Problems writing CDs in WinXP

Hello vodkasoda,

My suggestion to you is that make sure that you don't any programs running in the background when your burning. Also go to the Manufactures website and make sure you have the latest firmware for you CD-RW. Another thing you should keep in mind is that if you have more then 1 burning program on your computer sometimes they conflict with eachother causing problems when you are trying to burn.

What I think it might be is some program running in the background causing it to not work properly.

Give that a shot and update me on progress you get.

Hope that helped

Spec01 ...

I never have anything else running and I always make sure all other users are logged off ... BUT, I do have anti-spyware & anti-virus programs running all the time and various programs periodically check for updates ... maybe I should disconnect from the ADSL & close all those programs before I burn ... bloody ridiculous if that's the case !!!

I haven't checked for new Firmware, yes, that's good idea. I didn't think about it as the drive is pretty new, but it's as good a place as any to start !!!

Did I read the log correctly, is the CD writer connected to a promise fasttrak raid controller? If that is the case I'd change that and connect the optical drives to the builtin IDE controller, if there are two connectors builtin and they aren't used for anything else I'd put each drive on it's own IDE channel. Also check the nero site for an update, I think the current version is 7.0.5.4. Also check your promise controller and if possible turn on DMA on it.

I've no idea about the log, rindi, I didn't understand the bottom part so didn't pay any attention to the rest of it !!!

In this PC I have 2 standard IDE HDD drives, 2 SATA HDD drives, a DVD/ROM & a DVD/R/RW ... and the 2 DVD drives are both IDE. I do have problems, in that my CMOS battery died last week, so I put in a new one and since then I cannot access either SATA drive (so if you can help with that, please do :-) !!!), but both DVD drives use normal ribbon cables (what are they, 40 or 44 pins ?!?).

I have the very latest version of Nero, albeit under trial, but as for the DMA ... yes, interesting point ... since I have upgraded to WinXP, about 10 weeks ago, I don't seem to have a DMA option ... I seem to have a lot of problems at the moment, don't I !!!

BUT, I don't think they are, well, certainly not ALL of them <s>, responsible for the CD writing problem, as it sometimes works !!!

garycase ... plenty for me to look into there, thanks !!!

Sorry I haven't tried it out yet, I've been working 12 hour days as I'm a Payroll support programmer & it's Year End at the moment, it's hectic !!!

Hopefully over the weekend ...

Hi garycase ... I told you I'd get around to it !!! I've actually just bought a new M/B & processor, so will be updating this PC over the weekend, but I still want to burn new drivers and stuff, so here goes :

>>> (3)  For each of the "Primary IDE Channel" and "Secondary IDE Channel" entries do the following:

     (a)  right-click and choose Properties
     (b)  click on the Advanced Settings tab <<<

Here's a good start ... I don't have an ADVANCED option !!!

Shall I just upgrade this old beast & see if everything works better under the new set up ?!?!?

Whoa!!   You don't have an "Advanced Settings" tab in the Properties window????!!!

Are you doing this from Device Manager?   You have to expand (click the plus sign) the IDE/ATA/ATAPI controllers first;  then highlight, for example, Primary IDE Channel, then right-click, and select Properties.   Is this exactly what you're doing??

Exactomundo ... I have a heading of "Primary nForce IDE Channel Properties" and I have 4 tabs, GENERAL, which gives me Device Type, Manufacturer & Location. There is a Device Status window & a Troubleshoot button ...

DRIVER tab gives me Driver Provider, Date, Version & Signer plus buttons entitled Driver Details, Update Driver & Rollback Driver, Uninstall is blanked out.

DETAILS tab gives me a drop down selection box with loads of options such as Device Instance ID, Hardware IDs, Compatible IDs

Finally I have a RESOURCES tab, which give me Resource Types & Settings plus a Conflicting Device list ...

... and that's it !!!
 

Just to be certain we're on the same page here,  if you go to Device Manager, then click the "+" sign by IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers, how many items does it list below that?  (and what are they?)

... one of those items SHOULD be "Primary IDE Channel"   If you highlight it; then right-click; and select Properties, are you seeing what you described above?

-  IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers
        NVIDIA nForce IDE Controller
        Primary nForce IDE Channel
        Secondary nForce IDE Channel

Then, yes, right clicking on Primary nForce IDE Channel & selecting Properties, I get all of the details above ...

Okay, open RegEdit and go to the following:

HKey_Local_Machine\Hardware\Devicemap\Scsi\Scsi Port x

where x is 0, 1, 2, etc.

