CDRW problems pt. 2

[Dr. Wapazoid]

Thanks for the replies on my last CD-RW post. Okay, I reconfigured my drives so that the recorder is the Primary Slave, and my Toshiba 24x is my Secondary Slave. All screensavers are off, as well as any programs working in the background. Currently, I'm using Maxell CD-R74 blanks with my Ricoh CD-RW, and the only one that burned correctly was an experiment consisting of only 9 megs. Maxell isn't one of the brands Ricoh recommends, but I thought I'd ask around anyways. Usually, the burn would just "stop" after no more than 15% (for a 450 meg transfer using WinOnCD)This may sound like a dumb question, but please...humor me. Is there any kind of test to see if my Ricoh isn't defective? My PC's power supply actually went out about two weeks ago, but the drive was performing the same when I first bought it. Could it just be the Maxell's? I've heard that TDK was a good brand to use.

[Ed_S]

TDK is good brand, but so it Maxell. What software are you using? Is it the WinOnCD you mentioned?

I have Sony CD-R, tertiary master, AOpen 40x, tertiary slave, 4 disc 6X changer, secondary slave, rest are HDs. Using Adaptec Easy CD Creator.
Had coasters at first, then learned to shut down everything possible, which you've already done.
CD Creator has option under "Tools" menu - "Use windows temp directory" Have found it better to uncheck this and choose largest available empty directory or partition.
Also, always choose "test and create". Any problems should occur during test phase, still possible to get underrun, but less likely.
Also always run the validate layout option last thing before starting burn, if your software has this.
If you're doing a copy, can you copy entire CD to HD first, then burn?

Just read your previous thread, did you ever check the power management? Make sure that PM options are set to "disable" in the bios, and that "allow windows to manage power" is unchecked in Contol Panel's Power util.

As AuraEdge & Mntsnow said, EVERYTHING else needs to be off. One tip AuraEdge mentioned is easy to miss -
go do somthing for 15-20 minutes while it burns
I once interrupted a burn just by impatiently moving the mouse around. Set it up best you can and leave it be. ANY little thing requires processor time and can screw it up.
Since learning how to set up properly, I've so far had 0 coasters. Zip.
BTW, I've found that any media will work, just that the cheap CDs can't be read by most drives and are not reliable after being burned - but they work great for testing, at least for me.

[Mntsnow]

Doc,

I still stand by my sugesting that I gave it your first thread on the way to configure the drives....maybe I didnt explain it very well.

Primary Master = Main hard drive
Primary Slave = CD Rom

Secondary Master = CD BURNER
Secondary slave = 2nd hard drive

The above configuration works best if you are doing CD to CD burning or using the "windows temp" directory for Hard drive to CD burning. (the reason for this is the IDE buss channel can only work with 1 device request at a time) so if you have both the "supply drive" (wiether it be CD or Harddrive) and "burner" on the same channel you WILL HAVE PROBLEMS.

As for Disks.

I personally use TDK as they are 8x certified. Maxell is only 6x certified, Memmorex is 4-6x cerified (depends on which one's you buy) And for the neighborhood kids that I burn freeware internet games for I use "generic" no name brand cd's and just burn them at 2x or 4x....(remember I have a Scsi Plextor 8x burner) http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I would also try using different software for burning. Use either Adaptec's or Nero...and becareful trying to install both of those software packages on the same machine....If you do the only way to get them to work with each other is to

Install Adaptec's then Nero and then REINSTALL Adaptec's....(something that Nero installs overwrites a Adaptec's shared file)

I personally use Adaptec's Ez cd creator and CD Copier deluxe and like them very much.

Good Luck

Mntsnow


[This message has been edited by Mntsnow (edited 07-17-99).]

[Dr. Wapazoid]

I really appreciate your responses. I will reconfigure my drives. Is it realy better to choose a different directory other than windows/temp? I'll try that as well. The software that came with the CD-RW was WinOnCd 3.5. Can you explain a little bit more about APM's that I need to disable in my cmos? I noticed one option in particular: PM control by APM. Am I to disable this? I've got an AOpen AX6BC mobo. Thanks again for taking the time out to reply. I'm a little green when it comes to burning, as you can probably tell.

[Ed_S]

Agree with Mntsnow about both configuration and software. Using different area for swap works better for me, but then I direct it to a different drive entirely.
Yes, disable the PM control.
Never heard of WinOnCD software, Adaptec's came with my drive, and with most others I've seen. Easy to learn & work with.

You might try reading up on it at Adaptec's site
http://www.adaptec.com/products/solutions/cdrec.html

found a site for WinOnCD,
http://www.cequadrat.com/
Check their info, may be common problem with simple fix.