Big DVD Burner Problem

[slimer5]

okay, first off, this problem has been going for a few months now, i posted for help in another forum and didn't really receive anything useful, so im counting on you guys. and, this problem came out of no where, there was nothing that i altered beforehand that may have cause this problem

now, the problem:

when i attempt to burn anything, i get errors either at the beginning of the burn, around 20% into the burn, or right at the end, when the finalizing begins. it has caused MANY discs to be wasted and i am getting furious. at first, i was using TMPGEnc for all of my burns. it worked perfectly every time. but then it started to give me this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v412/JunnyLudLoafBug/error.jpg

after seeing that it was a "device error" i went to the store and bought a new one, a sony. (btw, the one i have is a mad dog). the same thing happened to the sony, so i took it back. i then talked to support of my computer brand and they said i should try reseting the DOS (i think thats what it was) when i boot up the computer next time. I did and one burn worked, then it failed again. i talked with support again and they said to reinstall all of my usb drivers. i did and it failed again. i then tried switching from usb port to usb port. i finally got a series of successful burns, but then it crapped out again. during all of that, i have tried to burn with 4 different programs (TMPGEnc, ConvertXToDVD, DVD Santa, and Sony DVD Architect). now i am making everything i want to burn into iso's to burn with IMGBurn since that is the program that has most recently worked for me, but it has given me "semaphore" errors either right at the beginning or right at the end.

Have any of you dealt with something like this? i am in dire need of help, even though dvd blanks are on sale every week, it is frustrating and VERY annoying to have to throw out the amount that i do.

please help

thanks.

[setarip_old]

Hi!

First of all, for the sake of clarity, the first program you mentioned regarding burning is actually "TMPGEnc DVD Author" - "TMPGEnc", a different program has no burning capability.

Second, for a listing of semaphore timeouts, which are likely hardware related, go to:

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:yff2hoExb_wJ:www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/lotus/library/ls-Semaphores_Part1/+%22semaphore+timeout%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

3) Since you mention USB ports, I presume you have an external burner. You might want to have a tech check your USB ports/hub

[slimer5]

Hi!

First of all, for the sake of clarity, the first program you mentioned regarding burning is actually "TMPGEnc DVD Author" - "TMPGEnc", a different program has no burning capability.

Second, for a listing of semaphore timeouts, which are likely hardware related, go to:

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:yff2hoExb_wJ:www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/lotus/library/ls-Semaphores_Part1/+%22semaphore+timeout%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

3) Since you mention USB ports, I presume you have an external burner. You might want to have a tech check your USB ports/hub

1.) yes, sorry i didnt make that clear

2.) that link comes out with a google error.

3.) would you suggest bringing my computer to a best buy or a computer builders warehouse or something along those lines?

[Video Dude]

Semaphore Timeout Issue
http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?p=228668#post228668

The Golden Rules of Burning by blutach
http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49635



If you are using motherboard USB ports, purchase a USB 2.0 PCI card. You can pick one up for as low as 5 to 10 dollars. Onboard controllers can share resources and cause problems if there are conflicts.

Use good media, not the cheap stuff. In the store buy Verbatim, but make sure the package has the Advanced AZO logo. TY is great media but you will not find it in stores unless it is rebranded and you know what to look for.

Since it is USB, do not attempt to burn over 4x. Close all other programs while burning including antivirus and third party firewalls (disconnect from the internet if you're worried). Do not use the computer for anything else while burning. Use AdAware to do a spyware check. Spyware can be a major resource hog.

The current version of ImgBurn can burn on the fly. You no longer have to makes images. I would suggest using ImgBurn as your sole dvd burning program.


Unless you are using the burner on multiple computers, you might consider an internal burner. LG makes highly rated drives for under $40, such as the H22N or the H42N.

[setarip_old]

2.) that link comes out with a google error.I guess IBM has deleted that file since last year, when I originally referenced it. Basically it indicates that semaphore errors result when one piece of hardware doesn't respond in a timely fashion to another piece of hardware that has made a request of it.



3.) would you suggest bringing my computer to a best buy or a computer builders warehouse or something along those lines?When it comes to spending your money for a hardware tech, I'm afraid that's a decision you'll have to make...

[slimer5]

If you are using motherboard USB ports, purchase a USB 2.0 PCI card. You can pick one up for as low as 5 to 10 dollars. Onboard controllers can share resources and cause problems if there are conflicts.

