dvd-rw/nero burning problems

lethargic · May 7, 2003

Here is the background information:

WINXP Home (fully updated)
Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-105 Drive
Using Staple Cheap Media and Sony media as well

I use my burner to make both audio cdrs and data cdrs (avi's from my harddrive). Up until three days ago, both of these processes worked very smoothly on my PC with Nero 5.5.9.0. Then three days ago as I was attempting to burn an avi to a data disk, I suffered two consecutive buffer underuns. I didn't think this was much of an issue because after examning the file, it appears that it was missing some bytes of data at the end and was therefore corrupt.

Fast forward to the next day... I then proceeded to burn other data disks, and according to all observations of the burning procedure, it went by smoothly. When I went to check the disk afterwards, I popped it into both drives and came away with a "Drive:\ is not accessible, incorrect function" error. This happened repeatedly with every data disk I burned afterwards utilizing Nero. A data disk burned with the native XP burning capabilities also failed to work in the same exact manner. I then tried burning an AUDIO cdr, and these actually work without a hitch. My stereo and computer can read the finished product flawlessly. The dvd-rw drive appears to have suffered no damage when it comes to reading disks and can still burn audio cdrs perfectly.

I then tried out various types of ASPI, ranging from Force to the newest alpha to Nero's own, all without success. Nero was reinstalled (and even cleared from the registry) numerous times over this process. I also upgraded to the latest version of Nero which is supposed to be 100% XP compatible and it failed to work. I have tried some crazy things like reinstalling the drive and logging into a different XP User. Upgrading the firmware doesn't seem to be an option...

I was about ready to give up and call it a hardware problem, when I decided in one last ditch attempt to download a different burning program. I downloaded CD Mate and ran the free trial. I burned the same exact data disks that fail to come out correctly in Nero, and to my surprise, they worked! So, it appears my drive has not died and gone to heaven after all. :/ Both types of media burned successfully. Although it works, CD Mate seems to be a sketchy program that rarely gives me the desired write speed and stuff... anyway, I'd definitely rather use Nero. It was working perfectly up until a few days ago when it just pooped for no reason I can find. I did not make any updates to Windows at that time, nor did I add in any new software or hardware. I have tried Nero again for data disks following CD Mate's success, even changing options from track-at-once to disc-at-once and still cannot burn a useable cdr.

I am planning to buy a Lite-On drive to see if that works, but it really puzzles me that data disks work with CD Mate and audio disks still work with Nero. What if it really is a software issue, and a new drive doesn't solve the problem? Another thing I am thinking of is buying a new hard disk and moving all my data there to reformat and see what goes on. I'd like to avoid that as well though if you have any suggestions.

Thanks,
Brian

woody · May 8, 2003

Hi bud!

First things first.

The builtin Xp burning engine is suspected to conflict with other burning software.Go to control panel>administrative tools>Services>disable Imapi function.

Forget about Nero,it causes major problems for some.Uninstall it.The best troublefree software for Cdr/dvd burners is Stomp RecordNowMax.Give it a try.

Lastly defrag your HD and,and make sure that DMA is enabled for the Pioneer.A new drive is definitely not needed.

Hope this helps.

lethargic · May 8, 2003

Yeah, I have disabled XP's native burning software.

A more updated account of my experiences can be found here:

http://forums.techguy.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=853134#post853134

I really have gone all out everywhere trying to get this thing fixed!

Interesting thing today is that I found out those "supposed coasters" I've been burning with Nero actually work without a hitch on other pcs. So it must be a software/XP conflict... hoping a reformat will solve the issue. :/

As to RecorderNowMax.. I downloaded it and tried it, but I keep getting write failures when I am just about finished with a burn. I have used a different variety of discs, defragmented and I don't know what the issue is. I haven't explored it in depth because I am still more concerned with Nero. But RecordNowMax is not working much either. :/ CD Mate is the only program that works right off the bat. And since those Nero data cdrs operate on other pcs, I think I have to rule out hardware as an issue...

woody · May 9, 2003

A couple things left that I can think of.Try updating the firmware for your drive.Your hardware may also be having problems reading the discs,it could be a media compatibility problem.What version aspi layer do you have?4.7 versions are problematic.Lastly it could be altered registry settings,due to software applications.Reformatting would probably be best in this case.That's all I can thinkof.Maybe somebody else has more ideas.

lethargic · May 9, 2003

I've tried upgrading the firmware, but have had zero luck with it. :/ I have used these two specific medias for a while without problems, and the same exact discs that failed to work in both of my dvd-rom and dvd-rw drives run smoothly in other pcs. Hrm... I had no ASPI layer when everything was running smoothly. Since the troubles began, I have experimented with ForceASPI and 4.7x but it failed to correct anything.

I am guessing that it is registry problems and such. Formatting looks like it will have to be the solution.

banzibaby · May 9, 2003

Hi lethargic

Have U tried the Nero Registry Checker tool

U can get it here, it's supposed 2 make sure the right reg entries are correct

http://www.ahead.de/en/index.html

Hope it helps

BaNzI

lethargic · May 9, 2003

Hrm, just acquired the tool. I clicked it and nothing really happened. Is that normal?

free2bme007 · May 9, 2003

Wow i had the exact same problem with Nero after I updated to the latest version.
did everything i could including doing a ghost restore and no help...coasters at 98% done

i switched back to roxio easy cd..the new version 6 and not a single problem
got another new dell with a dvd burner..easy cd works great

maybe just switch?

lethargic · May 9, 2003

Well, I don't know. I'd rather not shell out the extra cash for Easy if I can avoid it. I just am trying to get Nero to work. Formatting is not that big of a deal so I will at least attempt that. So you did not try the formatting option?

scarecrow · May 10, 2003

Using RecordNowMax here, last coaster was a couple of years ago (maybe earlier? can't recall anymore...). Most of the times burning to two burners (different brands) two DIFFERENT sessions at the same time without a single hiccup.
And I'd rather push the extra cash for EZCD Cremator to beers, or maybe push the double for NOT getting it.

The-poacher · May 10, 2003

ditto recordnow max user here too

lethargic · May 10, 2003

well... i've defragged and stuff... can't burn with recordernomax either. all the burns die out at like 80% done and i get a write error... blah. i just have bad luck all around. CD Mate continues to be the only burning program I can use for Data Discs.

zver · May 10, 2003

I clicked it and nothing really happened

That means your reg. was ok........Btw,stay alwaus with 4.60-Best aspi ever for any os(winblows)....Also0,i was a big Nero fan too--but nomore......Its no good,really.........Give a recordmax a second chance--its a good app really--like evry prassi!!!!!!!!!