Information window "Analyzing video" won't go away - authentication not running

[BGane]

As of DVD2SVCD 1.2.1, I have been having a problem with DVD2SVCD not running authentication. Yes - I have read the boards - and yes, I have implemented everything suggested in previous posts, but this is proving to be more stubborn this time. Please read:

Here is my sequence of events:

I place a DVD in the DVD drive
Start DVD2SVCD
Press the disc icon to authenticate the disc and read the IFO
IFO information is populated within DVD2SVCD, including audio track options
No DOS box appears with authentication information
Information window does not close
DVD2SVCD does not populate aspect ratio box

Here is my log file: (it's short)

WNASPI32.DLL 4.6.0.1021

----------

Additional information:

My system is an ASUS motherboard, Intel 815e chipset, PIII 733Mhz,
256MB RAM, LG 8162 DVD drive, Matrox G450 video, Maxtor 60GB hard drive, Windows XP SP1 with all current patches, ASPI layer 4.6.0.1021 ("XP ASPI" from dvd2svcd.org)

DVD2SVCD 1.1.3 Build 2 was previously installed and worked fine; I tried re-installing 1.1.3 B2, but it is broken now as well - same issue

When I first install DVD2SVCD 1.2.1, the disc WILL AUTHENTICATE and the information window closes. But - if I close DVD2SVCD and restart it again - then I get the problem. The only way to get authentication to work again is to re-install DVD2SVCD. Then, it will work once, and break again. I have tried this twice, with the same result.

I have tried uninstalling my ASPI layer, using the ForceASPI tools, and re-installing the ASPI layer (the XP ASPI from wwww.dvd2svcd.org), but I still have the same problem.

After a re-install, while DVD2SVCD is running for the first time, I can press the disc icon multiple times, and re-authentication will occur, with the DOS box appearing, authentication running and completing. But as soon as I close DVD2SVCD and re-start it - no go.

I wondered if re-booting might "clear" DVD2SVCD, but it does not. You must re-install DVD2SVCD to get it to run authentication again.

-------------

What could be happening with DVD2SVCD that authentication would succeed immediately after a new install, but break after the first execution of DVD2SVCD?

It appears as though the DVD2SVCD call to "Auth_Call.exe" is failing, as I never see the DOS box.

[BGane]

On the odd chance that the DVD2SVCD recommended ASPI layer might be causing this problem, I upgraded to the most recent ASPI drivers provided on the Adaptec website, which is now 4.71a2 (note that "a2" is a more recent version of 4.71 which was known to be somewhat problematic). Still the same problem. So again - I come back to DVD2SVCD as the most likely source of the problem.

[BGane]

Ok. A little more data, again.

Here is the text of the messages from "Auth_call.exe", when I run it manually from the command line:

C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\auth_call.exe D:
d:Aspi loaded
Drive authentication for DOS
ASPI for NT/2000/Whistler
Found GetHTL
Drive is not authenticated
Can't authenticate drive

C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD>


It would appear that the auth_call.exe is having trouble authenticating my drive. Yet SmartRipper has no trouble authenticating. Also, PowerDVD has no trouble authenticating. SmartRipper uses the ASPI layer as well, so the process should be similar to what DVD2SVCD uses, yes?

Also - why would I not even see the DOS box appear, if auth_call is in fact running, but failing - or did it run and die to quickly for the box to be posted?

So could this problem lie within auth_call.exe? Is this DVD2SVCD's code, or is it supplied by another provider?

[BGane]

Well, I've reverted back to the DVD2SVCD version of ASPI. If I call auth_call.exe now from the command line, it now shows the message "drive is authenticated", and prints below it

"<- Drive successfully authenticated ->"

... but the same problem remains with dvd2svcd still pended with the Information window prompt "Analyzing video, please wait ..."

[BGane]

Oh. Build 2 is posted! When did that sneak in?

Downloaded it. Tried it. Same problem.

I am now out of ideas and would appreciate it if anyone else can contribute to my conversation with myself so far.

[BGane]

Strange. The issue may be a little more general than just an APSI authentication problem.

It would appear that the DVD2SVCD.EXE application on my system in not able to launch a DOS shell. The reason that I suspect this, is that if I ignore the authentication problem and let DVD2SVCD continue, manually filling in for the aspect ratio on the main screen, then I get another problem further down the line when DVD2SVCD tries to run the "RunbbMPEG" command (another DOS call).

This would be consistent with my observation that DVD2SVCD never even brings up the DOS box for the Auth_call.exe - likely because it can't invoke a DOS shell.

Now BeSweet runs a DOS shell - but I don't believe the DOS shell is invoked by DVD2SVCD directly. Is this correct? BeSweet runs Ok.

