Game has a big ring around it - EA Sports Madden NFL 09 for Xbox 360

This happened to me also. I checked with the store I bought it from and they said "the death ring" is caused by not placing the X-Box 360 horizontally. Evidentally the compression springs that hold the disc in place are not strong like WI and PlayStation for vertical operation.

The disc is most likely rubbing on the laser lens. The lens is held on rails which is held up by rubber boots that may have came loose and/or popped up forcing the laser lens to close to the disc. Make sure disc tray is aligned properly as well.

Your disc was most likely laserburned. The xbox will do this if you run a disc for a long stretch, this problem may occur... To continue playing the game, you will need to obtain a good disc and install the game to your hardrive. You will then be able to play the game on your laserburned disc.

they game may be damaged or your laser to read games may be to low. if you look on the disc and has a big ring around it justtake it to get it fixed and if the laser is to low go take it to get it fixed. :)

This has happened to our 360. It seemed to happen the the 360 was on its side, We make sure that we do not force the games in fast, or remove them fast. If you need to get the scrathes out of the disc. Local game store can remove them. Or you can buy a kit @ Meijer or Walmary to remove scrathes from the disc.

If your xbox is making that ring around your disc chances are you are playing your xbox standing up, if you lay the xbox down on its side this may fix the problem atleast it did for me. And as for the the midnight club freezing all the time it is still doing this on my xbox, copy the game to hard drive, and it should deffinitly limit the game from freezing, it worked for me.

Shifty Tazz

i had this problem... make sure the xbox dosent move while you are playing it if it does than make it stop somehow

A common problem that XBOX owners are reporting is if the console is moved during play, a whirring noise is heard and then when the disc is removed, very visible laser burn rings are found on the disc.


Laser burn, looks like complete or partial circular scratches around your disc, also known as “ring of death marks”. This occurs to discs when the games console has been moved whilst playing, from an upright to a horizontal position or vice versa or simply knocked against or the wires may have been just tripped upon. Discs are then impaired by a ring of laser burn, which is a circular scratch into the disc. Some home remedies may help with very light scratches on some discs but a professional disc repair service is usually required to repair any scratches or laser burn on discs. They can be fixed!!!

For further help on XBOX & XBOX 360 disc repairs, visit:

www.discREPAIR.ie Get Scratched Discs Repaired Back to "As Good As New Condition".

Check the “More Info” & “FAQ” Sections for further details on game disc repairs and related matters.

If this laser burn scenario is consistently happening to your game discs especially if the console has not been moved or bumped against while the discs is in play, the games console itself may require repair.
You should contact Microsoft for assessment and guidelines.

Hope this Helps!!!

It's caused by badly pressed discs - due to shake caused by the high speeds of the disc spinning and then catching the laser assembly. There are things you can do such as place foam pads inside the DVD drive itself, so discs cannot move as much when they spin.

the disc is broken look at it closey for scartches are look for a big ring around the disc. then clean the disc.