Use good media, not the cheap stuff. In the store buy Verbatim, but make sure the package has the Advanced AZO logo. TY is great media but you will not find it in stores unless it is rebranded and you know what to look for.

Since it is USB, do not attempt to burn over 4x. Close all other programs while burning including antivirus and third party firewalls (disconnect from the internet if your worried). Do not use the computer for anyelse while burning. Use Adaware to do a spyware check. Spyware can be a major resource hog.

The current version of ImgBurn can burn on the fly. You no longer have to makes images. I would suggest using ImgBurn as your sole dvd burning program.

i do not have an open PCI slot that i could do that with, sadly

i am using Memorex brand blanks, which have worked very well when a successful burn is completed.

i have been using 8x and it has worked, but maybe i should bring it down to 4x... i do frequent spyware checks and i do not think lack of resources is the problem.

[slimer5]

also, i forgot to mention in the initial post, that when i tried burning on a separate computer, i received the same error. so that tells me that its something with the maddog burner. but, if thats the case, why did i get the same error with the new sony burner?

[setarip_old]

i forgot to mention in the initial post, that when i tried burning on a separate computer, i received the same error.That's a very significant fact to have omitted! Did you place the SONY in the same housing as the one you used for the MadDog burner? If so, you may simply have to buy a new housing?

[slimer5]

That's a very significant fact to have omitted! Did you place the SONY in the same housing as the one you used for the MadDog burner? If so, you may simply have to buy a new housing?

by housing, do you mean usb port? if so, i did. i didnt keep the sony long enough to try it on the other ports in the back of my PC, but i have switched th maddog one multiple times and the same error occurs.

[setarip_old]

No, I mean the entire actual case (and all its parts, other than the drive) that the drive is in...

[slimer5]

no, i bought it as an external, i didnt buy an internal then place it into a casing. both the maddog and sony are pure externals.

[setarip_old]

Good, that's one less possible cause ;>}

[CWR03]

At this point it seems as if you've changed everything but your media. Have you tried a different brand?

[slimer5]

At this point it seems as if you've changed everything but your media. Have you tried a different brand?

i just recently bought a 100 pack of compusa brand (they were on sale due to their stores closing) so mabe ill try that.

could memorex discs really crap out that often?

[jeffy]

i just recently bought a 100 pack of compusa brand (they were on sale due to their stores closing) so mabe ill try that.

could memorex discs really crap out that often?

Depends on the media, 4x DVD+RW Memorex summary:
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdmedia.php?dvdmediasearch=memorex&dvdmediadvdridsearch=&type=3&size=All&dvdburnspeed=4&order=Name&hits=50&search=Search+or+List+Media

[slimer5]

Depends on the media, 4x DVD+RW Memorex summary:
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdmedia.php?dvdmediasearch=memorex&dvdmediadvdridsearch=&type=3&size=All&dvdburnspeed=4&order=Name&hits=50&search=Search+or+List+Media

all of my memorex dvds are up to 16x, and on that site, the burn reliability is mixed for just about all of them, so maybe that is what is going on, ill try the compusa discs and get back to you.

[slimer5]

the same semaphore error occurs in imgburn when using the compusa discs...

[jeffy]

the same semaphore error occurs in imgburn when using the compusa discs...
W/o a comment:
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdmedia.php?dvdmediasearch=compusa

[slimer5]

so should i buy like a 25 pack of verbatim discs to see if it works?

either way, this is a lose-lose situation. if the verbatim discs work, i wasted a lot of money on the 100+ memorex discs i still have and the compusa 100 pack. if they dont work, i just wasted money on the verbatim discs and i still am without a solution...

[setarip_old]

@slimer5
1) If you are intent on determining whether your problem is simply being caused by poor quality burnable media, by all means purchase a 50 pack of Verbatim media at Best Buy or Officemax - usually on sale for $12.99 or less.

Or purchase a/a few REWRITABLE DVDs.

2) If using high quality burnable media doesn't resolve your problem, I'd once again suggest having a reputable tech examine your system for problems related to your internal USB hardware and connections.

[slimer5]

@slimer5
1) If you are intent on determining whether your problem is simply being caused by poor quality burnable media, by all means purchase a 50 pack of Verbatim media at Best Buy or Officemax - usually on sale for $12.99 or less.

Or purchase a/a few REWRITABLE DVDs.