Why is it that DVD2SVCD might be having trouble invoking DOS commands on my machine?

[BGane]

To test my theory, I replaced "Auth_call.exe", which is a DOS executable, with a renamed version of "notepad.exe" - a Windows executable.

I ran DVD2SVCD and, lo and behold, up pops notepad, where, normally, DVD2SVCD would have invoked Auth_call.exe. I closed notepad.exe, and DVD2SVCD carried on through its normal process. (Note: The DVD had previously been authenticated anyway - so DVD2SVCD would be able to rip without Auth_call.exe running).

So the issue isn't with ASPI layers or, it would seem, with Auth_call.exe itself. The issue is that calls to DOS executables, for DVD2SVCD, on my machine, are failing.

Why please? Any suggestions much appreciated!

[BGane]

Here is a log file, for what it is worth. I note that when the call to "Auth_call.exe" does not succeed, DVD2SVCD pends waiting for a return that will never happen. However, when DVD2SVCD attempts to execute "RunbbMPEG.exe", this actually generates an external exception error message (see below). If I open up a command window and execute "RunbbMPEG.exe" from there, it runs fine, and generates a proper muxed MPEG file. Only DVD2SVCD seems to be having this problem of running DOS executables on my machine.


----------------------


WNASPI32.DLL 4.71.2.0
--------------------------------------------------------
- 04/09/2003 1:25:46 PM
- DVD to SVCD Conversion
- DVD2VCD ver. 1.2.1 build 2
--------------------------------------------------------
Initializing
- D:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_0.IFO
- D:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_1.vob
- D:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_2.vob
- D:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_3.vob
- D:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_4.vob
Initializing finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 04/09/2003 1:25:53 PM
- Free on drive C: 15620.05 mb
- Internal rip
--------------------------------------------------------
Preparing vobfiles to be ripped:
- D:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_1.vob
- D:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_2.vob
- D:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_3.vob
- D:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_4.vob

Ripping: D:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_1.vob
Analyzing DVD2AVI Project file
Force Film NOT activated!
Framerate: 29970
Ripping finished. Speed: 3011

--------------------------------------------------------
- 04/09/2003 1:26:30 PM
- DVD2AVI
--------------------------------------------------------
Creating DVD2AVI INI file:
- C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\DVD2AVI\DVD2AVI.INI

Variable settings:
iDCT_Algorithm: 32-bit SSE MMX

Executing DVD2AVI.
Executing DVD2AVI. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\DVD2AVI\DVD2AVI.exe" -CS=2 -YR=1 -EXIT -OF=[C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\DVD2AVI_Project_file] -IF=[C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\VTS_02_1.vob]
Analyzing DVD2AVI Project file
Force Film NOT activated!
Framerate: 29970
DVD2AVI processing done.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 04/09/2003 1:26:50 PM
- Free on drive C: 15519.76 mb
- AUDIO Extraction
--------------------------------------------------------
Found AC3 stream id: 0x81
Filename: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\Extracted_audio_1.ac3
Audio1 delay: -218 ms
Analyzing DVD2AVI Project file
Force Film NOT activated!
Framerate: 29970
Audio extraction finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 04/09/2003 1:27:01 PM
- Free on drive C: 15513.75 mb
- AUDIO conversion
--------------------------------------------------------

Encoding Audio. Filename: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\Extracted_audio_1.ac3
Executing BeSweet. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\BeSweet\BeSweet.exe" -core( -input "C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\Extracted_audio_1.ac3" -output "C:\PROGRA~1\DVD2SVCD\Movie\Encoded_audio_1.mp2" -logfile "C:\PROGRA~1\DVD2SVCD\Movie\Encoded_audio_1.log" ) -azid( -L -3db -C 0db -S 0db -c normal -s surround -g max ) -ota( -d -218 ) -2lame( -e -b 224 -m s )
Audio conversion of C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\Extracted_audio_1.ac3 finished.

