Question

Strange behavior of CD burner drives

Asked by: wgenglan

I've got WinXP with latest updates (have used BSA to test), and I am considering a complete
HD wipe (have new HD available also) and re-install.  I have consistently had problems with
burning for about 4 mo. now.  I cannot keep the recording settings intact.  I get them working
for a day or two, then they are gone.  Also, I insert perfectly good CD's into my drives, and
the drive reads it fine, then after briefly showing the CD info, folders, etc., it then blanks
the explorer window, and any further access yields no info, and a properties shows 0 space,
0 used.  I can put the Cd into my notebook pc, and it shows everything.  It is not the drives
themselves, as I've even swapped them out with known good ones, same behavior.  It is
not the drivers, as I've updated, and still no good. Not the mobo, either, correct BIOS, default
system settings, correct jumpers, all AV and spyware comes up clean.

I am at a loss.  Any suggestions other than a complete re-install?  I am wondering if somehow
my system has been hacked and my administrator account limited somehow.  I know there
are security programs that can be installed via USB drives that will not show up unless the
USB drive with software is plugged in.  How do I check if this is the case?  I know someone
who had this, but can't get in touch with them to find out what they had and how they fixed.

Thanks in advance...

wgenglan

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Asked On
2006-04-27 at 14:04:10ID21830400
Tags

burner

,

cd

Topic

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
10

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Answers

 

by: KenneniahPosted on 2006-04-27 at 15:23:05ID: 16557917

One culprit of these kind of problems that I've run into lately has been Starforce (A copy protection system for quite a few games etc.). Basically it installs filter drivers in between your CD/DVD drives and Windows that have been known to interfere with quite a few things.
To see if this has been installed follow the instructions at http://www.boycottstarforce.net/?page_id=6
And if it's there, follow http://www.boycottstarforce.net/?page_id=7 to remove it.

As for seeing other hidden programs that might be causing it, Rootkit Revealer from http://www.sysinternals.com/utilities/rootkitrevealer.html can let you know if you have anything running on your system that is hidden.

 

by: nobusPosted on 2006-04-28 at 00:53:51ID: 16560042

you can also boot from a bootable cd, and check your disk ; knoppix is very good for that :

www.knoppix.org.

for your cd problem, maybe this can help :

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_cd_dvd_fix.htm

or this :

Remove upper and lower filters :
=========================
In Regedit,
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SYSTEM>CurrentControlSet>Class>{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
On the right hand side of the window, click UpperFilters. Click Edit on the menu bar. Click Delete, and then click OK. On the right-hand side of the window, click LowerFilters. Click Edit on the menu bar. Click Delete, and then click OK

 

by: wgenglanPosted on 2006-04-28 at 19:46:33ID: 16567204

Thank you, Kenneniah, but I don't have Starforce on my system.  I will check my system with rootkitrevealer.

nobus, I think you may be on the right track as I remember that I did have Nero
5 (older version, might not have been XP compatible version) installed at one time, along with InCD, which I have
uninstalled.  I later uninstalled the Nero 5, and installed Nero 6 express that came with a DVD drive, but having
had those on my system may have broken something.   But, I didn't find any UpperFilters or LowerFilters values in
the registry, so not sure about the relevance of that...

Will let you guys know what I find in the next couple days, and thanks again.

later...

wgenglan

 

by: wgenglanPosted on 2006-04-28 at 21:56:46ID: 16567474

Well, ran RootKitRevealer and got a couple false +'s, but not sure about another one, which is a registry
key name with embedded nulls, and cannot delete.  Not sure if I have anything to worry about or not.

The key is a subkey to the Shell Extensions\Approved\Web Folders\ key,
and shows up in more than one place (current user, and then the specific user)

it references a guid of:

{F09C0D46-7AFA0DC1-3666-A58CE7575367}, which I haven't found anywhere yet.

I downloaded the tool to delete embedded keys, but unless this is something I need to delete,
I'm leaving it as is for now.  So, till I either get more information, or find something wrong
elsewhere on my unit, I am still stumped.  Oh, well, at least I can use the machine, and I have
another one as a backup if I decide to re-install, etc.  

later

wgenglan

 

by: nobusPosted on 2006-04-29 at 00:01:03ID: 16567705

does it work in knoppix? then it is a software problem, and a install will cure it.

 

by: MeretePosted on 2006-04-29 at 04:35:56ID: 16568570

you could try creating a new profile, log off this one and onto the new one. re-install your nero as a stand alone burner, sometimes this can fix probs.
see if everything works then.
Cheers Merete

 

by: wgenglanPosted on 2006-05-01 at 07:33:52ID: 16577485

Okay, here's where I currently am:

I'm downloading Knoppix iso image as I'm typing this, so I haven't checked that yet, but will let you know, nobus.
I'm very sure it's a software problem, and I think it has to do with Nero somewhere. I think Nero is conflicting with
XP's cd writing capabilities.  When I started my box this a.m., one of my drives still has the recording options, the
other one doesn't.  The one that doesn't has a CD in it (?) that I know is good.  Strange...

As to the new profile, Merete, I already tried that a couple weeks ago, with no luck, but good suggestion anyway.

What's more, I can boot into Safe mode, and all of the options for the drives are like they are supposed to be.
Can't burn, but all CD's and DVD's are accessible, regardless of format... Stranger still...

If Knoppix will boot I will test the cd's that act funny there, if it works (like I think it will) then nobus, you are
correct, and as I already suspect, a clean install should cure it.  

More later...

wgenglan

 

by: nobusPosted on 2006-05-01 at 07:49:50ID: 16577617

ok . . waiting

 

by: wgenglanPosted on 2006-05-01 at 18:46:25ID: 16582503

Okay,

I'm splitting the points, and really both you, nobus, and Kenneniah equally helped me.  Excellent answers.

I used Rootkit Revealer to check my system, and found a possible rootkit.  Turns out it is a common one.
Guess which DRM software recently got busted for hiding a rootkit in their cd copyprotection software?
Yes, Sony.  Seems I have a cd with it, and have it installed on my pc.  I found SecuROM in my registry, and
this is associated with it.  I also found info on how to remove the software without losing my cd drives.

I downloaded Knoppix ISO image and burned it to a cd.  Booted great, and both drives worked fine, showing
my troubles are software related.  Plus, the Nero Express version 6 I have only recognizes one of the drives
as a burner.  It automatically selects it, and sets the other as a source drive, and won't let me change
anything.  

Still, I know what issues I have, and if removing the rootkit, or changing burning software doesn't
correct things, I know that a re-install will.  Thank you guys a bunch for your help.  This is why
experts exchange is so great!

wgenglan

 

by: nobusPosted on 2006-05-02 at 00:18:53ID: 16583679

have fun !

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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