dvddectr. or imageburn: trouble on friend's burner

[emazur]

I helped my friend get her first comp earlier this summer (p4 2.0 celeron/256MB) and a USB drive to go with it:
matsushita dvd-ram sw-9585S USB Device
manufactured by buffalo.

set up dvd shrink to automatically read from the internal dvd-rom and burn with the usb matsushita, and it worked fine for months. my friend had some problems burning recently. I looked into it and I get the following message:
I/O Error!
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/2343/dvderror7fn.jpg

Didn't know what to do about it, so I tried putting imageburn on there to see how that fared. First burn was successful, all successive burns failed with the same error. I tested the drive on my own xp box today- 3 successful burns in a row so I don't think there's a problem with the hardware. My hunch is some windows setting got fuxored with ( wouldn't surprise me as i know I've certainly had problems with windows disabling DMA for example).
I'm requesting advice on what I can do about this (tried switching usb ports but no difference). I copied the logs from my systems using both programs and am posting below in case they are helpful

14:24:41 DVD Decrypter Version 3.5.4.0 started!
I 14:24:41 Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600 : Service Pack 2)
I 14:24:42 Initialising SPTI...
I 14:24:42 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...
I 14:24:42 Found 1 DVD-ROM/CD-RW and 1 DVD-RAM/ｱRW!
I 14:24:42 Operation Started!
I 14:24:42 Source File: C:\NATIONAL_TREASURE.ISO
I 14:24:42 Source File Sectors: 2,285,868 (MODE1/2048)
I 14:24:42 Source File Size: 4,681,457,664 bytes
I 14:24:42 Source File Implementation Identifier: DVD Shrink
I 14:24:42 Destination Device: [0:0:0] MATSHITA DVD-RAM SW-9585S P100 (E:) (USB)
I 14:24:42 Destination Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: BeAll G16001) (Speeds: 1x, 4x, 8x)
I 14:24:42 Destination Media Sectors: 2,298,496
I 14:24:42 Write Mode: DVD
I 14:24:42 Write Type: SAO
I 14:24:42 Write Speed: MAX
I 14:24:42 Link Size: Auto
I 14:24:42 Test Mode: No
I 14:24:42 BURN-Proof: Enabled
I 14:24:46 Filling Buffer...
I 14:24:47 Writing LeadIn...
W 14:25:18 Failed to Write Sectors 0 - 31 - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (1 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (2 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (3 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (4 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (5 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (6 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (7 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (8 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (9 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (10 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (11 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (12 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (13 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (14 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (15 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (16 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (17 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (18 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (19 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed - Program Memory Area Update Failure
W 14:25:18 Retrying (20 of 20)...
W 14:25:18 Retry Failed! - Program Memory Area Update Failure
E 14:25:36 Failed to Write Sectors 0 - 31 - Program Memory Area Update Failure
I 14:25:36 Synchronising Cache...
E 14:25:36 Failed to Write Image!
E 14:25:36 Operation Failed! - Duration: 00:00:54
I 14:25:36 Average Write Rate: N/A - Maximum Write Rate: N/A



