thing on someone else's PC?

[Framiga]

Well gang, I just routed out a piece of software (commercially available no less) that is made to modify an original pressing DVD of Windows Vista or 7 that allows disabling features, and adding upgrades (such as service packs, etc.). This software allows you to make a new DVD with the changes, OR write the changes to the original Microsoft Windows DVD.
If this can be accomplished on Windows, I am sure it can be done on other OSes.

no way you can "write the changes to the original Microsoft Windows DVD"!!!

[AndyFC]

And what's the link to the info you found please?

[motrucker]

When my lawyer gives me a green light, I'll pass along along more info. Right now we are trying to nail a "hacker" who has invaded our home and work networks.
I was at a loss when I posted this thread, but have since answered my own question with much digging. I am amazed at some of the new technology out there.

[Tripitaka]

Not all your DVDs that you may assume to be pressed are folks. Short runs may in fact be burnt instead. A lot of Open University discs are done this way, even some DVD videos and multimedia titles. I know this for an absolute fact as whilst working as a DVD author I've loaded the damn replication machines myself.
As for an actual pressed disc becoming corrupted with no apparent signs of damage, not completely impossible. Sometimes the disc can have oxygen trapped in the disc that degrades the aluminium over time. It's quite rare with modern pressing methods but can occur with scratches or edge separation between the layers (moisture carries the oxygen to the aluminium via the scratches or gaps). Very rarely the inner layer can also overhang like the filling in a sandwich squeezing out past the bread. This is easily seen as small silver flakes that rub off the discs edge, this is bad news for your laser as if any flakes get on the lens they reflect the laser all over the place. This is a faulty disc pure and simple, again, this is very rare with modern pressing.
Writing meaningful data on a pressed disc? hmmm..... that I doubt, I've never heard of it being done. Writing a file on the hard drive that appends a disc and gives the illusion of an altered disc whenever it is inserted however, that isn't so hard to achieve.

[Templario]

Some DVD players only can to damage the surface of the DVD with scratches, rayons, because the head rubs with it, the lenses of these devices do not have so much light bundle as to record, although always the impossible thing can happen, but I think that you DVD suffered the damage by rayons and scratches.