Audio conversion finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 04/09/2003 1:27:54 PM
- Free on drive C: 15510.69 mb
- Video Encoding using TMPGEnc
--------------------------------------------------------
- Encoding C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\AviSynth_Script_file.avs
StreamSectors: 771186864
AudioSectors: 3325644
VideoPAPO: 11894580
ScanOffsetBytes: 0
SeqAligningBytes: 0
DVDBytes: 0
VideoEndHeader: 4
SubtitleSectors: 0
EmptySectors: 238.00
PictureSectors: 1.00
PureMPEGStream: 755966636.00
Seconds: 117.14
CalcMPEGStream: 755966636.00
Frames: 3301
CDSize: 740.00
Number of CDs: 1
Cut point 735.00
Using CQ Value: 80.00
Executing TMPGEnc. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\TMPGEnc\TMPGEnc.exe" "C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\TMPGEnc_Project_file.tpr" /Encode /Close
Video Encoding finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 04/09/2003 1:33:15 PM
- Free on drive C: 15509.00 mb
- Converting Pictures from ES to PS
--------------------------------------------------------
Saving bbMPEG settings: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\bbMPEG\default.ini
--------------------------------------------------------
- 04/09/2003 1:33:19 PM
- Free on drive C: 15508.94 mb
- Converting Pictures from ES to PS
--------------------------------------------------------
Saving bbMPEG settings: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\bbMPEG\default.ini
--------------------------------------------------------
- 04/09/2003 1:33:22 PM
- Free on drive C: 15508.89 mb
- Converting Pictures from ES to PS
--------------------------------------------------------
Saving bbMPEG settings: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\bbMPEG\default.ini
--------------------------------------------------------
- 04/09/2003 1:33:26 PM
- Free on drive C: 15508.84 mb
- Multiplexing and cutting
--------------------------------------------------------
Saving bbMPEG settings: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\bbMPEG\default.ini
Offset in Seconds: 0
Executing bbMPEG.
Variable Settings:
Movie offset: 0 seconds
Cut point: 735 mb

Executing RunbbMPEG. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\bbMPEG\RunbbMPEG.exe" "C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\bbMPEG_Muxed_File.mpg"
EExternalException External exception C0000008

[dvd2svcd]

Originally posted by BGane
To test my theory, I replaced "Auth_call.exe", which is a DOS executable, with a renamed version of "notepad.exe" - a Windows executable.

I ran DVD2SVCD and, lo and behold, up pops notepad, where, normally, DVD2SVCD would have invoked Auth_call.exe. I closed notepad.exe, and DVD2SVCD carried on through its normal process. (Note: The DVD had previously been authenticated anyway - so DVD2SVCD would be able to rip without Auth_call.exe running).

So the issue isn't with ASPI layers or, it would seem, with Auth_call.exe itself. The issue is that calls to DOS executables, for DVD2SVCD, on my machine, are failing.

Why please? Any suggestions much appreciated! Auth_Call and Besweet is run on the exact same way, no difference there, so it has nothing to do with not being able to run a dos box. Please check the following:

1. DVD2SVCD.EXE and AUTH_CALL.EXE is in the same folder
2. That you have administrator rights to yor computer
3. That you have updated your antivirus to the latest definitions and that you have scanned your computer
4. That you have checked your Hard drive for errors (chkdsk d: /f)
5. Have you tried installing dvd2svcd on another computer.

[BGane]

Auth_Call and Besweet is run on the exact same way, no difference there, so it has nothing to do with not being able to run a dos box. Please check the following:

1. DVD2SVCD.EXE and AUTH_CALL.EXE is in the same folder
2. That you have administrator rights to yor computer
3. That you have updated your antivirus to the latest definitions and that you have scanned your computer
4. That you have checked your Hard drive for errors (chkdsk d: /f)
5. Have you tried installing dvd2svcd on another computer.


But Auth_Call's icon shows as a DOS box, while the BeSweet program shows as a Windows icon. This indicates that the loader sees one as a Windows program, while the other is recognized as a DOS program.

I have not changed the standard installation. Both DVD2SVCD and Auth_call.exe are in C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD directory. I have administrator rights. I have McAfee Antivirus 7.0 - fully updated - system fully scanned today. I run NTFS - can you still use chkdsk? DVD2SVCD does run on my other computer, but that computer is running Windows 2000. This machine, which has the problem, is running Windows XP.

As I have said above - it is strange that Auth_call.exe will run, if Auth_call.exe is actually a renamed Windows program. But Auth_call.exe will NOT run, if it is a DOS program.

[BGane]

Another finding:

If I run DVD2SVCD.EXE in a batch file (i.e. let's say we create "DVD2SVCD.BAT", with contents of just "dvd2svcd"), then DVD2SVCD is able to run Auth_call.exe, and everything works fine.

The technicalities of why this works, from what I understand, is that when you run a batch file, XP creates a separate virtual machine for the DOS batch. But I'm not really sure why this makes a difference here.

I suppose this is a workaround, but I find it odd that Windows XP is behaving this way.

I would conclude that this is not a DVD2SVCD problem, but it is a weird quirk of XP that seems to interfere with the proper operation of DVD2SVCD.

In any case, if this should occur again - let the above serve as a workaround for anyone who needs it. Perhaps XP SP2 will address my problem, or perhaps the problem will go away just as spontaneously as it appeared :(

[dvd2svcd]

Well, icons doesn't really matter. Both programs are written for win32. But I do agree you have a very odd problem and I wish I could tell you what to do about it, but I really haven't a clue anymore.