woody
1
Tips for beginners to DVDR burning/DVD backups
***********************************
Getting ready for DVDR burning.
ASPI LAYER
Before we begin there may be some programs you need to locate and download from the web.
These are ForceASPI17 & aspichk. Look here.
If unable to locate from that site just enter ForceASPI & aspichk in your favorite search engine.
The Windows installations does not install a proper aspi layer> important for many DVD/CDR utilities/software.
It is an interface between your burning hardware/software. A good idea is to install it.
By using (ForceASPI17) best current version is version 460(1021) aspi layer recommended by our senior members here.
Now lets see if we have them installed before doing anything else! With aspichk which you should have saved in a known location on your PC and unzipped ready to use now run the program aspichk
(All you need to do is to double click on the aspichk.exe)
Now if your aspi layer are not installed correctly you will get a reading similar to the picture1 below.
Please take note that these results are for a NT system other Windows OS will be similar. Notice the Red background around the Adaptec logo?
Picture 1
As picture1 show's aspi are not installed hence the Red background and N/A text inputs in the component field.
Now if they were installed correctly and we ran aspichk.exe we would see a result similar to the picture 2 below.
Picture 2
Yes a correctly installed set of aspi layer, now we have a Green background to our Adaptec logo and now the component field are displaying details of the files installed. Now since many of you will need to install your aspi layer at some point in your life here's a quick guide using ForceASPI. Go to your folder where you have saved and unzipped ForceASPI17 or what ever version of ForceASPI you are using and open the folder. Now look for a file called INSTASPI and run this file by double clicking onto it. See picture 3.
Picture3
Once you have clicked onto the INSTASIP file another screen will pop up..(a dos screen..Black background).Like the one in the picture 4 below.
Picture 4
Once you got to this stage just follow the instructions on the Black screen when finished just reboot your PC.
Once rebooted run aspichk and if all is well you should have now a properly set of aspi layer now ready to begin burning see picture 2.
A quick description of the file usage in ForceASPI folder.
instASPI - Installs the latest, 4.60 (1021), Adaptec ASPI layer on Win9x,
Win ME, WinNT and Win2K. Any existing ASPI Layers will be
overwritten.
dumpASPI - Creates a backup of your existing ASPI layer, or parts thereof.
Some Win32 operating systems do not have an ASPI layer, in this
situation you will create an empty backup.
restASPI - Restores the ASPI layer backup created with 'dumpASPI'.
WARNING! If your ASPI backup is empty this will completely erase
your currently installed ASPI layer.
collapse - This will completely remove your currently installed ASPI layer.
killDUMP - The deletes your dumped ASPI layer.
Now if you’re using Windows XP it has a built-in (useless) burning engine.That's our view on matter.
It is advisable to disable this, as it can create problems for you. Go to Control Panel>administrative tools>services shortcut.Scroll through the list to"IMAPI CD Burning".Disable it. Or you can use this route Go to My Computer once there go to your Burner and right click it and go to Properties see picture 5.
Picture 5
Now go to the Recording Tab as in picture 6 and there should be a tick in the box where it has Enable CD recording on this drive
remove this tick in the box. Once removed save settings by using the Apply button then OK button and closed screen once done.
Picture 6
Most new DVD burners use DMA for transfers. Make sure it is enabled, or you could have problems burning DVDR's.
Here is the procedure to enable DMA.
To enable DMA mode using the Device Manager
1.
Open Device Manager.
2.
Double-click IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers to display the list of controllers and channels.
3.
Right-click the icon for the channel to which the device is connected, select Properties, and then click the Advanced Settings tab.
4.
In the Current Transfer Mode drop-down box, select DMA if Available if the current setting is "PIO Only."
If the drop-down box already shows "DMA if Available" but the current transfer mode is PIO, then the user must toggle the settings. That is:
• Change the selection from "DMA if available" to PIO only, and click OK.
• Then repeat the steps above to change the selection to DMA if Available
A good idea is to disable your screensaver, antivirus and firewalls for burning purposes. Basically we need just our burning programs running to complete our burning task.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
With so many software’s on the market it’s tempting to try everything. You are asking for trouble, you’re sure to create software conflicts and ruin your day .Keep programs to a minimum.
Easy CD/DVD Creator is shipped with many new drives. It has to be one of the most troublesome products on the market. If you have it installed make sure you use it for everything, installing new software’s with it, is practically begging for trouble. Better yet, remove it.
MEDIA
They are not created equal. You can find inferior quality DVDR's. Most failed burns/unreadable discs are created by lousy/unsupported media. Ask around for good brands, or use the media list suggested by your hardware manufacturer.
