Writer freezes at 5%; why?

[ukb008]

Hi, PROs

Recently both of my writers has developed inability to go past 5% while writing a CD:

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p95/ukb007/Writer%20Problem%2001/NeroProblem1.png

The process can't be aborted in Nero:

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p95/ukb007/Writer%20Problem%2001/NeroProblem2.png

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p95/ukb007/Writer%20Problem%2001/NeroProblem3.png

After aborting the process via Windows Task Manager, the disc can't be taken out because the tray does not open.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p95/ukb007/Writer%20Problem%2001/NeroProblem4.png

Restarting makes everything OK for a couple of writes, then it recurs.

This is my system info:

Computer:
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack: Service Pack 2
Mozilla Firefox: v 2.0.0.3

Motherboard:
CPU Type: Intel Pentium 4A, 2679 MHz (5 x 536)
Motherboard Name: Gigabyte GA-8I845GV(-C) (3 PCI, 2 DIMM, Audio, Video, LAN)
Motherboard Chipset: Intel Brookdale-G i845GV
System Memory: 503 MB (DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type: Award Modular (12/01/03)
Communication Port: COM1 & COM2
Communication Port: Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter: Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller (64 MB)
3D Accelerator: Intel Extreme Graphics
Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster 753DF

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter: Intel 82801DB(M) ICH4(-M) - AC'97 Audio Controller

Storage:
[B]Floppy Drive: SONY Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive 1: SEAGATE 80 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100
Disk Drive 2: SEAGATE 80 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100
Optical Drive 1: ASUS CB-5216A DVD-ROM+CD-Writer
Optical Drive 2: SONY DVD RW DW-Q120A

Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 20002 MB (6431 MB free)
D: (NTFS) 20002 MB (6622 MB free)
E: (NTFS) 20002 MB (8034 MB free)
F: (NTFS) 16308 MB (7724 MB free)
G: (NTFS) 28615 MB (13547 MB free)
I: (NTFS) 47692 MB (32655 MB free)

Network:
Network Adapter: Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC
Network Adapter: WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface

Peripherals:
Printer: hp deskjet 3500 series

Please help.

Regards.

[setarip_old]

Hi!

Is this problem limited to burning:

1) This one specific ISO image file (Rolling Thunder[1977])? If so, what software and procedures did you use to create the original source file? Have you played the source file, to make sure it's okay?

2) ISO image files only

3) Any and all files?

[ukb008]

Hello, Mr setarip_old

Thanks for your time.

The problem relates to burning any or all files. I don't think it is related to file(s) for writing. I don't think it's a recorder issue either. I feel it's something something to do with the interface of Windows and Nero,... but I am hardly the expert here.

The avi in the screenshot plays well; it is, in fact, a 1-CD-backup of my own NTSC DVD of Rolling Thunder, a 1977 thriller. I used DVDDecrypter and AutoGK to transcode it.

There's another issue (maybe a related one) that began a few weeks before the present issue. For some time now, I am noticing that windows does not refresh my optical drive(s) in My Computer after a disc has been ejected. It keeps on showing the name of the ejected disc and its size. If I put in another disc and opened the drive in My Computer, the resulting window showed the previous disc's contents; clicking them, of course, produced no result other than an error message that the file is corrupted. This often (but not always) happened despite a restart.

Regards.

[DaChew]

well your dma may be off?

try to post a nero log of a successful burn

intel application accelerator installed?

using some non-standard ide driver?

[*.mp4 guy]

Have you installed any new antivirus software? Several years ago I Installed norton antivirus on my PC I had the same Issue with optical drives not refreshing the disk information, and uninstalling norton fixed the problem.

[setarip_old]

@ukb008

1) Try using (freeware) "IMGBurn" instead of NERO. Do you have the same problem? If not, the problem is with NERO. I have read of "booby-trapped" versions of NERO floating around.

2) Regarding the drives retaining prior information, this can occur as the result of abnormally exiting a program that has accessed the drive

3) Try performing a "System Restore" back to the last time things were working properly

[cc979]

does it do it with all cd media makes or just the one you using if so, your drive may not like the media

[jeffy]

Hello, Mr setarip_old

Thanks for your time.

The problem relates to burning any or all files. I don't think it is related to file(s) for writing. I don't think it's a recorder issue either. I feel it's something something to do with the interface of Windows and Nero,... but I am hardly the expert here.

