flash4master
09-28-2000, 05:24 PM
found this over at cdrom-guide.com (yes it is being used with permission)
-------------------------------------------
Hint's and Tips
-----------------------------------
Common Terminology
DAO = Disk At Once; This is by far the preferred method of burning all CDR disc's. Especially audio, you will need to have an entire CD ready for burning and this will finalize the disc so that no more data or audio can be burnt to the disc.
This allows all CD readers to be able to read the CD. You can also delete the 2 second gap between audio tracks in this mode.
Remember you must finalize/close a CDR in order for it to be read in standard CD Players!
TAO = Track At Once; This is similar to DAO but writes only one track at a time instead of an entire disc.
Some burners do not support DAO so must use this setting instead.
It is also used by several Clone type copying programs to allow more CDR's the ability to copy CD's 1 to 1.
Multi-Session Recording
Allows you to record more than once to a CDR or CDRW disc. However it should be used for data only, as audio recorded in this fashion will not be able to be played in any but a PC type CD reader.
Buffer Underrun
This is one of the most common error's you will see.
And is caused when the CDR's buffer does not receive data fast enough from the source to maintain a steady uninterrupted burn.
If the Buffer's resources become to low, the burn will fail.
Solve this by slowing down the write speed and/or selecting the option to copy the data or music to your Hard Drive prior to burning.
On the fly copies will result in errors and audio noise, skips, chirps, etc, much of the time due to Buffer Underuns.
So, good rule of thumb, use your Hard Drive for imaging/copying most everthing you burn.
Learn more here -> Cyrus-troy's BufferUnderun (http://www.cyrus-troy.freeuk.com/buffer.htm)
ASPI = Well, let's just say it's a Virtual SCSI Driver that allows Windows to communicate with your CDRW. And along with Firmware, is the only Driver needed by a CDRW.
And you need to update it once in a while.
Go here for the Latest Version and the Utility to Check the Status and Date of your current ASPI Layer -> Adaptec Support Files-ASPI (http://www.adaptec.com/support/files/upgrades.html)
And if you care to read more in depth about ASPI go here -> ASPI Drivers Explained (http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/~aa571/aspi.htm)
Win2k also presents it's own set of problems when it comes to ASPI layers. So read here for an Essay on what to do by Yaa -> Yaa's Win2k ASPI Essay (http://www.cyrus-troy.freeuk.com/yaa2.htm)
Also ASPI installation can give you problems if you have no Adaptec software installed.
In that case try using Force ASPI from the files section here -> Clone Clinic (http://welcome.to/cloneclinic)
AIN = Auto Insert Notification; This is what notifies Windows that you have inserted a CD into one of your drives and runs it auotmatically.
It is a very good idea to disable this function when a CDRW has been installed. Especially once you have several burning apps installed on your PC. It can and will cause problems.
Find out how to do this here -> Cyrus-troy's DMA, AIN, Article (http://www.cyrus-troy.freeuk.com/dma.htm)
DMA = Direct Memory Access; This allows your device to load data directly into memory. Thereby putting less burden on your CPU. If your CDRW will function properly with DMA enabled, than do so.
However it is a tricky one to deal with. Some burners and systems will function better with it disabled, some have to have it enabled, such as the new Plextor 12/10/32.
If you are having problems burning try changing the current setting on your PC.
Find out how here -> Cyrus-troy's DMA,AIN Article (http://www.cyrus-troy.freeuk.com/dma.htm)
*NOTE- Since we seem to be having a lot of this I thought I would add that the Sync Data Transfer should also be DISABLED. Unless you have a SCSI burner.
You will find this option right next to the DMA box.
Firmware
This does several things in relation to how a device works. It will control support for 80 minute CDR's, software and many more things.
So update it as neccesary. You will usually find updates at your burner manufactures' website in the support area.
However make sure yu get the one made specifically for your CDRW!
