Pioneer DVR-A06 Suddenly Starts Burning Coasters!(?)

[jerrymcdon]

I've had a Pioneer DVR-AO6 for about 6 weeks now. Before this, I'd had a Pioneer A04 for almost a year, never the slightest problem with that one (except for when I tried to have both Easy Coaster Creator and Nero on my system at the same time, Pioneer not like).

First 2 weeks with my new A06, I'm happily burning away dozens and dozens of -R's, +R's, -RW's, +RW's. Using Nero 5.5-something. At all times using TDK-branded media, no cheap stuff.

Upgrade to Nero 6. Things still fine.

Suddenly about a week later I start getting all kinds of weird s**t happening. This is now 3 weeks into owning my new A06. Power DVD starts saying some of the discs I burned by copying over the VIDEO_TS structure from my hard drive have an "Unsupported Format". Won't play in settops.

Windows Explorer thinks I still have in a disc I ejected 3 discs back, still reads that old file structure. Explorer won't recognize the new disc contents till I reboot my system.

When I write generic files to the DVD with verify ON, Nero will report Verify Failed. Sometimes, not always. Fresh boots give better chance of success.

Burning ISO files created out of the VIDEO_TS's seems a little better, I can get a few more successes, but I find some of them too can have random problems popping up.

I try a bunch of stuff. Noticing the weirdness with Windows Explorer, I think maybe I got something corrupted with a system file.

I do a Windows XP System Restore to a few days before I started noticing the problem. No difference to symptoms.

I download and install XP Service Pack 1a. Still no difference.

I download and install Adaptec's latest ASPI 4.71. No effect.

I download and install Pioneer's new 1.06 firmware. The drive couldn't care less.

I carefully remove temp files and empty the recycle bin and start from fresh cold boots on every install attempt of all this stuff.

I run to CompUSA and buy a second DVR-A06, since I'd planned to get another one anyway for a second computer in my home. This one behaves in the same crappy manner right upon first install.

I try calling Pioneer tech support. Entry-level techs are clueless and argumentative, and of course blame everybody else, especially since *both* drives behave identically. I'm not buying their finger-pointing. Unable to get through to knowledgeable tech people at Pioneer, I'm forced to leave a message, which still hasn't been returned 10 days later.

Thinking I'm asking for it by trying to talk to Pioneer about the problem while using Nero's latest v.6 instead of the version they supposedly tested the drive with, I remove that v.6 and install the version of 5.5 that comes with the drive. I meticulously remove every trace of 6 and all the extra power pack goodies that it came with.

I install the OEM version of Nero that they supplied, and now I have all this nice ULead garbage tied into it. But at least I'm thrilled ... my drive works again! I can burn stuff successfully again!

For seven whole days.

Today I discover I'm back to the exact same old cr*p again. THIS time, on a hunch, I went to Event Viewer to see if it reports anything weird.

It does. Right around the times both 2-3 weeks ago and now, it reports error messages for this drive as Event ID 7/the device, CDRom0, has a bad block. The other message is an Event 51, an error was detected on device CDRom0 during a paging operation.

Ok, you geniuses. This is about as much relevant detail as I could think of. What do you think is going on here?? (Please, no newbies or well-intentioned but in-the-dark guessers, thanks!)

(Win XP Pro, P-4 2.4GHz, 1GB RAM)

 

[The-poacher]

Ive No Idea what the problem is but a few of noob well intentioned thoughts from an in the dark guesser

Have U got Windows Burning disabled?

Have U got DMA enabled?

Have U tried other s/ware <> for DVD burning <>
Recordnowmax springs to mind for DVD authoring

No doubt the experts will be along soon to give advice!!


PS

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Why not go & introduce yourself to the other members

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[Nighthunter]

Bugger, i own the Ao6, nice unit. I feel for u.
The only thing i would look at is this.