The avi in the screenshot plays well; it is, in fact, a 1-CD-backup of my own NTSC DVD of Rolling Thunder, a 1977 thriller. I used DVDDecrypter and AutoGK to transcode it.

There's another issue (maybe a related one) that began a few weeks before the present issue. For some time now, I am noticing that windows does not refresh my optical drive(s) in My Computer after a disc has been ejected. It keeps on showing the name of the ejected disc and its size. If I put in another disc and opened the drive in My Computer, the resulting window showed the previous disc's contents; clicking them, of course, produced no result other than an error message that the file is corrupted. This often (but not always) happened despite a restart.

Regards.

"I've found that after disabling my autoplay feature that my drives show the old or no contents like your own..."
http://forums.techguy.org/windows-nt-2000-xp/499043-cd-dvd-will-not-refresh.html

Trying autofix.exe from:
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/browse_thread/thread/5474eafaa4a5d135/4356b7f2b7199466%234356b7f2b7199466

[jeffy]

I've had this problem early today and I tried the AutoFix mentioned above; it brought back the correct content refreshing (but the autorun feature as well...)

It needed a restart.

[ukb008]

Thanks, guys, for your time.

@ DaChew:

My DMA is not off.
Not using some non-standard IDE driver.
Don't know about Intel Application Accelerator. How do I know this?

*.mp4 guy

My antivirus is AVG-free and it's there since long before this problem. There's, therefore, probably not many reasons why suddenly AVG will create issues.

@setarip_old:

I've got no previous experiance of IMGBurn, but I'll try that. I don't know, but I hope two writing programs in the same computer won't create some conflict...

@cc979:

Yes, it happens with all media.

@jiffy:

It figures. Autorun launches an active search for contents of a disc inserted, so naturally there will have to be real refresh.

I'll report back.

Regards.

[burfadel]

It could well be a firmware problem, and support of the firmware with the media you're currently using. Are you using the default firmware or are you using the latest? I found through a quick search that your drive is a rebadged Liteon drive. Apparently it can be updated to the latest Liteon firmware no problem, which supposedly is better from what I could find. The link for the latest Liteon firmware is here:

http://www.liteonit.com/global/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=159&Itemid=67&limit=1&limitstart=2

This information was on here:
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=182316

Although similar stuff can be found on other websites.

If you are not willing to go to the Liteon firmware (which through the program Smartburn allows you to adjust some drive level settings), you can download the latest Sony firmware from here: (or other websites as well! I think the pys3 is the latest version for your drive)
http://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/8191/

Hope that helps!

[setarip_old]

@ukb008I don't know, but I hope two writing programs in the same computer won't create some conflict...IMGBurn and NERO (all versions) coexist peacefully ;>}

Have you, as I suggested earlier, tried performing a "System Restore" back to the last time things were working properly?

[burfadel]

I still think its a media mismatch problem. Its not the case that you can buy any brand DVD disk and expect it to burn! (apparently). I'm not just talking DVD +/-, there are many other factors as well. It may simply be the firmware of your drive doesn't support the disk you tried burning. I'm guessing that may be a new batch of disks and you haven't successfully burnt on them before?>

[ukb008]

Thanks, burfadel.

Yes, my Sony drive is a redadged Liteon. What's the world coming to? Even Sony is trustworthy no more.

The firmware link is dead, however, I'll find it somewhere.

Thanks for your time, and regards.

[burfadel]

Just hope the price of the Sony wasn't too much more than that of the Liteon!

You're right, it has been removed. The latest firmware for your drive can be downloaded here:
http://www.touslesdrivers.com/index.php?v_page=23&v_code=16209

The site isn't in English, but the firmware is (Anglais). To download, click on the Téléchargement (download) icon.

The firmware is hosted on that site. Its a safe respectable site so its ok :)

The product support on the Sony websites (yes I checked different countries, the websites are all different) is woeful, at least for firmware of previous DVD drives. At best I could only find the very most recent drive and their firmware!

I hope the above firmware helps, the download does work I checked!

[ukb008]

Hi

It's 4 months since the last reply...this thread may be dead. But there's new information that I think should be shared. So, here goes:

My writers had autorun turned off. It never created problems. But I ran this utility anyway:

Autofix (http://www.jsifaq.com/docs/files/78677/Autofix.zip)

and my problem was solved! The writers are fine now.

Here (http://www.jsifaq.com/SF/Tips/Tip.aspx?id=6952)'s a page that you may read for more info.

Regards.