2) If using high quality burnable media doesn't resolve your problem, I'd once again suggest having a reputable tech examine your system for problems related to your internal USB hardware and connections.

that is probably what i will need to do in the end, its just confusing. i have all of my usb ports used and everything works besides this...

[jeffy]

so should i buy like a 25 pack of verbatim discs to see if it works?

either way, this is a lose-lose situation. if the verbatim discs work, i wasted a lot of money on the 100+ memorex discs i still have and the compusa 100 pack. if they dont work, i just wasted money on the verbatim discs and i still am without a solution...

I would just pay a jewel packaged 5 single Verbatim discs for a few dollars. Or a single 10 pack spindle. Still less money than a 25/50 pack. If the media are physically bad, can you RMA them?
$3.99/5 pack
http://www.officemax.com/max/solutions/product/prodBlock.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&prodBlockOID=1611318302&expansionOID=-536895600

[jeffy]

I also agree with setarip_old, that your USB enclosure might be causing some problems. Unfortunately, you might end up with a SATA/UATA based drive :(

[slimer5]

I also agree with setarip_old, that your USB enclosure might be causing some problems. Unfortunately, you might end up with a SATA/UATA based drive :(

i said in an earlier post that mine is a pure external, no enclosure was attached manually.

i just had a successful burn on my other computer, so it must be something with this computer's usb, but i am still confused why the problem affects all the ports and why everything else i use that is usb works...

[setarip_old]

but i am still confused why the problem affects all the ports and why everything else i use that is usb works...You may eventually find out that it's a power/USB-related problem...

[slimer5]

You may eventually find out that it's a power/USB-related problem...

what do you mean?

[jeffy]

what do you mean?
There is a limited amount of power (electric current) available to USB ports.

i said in an earlier post that mine is a pure external, no enclosure was attached manually.


I should have worded it better, technically speaking, it is an internal drive in an enclosure. I know you were speaking about external drives.

http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_jump.cfm/218075/1199812
"In most cases, users have found that updating the drivers for the USB Controller resolves the issue. "
"Try to disconnected all USB devices except for the external DVD burner. "

[slimer5]

http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_jump.cfm/218075/1199812
"In most cases, users have found that updating the drivers for the USB Controller resolves the issue. "
"Try to disconnected all USB devices except for the external DVD burner. "

thank you very much for showing me that thread, the person with the problem has my exact burner so i will try some of the solutions in there.

[slimer5]

i have been getting all successful burns since i have been unplugging some of the other usb ports. so i guess it was a power issue. does that mean my power supply might be crapping out?

[jeffy]

i have been getting all successful burns since i have been unplugging some of the other usb ports. so i guess it was a power issue. does that mean my power supply might be crapping out?

Bandwidth issue, I suppose:
"Disconnecting other USB devices
Disconnect all other high bandwidth USB devices from the computer. This includes printers, scanners, digital cameras and hubs.
Keyboard and mouse do not need to be disconnected."
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/fastFaqLiteDocument?lc=en&cc=gb&dlc=en&docname=npg40836

If you want, can you please list your exact model numbers and if both of them (Mad Dog & Sony) do have their external PSUs? I would think so. Conclusion: external PSU... unrelated to internal PSU.

Slightly OT:

Looking at this model: http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?CategoryName=cpu_Sony_PCAccessories_CD%2fDVDBurn_DVDBurners&ProductSKU=DRX830U&TabName=specs&DCMP=CJ_SS
DRX-830U
POWER CONSUMPTION : 3.0A max, +12V DC

Also reading the "Non-standard power" part of:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB
"... the USB specification requires that devices connect in a low-power mode (100 mA maximum) and state how much current they need, before switching, with the host's permission, into high-power mode."

This is weird (not detected):
"I had exactly the same problem. Drove me nuts. I just called Mad Dog. (Only 4 minutes on hold.) Nice man told me to take disc out of drive, turn off drive, unplug USB cable, wait 10 seconds, plug cable back in, turn drive back on. And IT WORKED! Simple as that."
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=148093

Further semaphore etc. troubleshooting:
http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45123

[setarip_old]

so i guess it was a power issue. does that mean my power supply might be crapping out?On the contrary, it just means you don't have enough power to handle EVERYTHING you've got plugged in via USB ports...

I don't know if there's an absolute limit on how much power can be made available to your USB ports but, if not, a larger PSU may resolve the issue - or a powered USB hub.

Otherwise, you can simply unplug as few items as are needed to let your burner work properly