UPDATE YOUR SOFTWARE
Many new drives ship with outdated software. Don't know why they do this? It creates nothing but headaches .New models need to be added to software lists, that is the reason for so many updates/versions.
WHAT YOU NEED FOR DVD BACKUPS
It is advisable to have at least 15GB, or more of free space. The processes for DVD backup need lots of room.
The NTFS file system is advised. WIN XP and Windows 2K are the preferred OS.
An IBM compatible personal computer with a Pentium-Class
Microprocessor at minimum 500 MHz. Windows 98 / 98SE / ME with 128 MB RAM, Windows NT4.0 with Service Pack 4 or better installed, Windows 2000 or Windows XP with 128 MB RAM.
- A DVD writer (burner) and/or DVD reader.
- The faster the CPU (1 GHz recommended) and the more memory (256 MB Recommended) you have, the better it is going to perform.
************************************
Hardware
All of the Pioneer and Sony burners are good choices. Lite-on, Plextor and NEC are also recommended.To see user opinions go Here. Only use this as a guideline because user problems come into play. Wrong software/hardware configurations, and media can fudge results.
IDE drives these are drives that are internal to your system (inside your PC)
USB or Firewire drives these are drives that you connect to your PC externally via a cable interface and power source.
*************************************
Software
You need a ripper to copy those files to your hard drive. The files use a protected system so regular DVD software will not copy them properly. The ripper removes the copy protection.
Favourite here is DVD Decrypter. For using this software look at this link>.. Here.
Okay..that was easy for DVD-5.
But what if it's DVD-9 (DVDR’s can only hold 4.38 gigs)? Take a look Here for a tutorial using all freeware programs.
DVD Players
You should have a program to play DVD's on your computer(Power DVD, Win DVD etc) That way you can play your projects before burning them. Use of A DVDRW would also be a good idea until you get the hang of it.
Set top players(standalones)
You may find your DVDR's do not play on your standalone, but do on your computer. Media and hardware problems (standalone capabilities) are the most common problems. So check these first .Again all hardware is not created equal .To see a list of standalone players and playing capabilities look.Here.
******************************************
Okay…hope that helps! It should get you started on making DVD backups. Feel free to ask question in the forum help is always nearby.
It is based on my personal feelings/experience. It is only created as a guideline.
DVDRBase.com the Peoples Forum! We try to help you the best we can. So please the more information you supply to us with your issues the better our members can help you.
Thank you from all here at DVDRBase.com
DVDRBase.com 2003
***********************************
Getting ready for DVDR burning.
ASPI LAYER
Before we begin there may be some programs you need to locate and download from the web.
These are ForceASPI17 & aspichk. Look here.
If unable to locate from that site just enter ForceASPI & aspichk in your favorite search engine.
The Windows installations does not install a proper aspi layer> important for many DVD/CDR utilities/software.
It is an interface between your burning hardware/software. A good idea is to install it.
By using (ForceASPI17) best current version is version 460(1021) aspi layer recommended by our senior members here.
Now lets see if we have them installed before doing anything else! With aspichk which you should have saved in a known location on your PC and unzipped ready to use now run the program aspichk
(All you need to do is to double click on the aspichk.exe)
Now if your aspi layer are not installed correctly you will get a reading similar to the picture1 below.
Please take note that these results are for a NT system other Windows OS will be similar. Notice the Red background around the Adaptec logo?
Picture 1
As picture1 show's aspi are not installed hence the Red background and N/A text inputs in the component field.
Now if they were installed correctly and we ran aspichk.exe we would see a result similar to the picture 2 below.
Picture 2
Yes a correctly installed set of aspi layer, now we have a Green background to our Adaptec logo and now the component field are displaying details of the files installed. Now since many of you will need to install your aspi layer at some point in your life here's a quick guide using ForceASPI. Go to your folder where you have saved and unzipped ForceASPI17 or what ever version of ForceASPI you are using and open the folder. Now look for a file called INSTASPI and run this file by double clicking onto it. See picture 3.
Picture3
Once you have clicked onto the INSTASIP file another screen will pop up..(a dos screen..Black background).Like the one in the picture 4 below.
Picture 4
Once you got to this stage just follow the instructions on the Black screen when finished just reboot your PC.
Once rebooted run aspichk and if all is well you should have now a properly set of aspi layer now ready to begin burning see picture 2.
A quick description of the file usage in ForceASPI folder.
instASPI - Installs the latest, 4.60 (1021), Adaptec ASPI layer on Win9x,
Win ME, WinNT and Win2K. Any existing ASPI Layers will be
overwritten.
dumpASPI - Creates a backup of your existing ASPI layer, or parts thereof.
Some Win32 operating systems do not have an ASPI layer, in this
situation you will create an empty backup.
restASPI - Restores the ASPI layer backup created with 'dumpASPI'.
