Ok guys, my turn. Read/write burner problems

[Bovon]

I think I may have the problem figured out, but would like some input from you guys.

While attempting to backup a couple of new CDs today, the machine locked up, hard.

Problem: When I start to read to an image file, my reader drive gets anywhere between 50% and 90% complete, and the system locks..hard. Tried at max read, and about 1/2 speed read...same thing.

Reboot, NDD runs, scans, lost files and chains on drive D (The folder for image file is on D)

Several attemps tried, hard lockup each time.

Each reboot, NDD finds lost clusters and chains..

Closed everthing running the background, run NSP (Norton Speed Disk) retry and another hard lock.

Getting frustrated, and figuring maybe the D partition has a problem, create Temp folder on E drive. Retry, hard lock, reboot, lost clusters and chains on E drive!!.

Now, I try the burner for read and write...works fine, I burn 5 - 6 cdr's no problems. Retry cdreader..lock up at 74%, reboot, lost clusters and chains on E partition.

I notice while the reader is writing to the image folder, the main buffer never gets over 3%. The Sony and Toshiba does exactly the same for buffer loading.

System:

OS: Win98
FIC VA 503+ ver. 1.2A
K6-2 500 @ 100 mhz fsb
256 mb PC100 ram (May have a ram problem, due to other anomalys recently)
Burner: Sony CD-RW CRX140E (Auto-insert notification and DMA unchecked)
Reader: Toshiba CD-Rom XM-6702B (Auto-insert notification and DMA unchecked)
Burner soft: CloneCD Version 2.7.1.1

The Toshiba was used Monday to install two programs, and loaded those without a hitch. Seems strange that now it fails to write an image file without locking up the machine.

Anybody ever had a simular problem, found out what the cause/fix was...or, maybe something else to try here to determine where the problem may be. I am fairly convenced its the Toshiba CDR drive, and its about 6-7 months old.

Thanks.

[Richard_Cranium72]

Did ya try to reinstall the drivers/burning software

System File Checker, see if anything looks awry there.


DrVette

[This message has been edited by Richard_Cranium72 (edited 05-30-2001).]

[Donkey]

Lost me! but the only thought is that you might want to check DMA if is capable of running with it.
Or as Drvette says try reinstalling the software/drivers
Rod

[RayH]

Get rid of the VIA busmasters. Just use the Windows stocker. Also, sometimes for duplicating a CD, it may be necessary to copy it to the hard drive first, even using the CD-RW device as both the source and target drive. Yes, it requires one swap.

If you are attempting to duplicate a disc that was originally created using a packet writing problem, it could create some problems...even though it "shouldn't". If that is the case, then copy the files to the hard drive and burn as a regular data CD.

[Bovon]

Richard

No, I haven't tried a reinstall of the CloneCD soft...don't really believe thats my problem, but a good suggestion anyway...may try that later.

Tell me how to run System File Checker...its been a very long time, and I forget how to do it..minds going out on me for things I don't do on a daily basis anymore...comes with the territory I guess...age+miles, LOL

Rod

I'll try enabling DMA. Its always been disabled. Thats one of the things I picked up at a burner forum a couple of years ago when I got my first burner. Everybody said to disable DMA...so, I did...Thanks for the suggestion.

Ray

Thats interesting.

Here is what I have in Device manager:

Hard Disk Controllers:
Primary IDE Controller (dual fifo)
Secondary IDE Controller (dual fifo)
VIA Bus Master PCI IDE Controller
Properties:
Set at default (what does this mean?)
Options are:
Default,
Both IDE Channels enabled,
Only Primary IDE Channel enabled,
Only Secondary IDE Channel enabled,
No IDE Channel enabled,
Provider..M/S 5/11/1998
Driver: C:\Win\Sys\ConfigmgVXD ver 4.10.1998
Using IRQ14 & 15 plus several I/O ranges

I never do a direct CD to CD copy. I have always read to a image file, and burn from there. It does take a bit longer, but I have pleanty of time...sometimes, if the data is important enough (a borrowed/kids CD, not easily replaceable, I will copy/burn at about 2X)

I am not that 'clued in' on packet writing, ect...the only thing I have used the burner for so far is backing up my new CDs as I buy them, and if my kids buy a new game and load it, they will send me the CD to make a backup for them, which is rare anymore..my two sons have their own burners now, and this just leaves my daughter...and I may buy one for her new system I am building for her and grans.

Here is something else I have thought of sence my original post. Before buying the Toshiba to use with the Sony, I was using a Goldstar CDR...and it was flaking out. I now recall that the Toshiba has given a problem reading to a file for burning I think ever sence I installed it, but thought it was CloneCD screwing with me. Sometimes, maybe every 2 or 3 disks I would copy to a flie for burning, CloneCD locked up the system right at the very end..it apparently was thru reading the CD, but the drawer on the drive never opened, and CloneCD did not indicate a completed read. It was locked tight, and I would have to reboot, delete the file, and start over. Now...I believe it was not CloneCD causing the problem, but the Toshiba...or, as you say...maybe DMA or VIA Bus Master Drivers..