Learn more here -> Cyrus-troy's Firmware Explanation (http://www.cyrus-troy.freeuk.com/dma.htm)
And here are a few of the other places you can look. ->
Farzeno Firmware Page (http://perso.club-internet.fr/farzeno/firmware/)
Firmware.com (http://www.firmware.com.bi/)
CD Freaks IDE Firmware (http://borg.cdfreaks.com/~hardware/reviews/2000/05/17/atapi.html)
Cdr-Info's list (http://www.cdrinfo.com/firmware/)
DAE = Digital Audio Extraction; This is the term that refers to how fast your CDROM or CDRW can process and extract audio.
The faster the better.
Some drives are much better at this than others.
---------------------------------
Hints
Defragment your Hard Drive Frequently when Burning.
Record in DAO or TAO Mode.
Image/Copy Audio and Data to your Hard Drive Before Burning.
Attempt On the Fly Audio Copying Only if your CDROM is Capable of High DAE Rates.
Data is Not So Tricky.
Close All Other Apps when Burning.
Set Burn Speeds Relatively Slow, 2x-4x and work up from there. Find out what works best for your system and setup.
Generally the Slower The Better results you will obtain.
Correct installation for a CDRW.
Read here -> How to Install a CDRW by Yaa (http://www.cyrus-troy.freeuk.com/yaa1.htm)
------------------------------------
Media
Use only good branded CDR's and CDRW's.
Might cost a tad more but beats making coasters.
What works best for some may not for you!
This is one area you may need to experiment in. Some CD players are very particular on what brand and colour they like best.
And CDRW burners seem to have better results with one brand vs another.
Audio Only CDR's
It is a common misconception that these are somehow better at copying audio.
This is NOT true.
They are made for the stand alone audio copiers and have an extra charge included to reimburse the record industry for the right to copy audio with these devices!
80 Min CDR vs. 74 Min CDR
For the most part 80 min's will work fine. However your drive needs to support them.
Your firmware version will sometimes determine this, so check for an update if it cannot write on 80 min CDR's.
And some readers will have a more difficult time starting and finding audio tracks with 80 min's.
I wish to extend a special thanks to Cyrus-troy and Yaa for the use of thier essays and help.
-------------------------------------------
Hint's and Tips
-----------------------------------
Common Terminology
DAO = Disk At Once; This is by far the preferred method of burning all CDR disc's. Especially audio, you will need to have an entire CD ready for burning and this will finalize the disc so that no more data or audio can be burnt to the disc.
This allows all CD readers to be able to read the CD. You can also delete the 2 second gap between audio tracks in this mode.
Remember you must finalize/close a CDR in order for it to be read in standard CD Players!
TAO = Track At Once; This is similar to DAO but writes only one track at a time instead of an entire disc.
Some burners do not support DAO so must use this setting instead.
It is also used by several Clone type copying programs to allow more CDR's the ability to copy CD's 1 to 1.
Multi-Session Recording
Allows you to record more than once to a CDR or CDRW disc. However it should be used for data only, as audio recorded in this fashion will not be able to be played in any but a PC type CD reader.
Buffer Underrun
This is one of the most common error's you will see.
And is caused when the CDR's buffer does not receive data fast enough from the source to maintain a steady uninterrupted burn.
If the Buffer's resources become to low, the burn will fail.
Solve this by slowing down the write speed and/or selecting the option to copy the data or music to your Hard Drive prior to burning.
On the fly copies will result in errors and audio noise, skips, chirps, etc, much of the time due to Buffer Underuns.
So, good rule of thumb, use your Hard Drive for imaging/copying most everthing you burn.
Learn more here -> Cyrus-troy's BufferUnderun (http://www.cyrus-troy.freeuk.com/buffer.htm)
ASPI = Well, let's just say it's a Virtual SCSI Driver that allows Windows to communicate with your CDRW. And along with Firmware, is the only Driver needed by a CDRW.
And you need to update it once in a while.