If your dvd-r will not play in your stand-alone player when burned with nero, this is because
your stand alone supports UDF1.02.
when you burn a dvd with nero using DVD VIDEO ,settings nero burns the disc in UDF 1.05.
most players especially new models support this.........but some older players do not.hence
when you put the disc in your player you get "disc error" or something similar, but if you put the disc in, say your friends player it plays good, follow these steps.
I/ make sure all your movie files are in a folder called VIDEO_TS (must be caps).
2/ open nero, click close wizard.
3/ in the new compilation choose dvd (obviously)
4/ instead of choosing DVD VIDEO, choose DVD-ROM (UDF)
5/ all settings should be ok at default, but if not, make sure no multisession is ticked, and
UDF1.02 is selected as a physical partition.
6/ click new, locate your VIDEO_TS folder with the movie you want to burn.drag and drop into
the burn box on the left, then click burn.
7/ when finished enjoy in you stand alone for the first time.
hope this helps the masses with this problem.
i personally burn all movies like this because then all dvd's play in ALL standalones.if a stand
alone uses UDF1.05 it will also play UDF1.02.
but not the other way around.
I am running nero 6.0.0.11

Will be keeping a look in at this post.

Good luck

 

[jerrymcdon]

Have U got Windows Burning disabled?

No, I don't have this disabled, but it sounds interesting, given I see repeated references to such a service in my computer's event log. How would I disable it in Win XP Pro?

Thanks for the help.

 

[PC-GUY]

Do you ever defragment your pc? If you don't you should your c drive if thats where you OS is at least once a week even if the OS say's you don't need to. In the past when I've had burning problems that fixed it.
To turn off XP burning software:
1, Right mouse click My computer icon
2, left click Manage
3, Left click on the plus for Services and Application to make it a minus
4, Left click Services
5, Double click IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service and disable it.
Good luck

 

[The-poacher]

Defrag thats a good point but get that windows burn disabled!!

 

[jerrymcdon]

Defrag thats a good point but get that windows burn disabled!!

I'll try the remove Windows burn procedure and see if that helps. I wonder why a standard Nero install wouldn't do this as part of the routine. Or at least recommend we do so manually.

But re the defrag recommendation:

I have really fast ATA-100, 120 GB IBM hard drives. Trying to burn a 4GB file that already resides on my hard drive has nothing to do with defragmenting my disk. After 30 years in computers, I find recommendations to defrag are along the lines of try-when-all-else-fails and are made only when there is no clue to the real cause.

BTW, I'm starting to suspect these periodic automatic Windows Updates from Microsoft may have something to do with contributing to the problem. Things working fine, all of a sudden changes to system files and maybe next time I try to burn a DVD this is causing my burning to turn freaky.

Also, I've had similar problems go away when I made a point of uninstalling an old copy of Easy CD Creator, after I'd installed Nero without first getting rid of Easy CD Creator and had problems crop up.

So, I see my DVDDecrypter has a burn function that may be getting in the way. Also, ImgTools seems to be able to burn also. Not to mention Tmpgenc's DVD Author, which I seem to have suspected caused my first round of these symptoms last month till I uninstalled Nero 6 and installed the 5.5 that came with the Pioneer.

I don't need all these burners maybe getting in the way. That's why I think you may have something with this disable-Windows-burning software that you recommended. Thanks a lot!

 

[ipdave]

No, I don't have this disabled, but it sounds interesting, given I see repeated references to such a service in my computer's event log. How would I disable it in Win XP Pro?

Thanks for the help.

Administrative Tools, Services --> find imapi.exe and dbl-click it and change to Disable and Stop it as well..

 

[PC-GUY]

I'll try the remove Windows burn procedure and see if that helps. I wonder why a standard Nero install wouldn't do this as part of the routine. Or at least recommend we do so manually.

But re the defrag recommendation:

I have really fast ATA-100, 120 GB IBM hard drives. Trying to burn a 4GB file that already resides on my hard drive has nothing to do with defragmenting my disk. After 30 years in computers, I find recommendations to defrag are along the lines of try-when-all-else-fails and are made only when there is no clue to the real cause.

After 30 years in computers why would you have to ask us?
I have less then 10 and I can burn.

"The day Microsoft makes something that doesn't suck, is probably the day Microsoft starts making vacuum cleaners."
- Ernst Jan Plugge

 

[jerrymcdon]

After 30 years in computers why would you have to ask us?
I have less then 10 and I can burn.

Well, I'm so glad you can burn after 10. I can burn too.