For each of these entries, see what the current setting is for DMAEnabled

SCSI Port 0
  Default    Reg_Sz    (Value not set)
  Driver    Reg_Sz    nvidesm
  Interrupt    Reg_Dword    0x0000000e (14)
  IOAddress    Reg_Dword    0x000001f0 (496)
  SCSI Bus 0
    Initiator Id 255    Reg_Sz    (Value not set)
    Target Id 0    Reg_Sz    (Value not set)
      LogicalUnit Id
        Default    Reg_Sz    (Value not set)
        Identifier    Reg_Sz    SAMSUNG SP1213N    TL10
        Inquiry Data    Reg_Binary    above in binary !
        Type    Reg_Sz    DiskPeripheral
    Target Id 1    Reg_Sz    (Value not set)
      LogicalUnit Id
        Default    Reg_Sz    (Value not set)
        Identifier    Reg_Sz    SAMSUNG SP1604N    TM10
        Inquiry Data    Reg_Binary    above in binary !
        Type    Reg_Sz    DiskPeripheral

SCSI Port 1
  Default    Reg_Sz    (Value not set)
  Driver    Reg_Sz    nvidesm
  Interrupt    Reg_Dword    0x0000000f (15)
  IOAddress    Reg_Dword    0x00000170 (368)
  SCSI Bus 0
    Initiator Id 255    Reg_Sz    (Value not set)
    Target Id 0    Reg_Sz    (Value not set)
      LogicalUnit Id
        Default    Reg_Sz    (Value not set)
        Identifier    Reg_Sz    TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372VTU11
        Inquiry Data    Reg_Binary    above in binary !
        Type    Reg_Sz    CdRomPeripheral
    Target Id 1    Reg_Sz    (Value not set)
      LogicalUnit Id
        Default    Reg_Sz    (Value not set)
        Identifier    Reg_Sz    ASUS DVD-ROM E616    2.1
        Inquiry Data    Reg_Binary    above in binary !
        Type    Reg_Sz    CdRomPeripheral

SCSI Port 2
  Default    Reg_Sz    (Value not set)
  Driver    Reg_Sz    fasttx2k
  Interrupt    Reg_Dword    0x00000010 (16)
  IOAddress    Reg_Dword    0x0000ac00 (44032)
  SCSI Bus 0
    Initiator Id 255    Reg_Sz    (Value not set)
    Target Id 0    Reg_Sz    (Value not set)
      LogicalUnit Id
        Default    Reg_Sz    (Value not set)
        Identifier    Reg_Sz
        Inquiry Data    Reg_Binary    Low Values
        Type    Reg_Sz    DiskPeripheral

There ... hope there's no Typos ... certainly nothing about DMA !!!

Okay, go into Device Manager, highlight the nVidia IDE controller (NVIDIA nForce IDE Controller), right-click, and Uninstall it.   Reboot as directed.   Then check your IDE channels for an Advanced Settings tab.

Sorry about the delay, I've been away ... OK, I've done that and I now have "Advanced Settings" tabs ...

Device Type: Auto detection (greyed out)
Transfer Mode: DMA if available (the other option is PIO only)
Current Transfer Mode: Ultra DMA Mode 5

But I burned a CD last night and it still failed !!! Unfortunately I was a bit knackered after a long jourbey & didn't keep the log ... should I try to burn another and paste the log if it fails ?!?
 

The Ultra DMA Mode 5 is most likely your hard drive ==> I think you were looking at the wrong channel for your optical drive.   Check your other IDE channel(s) to be sure the optical drive is also using Ultra DMA.   If not, do the registry modification I posted above.

If the optical drive is using DMA transfers, then your problem is most likely either a bad drive;  or a drive/media mismatch.

The drive you're using had a known issue with a lot of different media until the TU15 firmware release.   Is that what you're using?   If not, that may very well be all you need to do -- just update to the TU15 firmware.

In case you don't have the TU15 update, here's where you can get it:
http://sdd.toshiba.com/main.aspx?Path=8182000000220000000100006598000015a5/818200000c4a000000010000659c00002c12

garycase, cheers for getting back ... those were the settings for both devices on my Primary IDE channel, the Secondary settings are exactly the same except for Device 0 has a Current Transfer Mode of Ultra DMA Mode 2 ...

I'll try the firmware upgrade & see if that helps, thanks for this ...

... Ultra DMA 2 is almost certainly your optical drive ==> but that means it IS using DMA, so I suspect the issue here is your older firmware.   Do the upgrade and I think you'll have much better results;  I did a bit of research on that drive and a lot of folks had problems until they upgraded to TU15 firmware.