Go here for the Latest Version and the Utility to Check the Status and Date of your current ASPI Layer -> Adaptec Support Files-ASPI (http://www.adaptec.com/support/files/upgrades.html)
And if you care to read more in depth about ASPI go here -> ASPI Drivers Explained (http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/~aa571/aspi.htm)
Win2k also presents it's own set of problems when it comes to ASPI layers. So read here for an Essay on what to do by Yaa -> Yaa's Win2k ASPI Essay (http://www.cyrus-troy.freeuk.com/yaa2.htm)
Also ASPI installation can give you problems if you have no Adaptec software installed.
In that case try using Force ASPI from the files section here -> Clone Clinic (http://welcome.to/cloneclinic)
AIN = Auto Insert Notification; This is what notifies Windows that you have inserted a CD into one of your drives and runs it auotmatically.
It is a very good idea to disable this function when a CDRW has been installed. Especially once you have several burning apps installed on your PC. It can and will cause problems.
Find out how to do this here -> Cyrus-troy's DMA, AIN, Article (http://www.cyrus-troy.freeuk.com/dma.htm)
DMA = Direct Memory Access; This allows your device to load data directly into memory. Thereby putting less burden on your CPU. If your CDRW will function properly with DMA enabled, than do so.
However it is a tricky one to deal with. Some burners and systems will function better with it disabled, some have to have it enabled, such as the new Plextor 12/10/32.
If you are having problems burning try changing the current setting on your PC.
Find out how here -> Cyrus-troy's DMA,AIN Article (http://www.cyrus-troy.freeuk.com/dma.htm)
*NOTE- Since we seem to be having a lot of this I thought I would add that the Sync Data Transfer should also be DISABLED. Unless you have a SCSI burner.
You will find this option right next to the DMA box.
Firmware
This does several things in relation to how a device works. It will control support for 80 minute CDR's, software and many more things.
So update it as neccesary. You will usually find updates at your burner manufactures' website in the support area.
However make sure yu get the one made specifically for your CDRW!
Learn more here -> Cyrus-troy's Firmware Explanation (http://www.cyrus-troy.freeuk.com/dma.htm)
And here are a few of the other places you can look. ->
Farzeno Firmware Page (http://perso.club-internet.fr/farzeno/firmware/)
Firmware.com (http://www.firmware.com.bi/)
CD Freaks IDE Firmware (http://borg.cdfreaks.com/~hardware/reviews/2000/05/17/atapi.html)
Cdr-Info's list (http://www.cdrinfo.com/firmware/)
DAE = Digital Audio Extraction; This is the term that refers to how fast your CDROM or CDRW can process and extract audio.
The faster the better.
Some drives are much better at this than others.
---------------------------------
Hints
Defragment your Hard Drive Frequently when Burning.
Record in DAO or TAO Mode.
Image/Copy Audio and Data to your Hard Drive Before Burning.
Attempt On the Fly Audio Copying Only if your CDROM is Capable of High DAE Rates.
Data is Not So Tricky.
Close All Other Apps when Burning.
Set Burn Speeds Relatively Slow, 2x-4x and work up from there. Find out what works best for your system and setup.
Generally the Slower The Better results you will obtain.
Correct installation for a CDRW.
Read here -> How to Install a CDRW by Yaa (http://www.cyrus-troy.freeuk.com/yaa1.htm)
------------------------------------
Media
Use only good branded CDR's and CDRW's.
Might cost a tad more but beats making coasters.
What works best for some may not for you!
This is one area you may need to experiment in. Some CD players are very particular on what brand and colour they like best.
And CDRW burners seem to have better results with one brand vs another.
Audio Only CDR's
It is a common misconception that these are somehow better at copying audio.
This is NOT true.
They are made for the stand alone audio copiers and have an extra charge included to reimburse the record industry for the right to copy audio with these devices!
80 Min CDR vs. 74 Min CDR
For the most part 80 min's will work fine. However your drive needs to support them.
Your firmware version will sometimes determine this, so check for an update if it cannot write on 80 min CDR's.
And some readers will have a more difficult time starting and finding audio tracks with 80 min's.
I wish to extend a special thanks to Cyrus-troy and Yaa for the use of thier essays and help.