It's just that defrag-your-hard-disk suggestions for a complex problem like this, with symptoms I clearly outlined, are ridiculous.

I don't know how many times I'd show up at a customer's site in response to some problem they called me about, only to find them in the middle of a defrag because they didn't know what else to do. It was an act taken in desperation by the clueless and newbies.

A fragmented disk might be contributing to problems like if I had a slow drive and my AVI captures weren't succeeding. Clearly it has nothing to do with the problems I described.

And 30 years of computer experience don't directly 100% contribute to burning DVD's, which has been possible only for the past 2-3 years. But yes, I've by now probably burned 600 - 700 DVD's successfully.

The reason "I'm asking" is to find if someone had direct and immediate insight into the problem, having experienced and solved it directly.

I specifically asked for, quote: "Please, no newbies or well-intentioned but in-the-dark guessers, thanks!"

And your reply was just that, a well-intentioned, but in the dark, guess.

In 30 years as a computer professional, who has solved literally thousands upon thousands of problems and complaints from my customers, the absolute truth is not a single one of them has ever been traced to a fragmented disk in need of defragging. Never. Not once.

Sorry.

 

[The-poacher]

I will reiterate get rid of windows burning!

 

[PC-GUY]

I believe you have all your own answers so happy burning.

 

[jerrymcdon]

I will reiterate get rid of windows burning!

I started to do that, experimenting with first just stopping it instead of disabling it completely. Keeping the services window open, I launched Nero. Then then I noticed that Nero seems to start the service when Nero is launched. I'm wondering if there is such a downside to using that service, why would Nero deliberately invoke it? They're usually pretty cool about avoiding trouble-causing routines. And is there any downside to disabling it? What takes its place? Thanks a lot!

 

[scarecrow]

If you disable the IMAPI service then you will be short of coasters at your next party. Other than that, I do not know any other shortcoming. And usually nothing takes the place of a disabled service- unless if it is a public, and not a computer service...

 

[thorz]

Hey m8, cool it down

Hello jerrymcdon.

First m8, please cool it down, I am sure PC-GUY had the best intentions when he has made his recommendation, don't get offset for this, if you didn't like his advice just ignore it. Here in the community we are always with the best wishes to help.

About your problem my friend, I have the Pioneer A04, and I have had the exact same situation as you. AND WITH NERO. Do you want to know the sorprise that I have found in a forum (I really don't remember where at the momment). I was working perfectly with Nero 5.5, a version that I have found between my cds, maybe it came with one of my old cd burners. The thing was working and burning DVDs perfectly. My problems started after upgrading to Nero 6, I have downloaded it from the net and after installing it I have tried one of these keygenerators that you can find so easly, that was the prob m8, the program registered perfectly but it appears that Nero has a hided protection "feature" that if it detects a suspicious serial, it enables the "coaster" mode . In this forum they were explaining that the coasters were evident on DVDs but not on CDs. This was exactly the thing that I was living, I could burn cds perfectly, but dvds were my nightmare, I have burned like 5 dvd-Rs (I had never suspected that I was producing coasters!) and I could read them WITH A LOT OF DIFFICULTIES in one of my DVD-Roms, but in must I only got like bad scratching noises when trying to access them (was very affreid for my drives man). It appears that Nero beggins to write with a lot of errors on the discs, these errors reender the disc unusable after some time.
I have tried uninstalling nero and installing my good ol' 5.5, but the system was totally messed up. After a backing up documents and Ghosting back my system, I have installed Nero 5.5 and didin't have the problems again since. I burn in Verbatim 2X media.
I think it was worth to mention this, as I have told you all there are proofs of this in the net, unfortunatly I cannot remember where I have readed this, but I am sure I found the info using Google then, and it was a big media forum as I remember.
I own must of the software that I use, it was just the damn tentation of the serial, but there you have it, a good lesson in this days hehe...
Anyway, I am looking to pass me to a good freeware application like burnatonce for my mastering needs anyway.

 

[plextorman]

@thorz Why do you think I OFFICIALLY purchased Nero 6?
"Nero 6-no problems..."

