Germination prob. Taproots turn brown. ???

Been trying to germinate various seeds for the better part of 2 months now. Hitting consistent issue with the seeds starting to germinate and then the tiny taproots turning brown and stop growing.

I am using the papertowel method. Have used both tap water and distilled water. Once put in the p-towels, the damp p-towel with the seeds is then placed in an unused xbox video game case and kept in a warm place (temp ranges from 75-85.

What is this? Help please? I've blown through like $60 worth of seeds already. Will the taproots being exposed to light cause a browning? My xbox case may not be lightproof enough. Could this be some type of infection? Would peroxide work? Any thoughts, suggestions, experience with this issue would SERIOUSLY save my arse here.

The only time I had brown taproots was when I left the seeds in the container for almost 2 weeks and the paper towels dried out causing the taproot to dry out and die.

as above...the only time I have also had that happen is when they dried out. in being more careful the second time around, I have so far been able to avoid that again. good luck man!

Thanks for the responses fellas. I don't think it's drying out as that xbox game case keeps it from losing moisture. Lately, I've taken to changing the p-towel every day and rewetting before I put seeds in. But the drying out suggestion sparked another option that I didn't previously think of. Maybe they're getting cooked? I haven't seen much about the appropriate temperature range for germing seeds yet. I did start all of these seeds right on top of my dvr unit cause it's dark and definately hot in there. Such a small space that I can't take a temperature in there. Thanks for the suggestions.

I currently have 3 seeds germing (since Sunday). 2 have shown the tiniest of taproots. Both taproots look brownish and when I pick them up off of the ptowel, it even leaves a brown spot on the towel. I just took these 3 seeds, poured some peroxide in a shot glass, and dropped them in. It looked like a Guiness in there. Fizzing and bubbling all over the seeds. This leads me to think that there is a strong likelihood of infection (bacterial to be specific). In retrospect, I am handling the seeds with my hands and probably not washing directly before I put them in. I just transplanted to new ptowels (with di water) and am no longer using the xbox game case for fear of not being light proof enough. I put the ptowels on a plate that I covered with a bowl and place in my veg/flower room (runs between 75-85 during the daytime). Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

yea the temp might be a problem. Though in my case, I have always only ever done this using a dark cool (relatively - like 66-70F) room. And I also now try not to disturb them, like checking but once a day only and with care. Hope things work out for ya. we'll keep watching....cheers!