Computers goes really slow when burning dvds. *plz help*

[Dave25]

Hi Guys.

I have a Pentium 4 2.00ghz with 512mb of ram and a Sony Dru500a dvd writer with Windows xp installed.

My computers goes extremely slow when i burn a DVD. I didnt have this problem before, I used to surf the net whilst burning without any problems until recently.
The two main programs that i use for burning are Nero 6 and DVDdecrypter, and i have the same problem with both, the buffer level goes up and down and my pc goes really slow and i am unable to do anything else whilst burning. I have even reinstalled windows xp but it started again after a few burns. I have checked in system properties and DMA is enabled. I have tried switching places with my second dvd/cd writer but without any success!!. I have even checked to see if i had installed any new software which could slow the burning process, and I havent, apart from DLcodec pack which i don't think effects the burning process in any way.

If there is anybody who could help me rectify this problem, it would be most appreciated. Is there anything in the bious menu I could check?
Plz help!

Thanks in advance

Dave

[LIGHTNING UK!]

It can only really be DMA and it sure as hell sounds like it is.
Ok, so you say you've already checked it, but just humour me and do the quick fix that lots of people have posted about.

Delete your ide controller from device manager, reboot and let windows find it again.

That 'should' fix the problem.

Double check the bios sees everything as DMA enabled too.

[Dave25]

Thanks for the reply mate. I have already tried deleting the ide controller and rebooting but still no success.
I am not sure if this matters but I tried deleting the primary one first and it didnt allow me to delete the secondary as it required a bootup,and if I did that it would have found the primary one again before attemping to delete the secondary one.

I just want to check my system properties. On my primary ide channel is says Ultra DMA mode 5 and secondary says Ultra DMA mode 2. Does that sound correct?

I am not familiar with the bios setup. Can you tell me how to access it, i have forgotten which button u press and where exactly am i looking for in the bios menu.

thanks alot

dave

[atreides93]

Most computers have it set up so if you hit the "DEL" key during bootup, it'll bring up the BIOS. But it can vary...sometimes its one of the function keys.

Have you monitored your CPU usage when its burning a DVD? If its high, then that means somehow DMA isn't working..even if it says it is...(stupid windows)

[Dave25]

ok mate, just managed to get into bios. i went the IDE Configuration menu. This is what i see for my Sony dvd writer ; -

multi-sectors xfer (disabled)
PIO mode (mode 4)
Ultra DMA (mode 2)
cable detected (40 conductor)

So how do i know DMA is enabled, or everything is alright?


thanks

dave

[atreides93]

That's weird...it shows both PIO and DMA mode?
You can't have them both going at the same time.

Another possibility is your drive is going bad and having trouble reading or writing disks now...

How about your hard disk performance? Is it still ok?

Try out HD-TACH it will test your hard disk speed...

[markrb]

If you don't have a ATA 66/100/133 cable then I highly suggest with that burner that you switch to one. It still has only 40 pins, but 80 wires to insulate each pin from crosstalk.

Since day one I can't do anything while burning with that burner or I get coasters and I have a fairly powerful PC myself.
Keep in mind if you are burning at 4x you are putting a fair burden on the IDE bus. Even at 2X it can be taxing.

Mark