I 14:32:01 ImgBurn Version 1.1.0.0 started!
I 14:32:02 Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600 : Service Pack 2)
I 14:32:02 Initialising SPTI...
I 14:32:02 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...
I 14:32:02 Found 1 DVD-ROM/CD-RW and 1 DVD-RAM/ｱRW!
I 14:32:18 Operation Started!
I 14:32:18 Source File: C:\NATIONAL_TREASURE.ISO
I 14:32:18 Source File Sectors: 2,285,868 (MODE1/2048)
I 14:32:18 Source File Size: 4,681,457,664 bytes
I 14:32:18 Source File Implementation Identifier: DVD Shrink
I 14:32:18 Destination Device: [0:0:0] MATSHITA DVD-RAM SW-9585S P100 (E:) (USB)
I 14:32:19 Destination Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: BeAll G16001) (Speeds: 1x, 4x, 8x)
I 14:32:19 Destination Media Sectors: 2,298,496
I 14:32:19 Write Mode: DVD
I 14:32:19 Write Type: DAO
I 14:32:19 Write Speed: MAX
I 14:32:19 Link Size: Auto
I 14:32:19 Test Mode: No
I 14:32:19 BURN-Proof: Enabled
I 14:32:19 Filling Buffer...
I 14:32:19 Writing LeadIn...
W 14:32:50 Failed to Write Sectors 0 - 31 - Unrecovered Read Error
W 14:32:50 Retrying (1 of 20)...
W 14:32:50 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:50 Retrying (2 of 20)...
W 14:32:50 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:50 Retrying (3 of 20)...
W 14:32:50 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:50 Retrying (4 of 20)...
W 14:32:50 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:50 Retrying (5 of 20)...
W 14:32:50 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:50 Retrying (6 of 20)...
W 14:32:50 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:50 Retrying (7 of 20)...
W 14:32:50 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:50 Retrying (8 of 20)...
W 14:32:50 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:50 Retrying (9 of 20)...
W 14:32:50 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:50 Retrying (10 of 20)...
W 14:32:50 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:51 Retrying (11 of 20)...
W 14:32:51 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:51 Retrying (12 of 20)...
W 14:32:51 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:51 Retrying (13 of 20)...
W 14:32:51 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:51 Retrying (14 of 20)...
W 14:32:51 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:51 Retrying (15 of 20)...
W 14:32:51 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:51 Retrying (16 of 20)...
W 14:32:51 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:51 Retrying (17 of 20)...
W 14:32:51 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:51 Retrying (18 of 20)...
W 14:32:51 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:51 Retrying (19 of 20)...
W 14:32:51 Retry Failed - Power Calibration Area Error
W 14:32:51 Retrying (20 of 20)...
W 14:32:51 Retry Failed! - Power Calibration Area Error
E 14:33:15 Failed to Write Sectors 0 - 31 - Unrecovered Read Error
I 14:33:15 Synchronising Cache...
E 14:33:16 Failed to Write Image!
E 14:33:16 Operation Failed! - Duration: 00:00:58
I 14:33:16 Average Write Rate: N/A - Maximum Write Rate: N/A

[CWR03]

Did you check to make sure DMA mode is still enabled?

[emazur]

I didn't even know usb devices used DMA. I remember checking the internal dvd-rom and the dma was off, figured I'd fix that later after fixing the burner (since it the internal drive was still able to read, though slower, taking care of that wasn't my highest priority)

[CWR03]

Sorry, I forgot yours is a USB drive by the time I got down to the logs.

In both cases, your selected write speed is "MAX." Make sure you don't exceed half the rated speed of the drive or media, whichever is lower.

[LIGHTNING UK!]

Try updating your burners firmware.

http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=2030

Failing that, get some other (tried and tested) discs.

[emazur]

The man himself responds... I'm honored! (and while I'm here, let me say I appreciate your work on dvd dec. and imageburn). Looking at that firmware page, I see 3 different executables which aren't clearly marked, so I feel it best to pass. Besides, the drive is likely still under warranty since it was bought in the summer, so unofficial F/W i think is not a good idea. I searched for official firmware but came up cold.

Yes, trying other brands of discs or burning at lower speedi are obvious solutions I overlooked. I haven't bought media that totally crapped out on a burner in years so I didn't think of that. I've already tried two types of discs on my own system using this drive and they worked fine. I'll have to try these same ones on my friend's comp. Unfortunately, that won't be for at least 3 weeks as I'm going away on vacation for the holidays soon.

[LIGHTNING UK!]

They're currently running P100 firmware.

That page list B101, P101 and P102.

Instantly I'd look at those number and discard B101.

Leaving you with P101 and P102.

P102 comes after P101, meaning it's probably newer.

Therefore, I'd go for P102.

The flashing tool won't let you update the drive is it's not the correct one, so you needn't be afraid!