What do you suggest now?

Any other folks with some possibilities?

Thanks guys...

[Bovon]

Cadd, I bought the Toshiba to make the image file because it was faster reading than the Sony burner. After the system locked up hard, I started using the Sony for both read and write...works fine that way, just locks up when using the Toshiba...

[Bovon]

Well, I wrote Toshiba, and their reply is as follows:



BASIC DMA INFO.:

DMA: Please note that if there is no DMA checkbox available on your system,
your motherboard does not support DMA and you may need a new set of drivers
to update your motherboard. To verify the type of motherboard you have, you
visit the website of your motherboard manufacturer. Get the IDE and AGP
drivers updated. Following this, you can enable the DMA with no problem.

General DVD-ROM playback issue's with DMA:
Make sure DMA or SDT is turned on. In Windows, go into the System Properties
Device Manager, choose CD-ROM, open the CD/DVD driver properties, choose the
Settings tab, and make sure the DMA box (for IDE drives) or the Sync Data
Transfer box (for SCSI drives) is checked.

Caution: You may run into problems turning DMA on, especially with an AMD K6
CPU or VIA chipset. Check for a BIOS upgrade, a drive controller upgrade,
and a bus mastering driver upgrade before turning DMA on. If the drive
disappears, reboot in safe mode, uncheck DMA, and reboot again. You may have
to tell Windows to restore the registry settings from its last registry
backup.

There is no durn way I am gonna flash this bios...too many have tried it on the 503+, and wound up trashing the board. The chip is soldered in, so that precludes ordering a new one.

I did try to downoad the newer 4-in-one drivers, and lost connections to www.via.com.tw (http://www.via.com.tw) twice. Its a large download and after a hour, I just gave up. I do have the ability to enable/disable DMA and AIN in properties, so I may not need the driver upgrade if thats all I needed it for anyway.

Now, Toshiba says to check the box to ebable DMA and AIN, but read the following from Sony's FAQs:


Why does my computer lock up during recording?

There are a number of system issues that can cause this. First of all, ensure that the drive is plugged directly into the system, and disconnect other USB drives from the system. If you are trying to copy from CD to CD, you'll probably have more success if you copy the source CD to the hard drive before copying onto a blank CD. Check your CD-Rom Settings in your Device Manager to make sure Disconnect is checked, and Auto Insert Notification & DMA are not checked. Ghost drives, extra drives that only appear in the Device Manager in Safe Mode, can also confuse the computer into locking up and should be removed. The virtual file, scsi1hlp.vxd can cause lock-ups, and should be renamed by changing the extension from .vxd to .old. Disable background programs, especially memory resident programs like Anti-virus and Screen Saver programs. Always leave Explorer and Systray running. Finally, check to see that you have adequate free space available on your hard drive.

Just can't win. Which would you do?..go with Toshiba and enable DMA and AIN...or, Sony, and not enable DMA and AIM...

Maybe I just need to S/C the Toshiba and buy another CDR drive..

Thanks guys, appreciate the thoughts. Seems like when I come up with a problem, its always an off-the-wall type, and nobody has a clue.

[Richard_Cranium72]

Sorry I didn't see your question about SFC SOONER.

I doubt it has anyting to do with your problem , in retrospect, but it can't hurt.

Go to System Information, under system tools

Click at the top "tools"

Scroll down to system file checker

I'd ignore the always present corrupted file "user.exe"

I also fear this will only check "Windows Files" perhaps Not, ANYONE else know ??

Sorta sounds like an IRQ problem, have you looke in device mgr for such.

Don't slap me for asking, but did ya ctl+alt+del and make sure nothing like a screen saver or power saver is timing out just as you get to that point ?

I'm at a loss, I have limited experience with burners.

DrVette

[Bovon]

Okedoke, I remember now having run system file checker a long time ago. I started it tonight, and it was finding one file after another that had been changed, updated or whatever...after 30 minutes of trying to figure that out, I quit...and will re run it again when I have an off weekend, LOL...

Every file it brought up was in Windows folder tho.

There are no conflicts in Device Manager...alls well there. (first thing I checked)


I have burned a lot of stuff while running other things, apps and surfing. With CloneCD this appears to be normal, not so with Adaptec, however...but, yes...while I was trying to narrow down the cause of the problem, I did shut everything down with end task, except Explorer and systray, with no positive results. Defragged...everything I could think of No power saving stuff enabled on this machine, Before I S/C the Toshiba, I will enable DMA, install new 4 'n 1 drivers...finally got those downloaded..clean the CDR laser lens...and anything else I can possibly come up with...then, get a new...different make CDR drive. I think I may just ship the Toshiba back to Tiawan with my blessings, and ask them if it seems to be a good one to them...if so, file off any sharp edges, so it dosn't hurt anybody...and place it where the sun never shines.

[Bovon]

I just checked, and Task Monitor is not in startup...I keep startup with minumal items loaded at startup, and load them as needed.

I have not checked the box for disabling write behind caching for all drives...this is a new thought...where or why did you suggest that?...