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Phillips CDR Buffer underrun...(is it toast ?)
I have had a Phillipd CDRW for about a year. It has worked fine. Now it refuses to burn any cd's.(buffer underrun what else is there ?) nothing has changed ..software or hardware. Am currently on win98 (Not se) using a cyrex 686 w/ 128 MB ram; Easy cd creator 4. What all have I tried ? 1) changing brands of cd's
2) Completely reinstalling windows (Clean Install)
3) checking the cables (Ide)
4) letting the machine cool down.]
5) trying to burn w/ the cover removed
When attempting to burn I will perform the test first and it completes sucessfully. but fails when it's time to write. I am creating a data cd..
using the easy cd creator software (it won't copy cd's either same problem)first I build a disk lay out of what's to be on the cd, then create an image file on disk. The only sucess that I have had is by placing a 2k text file on the layout .. in other words I was able to record a 2k file on rhe cd. Yes, I leave the Cd open. this may or may not be of any consequense but the cd direct stuff works with out a problem. Can copy files to a Rw cd.
Any Ideas ?]
thanks
Paul Sutton
2) Completely reinstalling windows (Clean Install)
3) checking the cables (Ide)
4) letting the machine cool down.]
5) trying to burn w/ the cover removed
When attempting to burn I will perform the test first and it completes sucessfully. but fails when it's time to write. I am creating a data cd..
using the easy cd creator software (it won't copy cd's either same problem)first I build a disk lay out of what's to be on the cd, then create an image file on disk. The only sucess that I have had is by placing a 2k text file on the layout .. in other words I was able to record a 2k file on rhe cd. Yes, I leave the Cd open. this may or may not be of any consequense but the cd direct stuff works with out a problem. Can copy files to a Rw cd.
Any Ideas ?]
thanks
Paul Sutton
ASKER
Adjusted points to 300
Defragment the hard-drive which holds the data to be copied to the CD.
An "under-run" (the opposite of an "over-run") is when the computer cannot send data in a "timely" manner to the CD-writer -- the CD-writer demands that data be in its internal buffers *WHEN* necessary.
Having data "scattered" over your hard-drive creates delays in reading the data, and thus delays getting the data transmitted to the CD-writer.
Reinstalling Windows *contributes* to the "fragmenting" of the disk, which you want to avoid.
An "under-run" (the opposite of an "over-run") is when the computer cannot send data in a "timely" manner to the CD-writer -- the CD-writer demands that data be in its internal buffers *WHEN* necessary.
Having data "scattered" over your hard-drive creates delays in reading the data, and thus delays getting the data transmitted to the CD-writer.
Reinstalling Windows *contributes* to the "fragmenting" of the disk, which you want to avoid.
ASKER
It has been defragmented.
ASKER
It has been defragmented.
make sure there is nothing else going on such as screen savers trying to initiate or virus software. also, you can't really be doing anything else on the system while burning. make sure all background apps are closed except for explorer and systray. then open your burner software.
otta's post is correct in saying that these errors can be caused by a fragmented disk.
basically what is happening is the cd records at real tme, demanding that data be provided to the burner in real time. If it is not, you will get these errors.
otta's post is correct in saying that these errors can be caused by a fragmented disk.
basically what is happening is the cd records at real tme, demanding that data be provided to the burner in real time. If it is not, you will get these errors.
ASKER
Ok... not much of ANYTHING is running.
Since I am able to usr the R/w function of the drove can we rule out a hardware failure in the drive and look else where ?
Since I am able to usr the R/w function of the drove can we rule out a hardware failure in the drive and look else where ?
yeah, could have a lot to due with the cyrix processor but basically, the definition of the problem given above is going to hold true. The buffer under run means that data is not getting to the cd burner fast enough
ASKER
?? It **HAS** worked w/ the cyrex;did it just decide that things were too slow ?? Btw defragging accomplished nothing. Since the drive is still functional (Read) and still retains the write capabality Via direct cd can we rule out drive failure ?
ASKER
?? It **HAS** worked w/ the cyrex;did it just decide that things were too slow ?? Btw defragging accomplished nothing. Since the drive is still functional (Read) and still retains the write capabality Via direct cd can we rule out drive failure ?
i wouldn't say we could rule it out but I would say it's not probable. How much memory do you have? How much fre space is on the hard drive? hmmm, that could really be it.....
if there's not enough space on the hard drive to create the image, this is where the problem lies.
if there's not enough space on the hard drive to create the image, this is where the problem lies.
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what kind of CD-R discs are you using? There are two types...the newer type, with a light blue tint on the recording side, writes and reads better, as the older, silver sided don't work as well...read problems in other CD drives, bad recording. Make sure your disks are up to par
ASKER
It still doesn't work, and I really won't know until it is put in another machine. Thanks for your time.