WARNING! If your ASPI backup is empty this will completely erase
your currently installed ASPI layer.
collapse - This will completely remove your currently installed ASPI layer.
killDUMP - The deletes your dumped ASPI layer.
Now if you’re using Windows XP it has a built-in (useless) burning engine.That's our view on matter.
It is advisable to disable this, as it can create problems for you. Go to Control Panel>administrative tools>services shortcut.Scroll through the list to"IMAPI CD Burning".Disable it. Or you can use this route Go to My Computer once there go to your Burner and right click it and go to Properties see picture 5.
Picture 5
Now go to the Recording Tab as in picture 6 and there should be a tick in the box where it has Enable CD recording on this drive
remove this tick in the box. Once removed save settings by using the Apply button then OK button and closed screen once done.
Picture 6
Most new DVD burners use DMA for transfers. Make sure it is enabled, or you could have problems burning DVDR's.
Here is the procedure to enable DMA.
To enable DMA mode using the Device Manager
1.
Open Device Manager.
2.
Double-click IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers to display the list of controllers and channels.
3.
Right-click the icon for the channel to which the device is connected, select Properties, and then click the Advanced Settings tab.
4.
In the Current Transfer Mode drop-down box, select DMA if Available if the current setting is "PIO Only."
If the drop-down box already shows "DMA if Available" but the current transfer mode is PIO, then the user must toggle the settings. That is:
• Change the selection from "DMA if available" to PIO only, and click OK.
• Then repeat the steps above to change the selection to DMA if Available
A good idea is to disable your screensaver, antivirus and firewalls for burning purposes. Basically we need just our burning programs running to complete our burning task.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
With so many software’s on the market it’s tempting to try everything. You are asking for trouble, you’re sure to create software conflicts and ruin your day .Keep programs to a minimum.
Easy CD/DVD Creator is shipped with many new drives. It has to be one of the most troublesome products on the market. If you have it installed make sure you use it for everything, installing new software’s with it, is practically begging for trouble. Better yet, remove it.
MEDIA
They are not created equal. You can find inferior quality DVDR's. Most failed burns/unreadable discs are created by lousy/unsupported media. Ask around for good brands, or use the media list suggested by your hardware manufacturer.
UPDATE YOUR SOFTWARE
Many new drives ship with outdated software. Don't know why they do this? It creates nothing but headaches .New models need to be added to software lists, that is the reason for so many updates/versions.
WHAT YOU NEED FOR DVD BACKUPS
It is advisable to have at least 15GB, or more of free space. The processes for DVD backup need lots of room.
The NTFS file system is advised. WIN XP and Windows 2K are the preferred OS.
An IBM compatible personal computer with a Pentium-Class
Microprocessor at minimum 500 MHz. Windows 98 / 98SE / ME with 128 MB RAM, Windows NT4.0 with Service Pack 4 or better installed, Windows 2000 or Windows XP with 128 MB RAM.
- A DVD writer (burner) and/or DVD reader.
- The faster the CPU (1 GHz recommended) and the more memory (256 MB Recommended) you have, the better it is going to perform.
************************************
Hardware
All of the Pioneer and Sony burners are good choices. Lite-on, Plextor and NEC are also recommended.To see user opinions go Here. Only use this as a guideline because user problems come into play. Wrong software/hardware configurations, and media can fudge results.
IDE drives these are drives that are internal to your system (inside your PC)
USB or Firewire drives these are drives that you connect to your PC externally via a cable interface and power source.
*************************************
Software
You need a ripper to copy those files to your hard drive. The files use a protected system so regular DVD software will not copy them properly. The ripper removes the copy protection.
Favourite here is DVD Decrypter. For using this software look at this link>.. Here.
Okay..that was easy for DVD-5.
But what if it's DVD-9 (DVDR’s can only hold 4.38 gigs)? Take a look Here for a tutorial using all freeware programs.
DVD Players
You should have a program to play DVD's on your computer(Power DVD, Win DVD etc) That way you can play your projects before burning them. Use of A DVDRW would also be a good idea until you get the hang of it.
Set top players(standalones)
You may find your DVDR's do not play on your standalone, but do on your computer. Media and hardware problems (standalone capabilities) are the most common problems. So check these first .Again all hardware is not created equal .To see a list of standalone players and playing capabilities look.Here.
******************************************
Okay…hope that helps! It should get you started on making DVD backups. Feel free to ask question in the forum help is always nearby.
It is based on my personal feelings/experience. It is only created as a guideline.
DVDRBase.com the Peoples Forum! We try to help you the best we can. So please the more information you supply to us with your issues the better our members can help you.
Thank you from all here at DVDRBase.com
DVDRBase.com 2003