 

[jerrymcdon]

Thanks, thorz, for the clever insight into the problem. This just may be the problem. But I personally will neither confirm nor deny that I too had downloaded a warez serial number for my Nero 6 download. My lips are sealed. Wild horses couldn't drag it out of me.

Anyway, the episode gave me a reason to try Record Now Max Platinum, and frankly, I like it better than Nero now. It simply acts more businesslike and professional than the faux-cool and offensively tasteless, childish interface that Nero has.

Also, RNMP can automatically recognize the VIDEO_TS structures and burn the disc automatically using the proper UDF/ISO method or whatever. With Nero it's too easy to get confused and burn it with the wrong UDF setting or ISO whatever. Sheesh, there's like 6 different options to burn VIDEO_TS content in Nero.

Given that some of these are not ideal, I now suspect that this may have been the cause of my problem, if your serial number theory wasn't in fact the underlying problem.

I've stuck with RNMP since then, and haven't burned a coaster since. I'm convinced it wasn't any problem with the Pioneer drive itself, other than their negligence to fully warn customers about potential problems from burn software and suggestions how to avoid.

Thanks again.

jerrymcdon

 

[thorz]

Thanks, thorz, for the clever insight into the problem. This Also, RNMP can automatically recognize the VIDEO_TS structures and burn the disc automatically using the proper UDF/ISO method or whatever. With Nero it's too easy to get confused and burn it with the wrong UDF setting or ISO whatever. Sheesh, there's like 6 different options to burn VIDEO_TS content in Nero.

Given that some of these are not ideal, I now suspect that this may have been the cause of my problem, if your serial number theory wasn't in fact the underlying problem.

I've stuck with RNMP since then, and haven't burned a coaster since. I'm convinced it wasn't any problem with the Pioneer drive itself, other than their negligence to fully warn customers about potential problems from burn software and suggestions how to avoid.

Thanks again.

jerrymcdon

I am interested in Record Now Max Platinium, who produces it? I have seen in the past several companies that have produced the product (stomp (or something like that), and some others). I apreciate your insight about what version is the last one and the company that best produces this software that apears to be much better than Nero. A website link would be nice, I can go to Google myself right now but as I have seen so many versions of the proggie I can be a little confuse.

I am actually on Nero 5.5 that I own, no more rare SNs here for me and the 6 version.

Thanks!

 

[scarecrow]

Thorz: Sorry, but your serial theory is just BS. I have an 100% legal Nero 6 serial, which also produces endless coasters... It's not the serial which is crap, it is the PROGRAM... period.
RecordMax Platinium does NOT exist. A slight chance that you are referring to RecordNowMax Platinum, or not?!
It is the ancient Prassi PrimoDVD application with a few minor upgrades, and with a packet writer (DLA- developed initially by Sony programmers and first shot out by Veritas, which later sold the rights to Sonic).
RecordNow is a limited application, but unless you can handle Padus Discjuggler properly (which is much easier said than done) then you simply cannot find anything better than that... under Windoze, that is.
Maybe you can also try another limited application, namely Ha! CD burner (by Acard, one of the biggest taiwanese hardware manufacturers). The program is so simplistic, that it may appeal to many... and unlike Nero, it is almost unable to produce a coaster.

 

[jerrymcdon]

I am interested in Record Now Max Platinium, who produces it? I have seen in the past several companies that have produced the product (stomp (or something like that), and some others). I apreciate your insight about what version is the last one and the company that best produces this software that apears to be much better than Nero. A website link would be nice, I can go to Google myself right now but as I have seen so many versions of the proggie I can be a little confuse.

I am actually on Nero 5.5 that I own, no more rare SNs here for me and the 6 version.

Thanks!

The Record Now Max Platinum I referred to is in fact sold by Stomp at www.stompinc.com. They have some kind of spinoff relationship to market this product with Veritas, the big name in backup software which has some kind of rights to this burn engine.

Again, in my view RNMP is such a nice dependable change of pace from Nero silliness that I won't go back. Nero has some very nice features like drive mounting, for sure, but I'm tired of all the goofiness. I just want to burn my DVD's reliably and efficiently, and to this end RNMP can't be beat. Very stable and dependable.

Good luck!

jerrymcdon