P. Sutton
P. Sutton
though I appreciate the points, I don't feel like I have really helped you solve the problem after reading your comment above.
if you'd like, I would like to continue to try to figure this out.
1) What is the cd-recording software you are using and have you uninstalled and reinstalled it?
2) What are the specs on the system as far as available space on drive c:? ( the fact that you can record a 2k file is showing us that it's possibly a problem with free space or virtual memory)
if you'd like, I would like to continue to try to figure this out.
1) What is the cd-recording software you are using and have you uninstalled and reinstalled it?
2) What are the specs on the system as far as available space on drive c:? ( the fact that you can record a 2k file is showing us that it's possibly a problem with free space or virtual memory)
ASKER
Ok.. Hope you're right. First of all Does the fact that the r/w (directcd) function is still operational lead you to believe the the problem is not in the Cd hardware?
here goes...
I have two drivs set up on the system
the first is 2.5 Gb, currently there is approx. 1.5 Gb free. Also this is where windows resides along w/ all apps
then there is the second drive 6.4 Gb which is split in to 2 partitions, Each having 3 Gb. I really don't believe that space is a problem. Also when I managed to record the small file as mentioned it should have taken a insignificant amount of time to do so. It took perhaps 1 to 2 min. At least I thought it was an awful long time.
The software is Adaptec easy cd creater 4
Let me know what you think
here goes...
I have two drivs set up on the system
the first is 2.5 Gb, currently there is approx. 1.5 Gb free. Also this is where windows resides along w/ all apps
then there is the second drive 6.4 Gb which is split in to 2 partitions, Each having 3 Gb. I really don't believe that space is a problem. Also when I managed to record the small file as mentioned it should have taken a insignificant amount of time to do so. It took perhaps 1 to 2 min. At least I thought it was an awful long time.
The software is Adaptec easy cd creater 4
Let me know what you think
ASKER
Ok.. Hope you're right. First of all Does the fact that the r/w (directcd) function is still operational lead you to believe the the problem is not in the Cd hardware?
here goes...
I have two drivs set up on the system
the first is 2.5 Gb, currently there is approx. 1.5 Gb free. Also this is where windows resides along w/ all apps
then there is the second drive 6.4 Gb which is split in to 2 partitions, Each having 3 Gb. I really don't believe that space is a problem. Also when I managed to record the small file as mentioned it should have taken a insignificant amount of time to do so. It took perhaps 1 to 2 min. At least I thought it was an awful long time.
The software is Adaptec easy cd creater 4
Let me know what you think
here goes...
I have two drivs set up on the system
the first is 2.5 Gb, currently there is approx. 1.5 Gb free. Also this is where windows resides along w/ all apps
then there is the second drive 6.4 Gb which is split in to 2 partitions, Each having 3 Gb. I really don't believe that space is a problem. Also when I managed to record the small file as mentioned it should have taken a insignificant amount of time to do so. It took perhaps 1 to 2 min. At least I thought it was an awful long time.
The software is Adaptec easy cd creater 4
Let me know what you think
ASKER
Ok.. Hope you're right. First of all Does the fact that the r/w (directcd) function is still operational lead you to believe the the problem is not in the Cd hardware?
here goes...
I have two drivs set up on the system
the first is 2.5 Gb, currently there is approx. 1.5 Gb free. Also this is where windows resides along w/ all apps
then there is the second drive 6.4 Gb which is split in to 2 partitions, Each having 3 Gb. I really don't believe that space is a problem. Also when I managed to record the small file as mentioned it should have taken a insignificant amount of time to do so. It took perhaps 1 to 2 min. At least I thought it was an awful long time.
The software is Adaptec easy cd creater 4
Let me know what you think
here goes...
I have two drivs set up on the system
the first is 2.5 Gb, currently there is approx. 1.5 Gb free. Also this is where windows resides along w/ all apps
then there is the second drive 6.4 Gb which is split in to 2 partitions, Each having 3 Gb. I really don't believe that space is a problem. Also when I managed to record the small file as mentioned it should have taken a insignificant amount of time to do so. It took perhaps 1 to 2 min. At least I thought it was an awful long time.
The software is Adaptec easy cd creater 4
Let me know what you think
here's something i should have thought about before
in device manager, click the + next to cd-roms
highlight the burner and click properties
click on the settings tab
make sure DMA is not checked
if it is, uncheck it and apply
in device manager, click the + next to cd-roms
highlight the burner and click properties
click on the settings tab
make sure DMA is not checked
if it is, uncheck it and apply
haven't heard from you lately, has the problem been solved?
ASKER