OK ... I applied the Firmware upgrade and wrote a CD at 32x ... it failed & this is the ENTIRE log ... it's miniscule compared to before ... BUT, I then re-wrote the same CD at 8x and it worked ... I need to rebuild the SW on this machine, as the HW upgrade is giving me a few problems, so unless you can give me a good reason NOT to, I'll give you the points for your fantastic help & re-install everything (I can't get the SATA drives working again as I need a new floppy drive <yawn>, the hassle !!!) & try again ... what say you garycase ?!?!

Windows XP 5.1
IA32
WinAspi: -
ahead WinASPI: File 'C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\Core\Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=2.0.1.74, size=164112 bytes, created 02/11/2004 13:54:32

NT-SPTI used
Nero Version: 7.0.1.4
Internal Version: 7, 0, 1, 4
 (Nero Express)
Recorder:             <TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372V>Version: TU15 - HA 1 TA 0 - 7.0.1.4
 Adapter driver:      <IDE>                     HA 1
 Drive buffer  :      2048kB
 Bus Type      :      default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ?
CD-ROM:               <ASUS     DVD-ROM E616    >Version: 2.1  - HA 1 TA 1 - 7.0.1.4
 Adapter driver:      <IDE>                     HA 1

=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral       : SAMSUNG SP1213N                  atapi Port 0 ID 0  DMA: On
DiskPeripheral       : SAMSUNG SP1604N                  atapi Port 0 ID 1  DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral      : TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372V         atapi Port 1 ID 0  DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral      : ASUS DVD-ROM E616                atapi Port 1 ID 1  DMA: On

=== CDRom-Device-Map ===
TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372V   D:   CDRom0
ASUS DVD-ROM E616          E:   CDRom1
=======================

AutoRun : 1
Excluded drive IDs:
WriteBufferSize: 83886080 (0) Byte
ShowDrvBufStat : 1
BUFE           : 0
Physical memory     : 1023MB (1047792kB)
Free physical memory: 126MB (129900kB)
Memory in use       : 87 %
Uncached PFiles: 0x0
Use Inquiry    : 1
Global Bus Type: default (0)
Check supported media : Disabled (0)

29.4.2006
Audio CD
20:02:06      #1 CDADOC -1 File Cdadoc.cpp, Line 1507
      Audio item log info:
      Audio document burn settings:
      =============================
      Burn mode: DAO,
      CD Text: On,
      Cache disk or network files: No,
      Cache small files: No,
      Cache files smaller than 65536 bytes.
      Audio Multisession: No
      List of audio tracks:
      =====================
      Track 01: Length: 03:01.57, Pause frames: 150, Filters: 1, Name: 'Chuck Berry - Sweet Little Sixteen. 01. Legendary Oldies Of The 50's And 60's.mp3'.
      Track 02: Length: 02:56.73, Pause frames: 150, Filters: 1, Name: 'Crests - Sixteen Candles [60s Oldies].mp3'.
      Track 03: Length: 02:38.20, Pause frames: 150, Filters: 1, Name: 'Paul Anka - Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen.mp3'.
      Track 04: Length: 02:44.52, Pause frames: 150, Filters: 1, Name: 'Ringo Starr - You're Sixteen (You're Beautiful And You're Mine).mp3'.
      Track 05: Length: 02:03.67, Pause frames: 150, Filters: 1, Name: 'Sam Cooke - Only Sixteen.mp3'.
      Track 06: Length: 01:59.18, Pause frames: 150, Filters: 1, Name: '02-Various Artists- Johnny Burnette - You're Sixteen.mp3'.
      Track 07: Length: 03:05.50, Pause frames: 150, Filters: 1, Name: '09 Hilary Duff - Sweet Sixteen.mp3'.
      Track 08: Length: 02:35.55, Pause frames: 150, Filters: 1, Name: '16-Various Artists-Neil Sedaka - Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen.mp3'.
      Track 09: Length: 04:17.50, Pause frames: 150, Filters: 1, Name: 'Billy Idol - Sweet Sixteen.mp3'.
      Total size: 25:41.67
      
20:02:06      #2 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3048
      TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372V
      Buffer underrun protection activated
      
20:02:07      #3 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 525
      ReadBuffer-Pipe got 81920KB of Memory
      
20:02:07      #4 Text 0 File Reader.cpp, Line 124
      Reader running
      
20:02:07      #5 Text 0 File Writer.cpp, Line 113
      Writer D: TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372V running
      
20:02:07      #6 Text 0 File AudioCompilationImpl.cpp, Line 842
      DRM: StartDrmRecording(RealRec:1, ImageRec:0, Copies:1)
      DRM: Beginning burn process.
      
20:02:07      #7 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3342
      Turn on Disc-At-Once, using CD-R/RW media
      
20:02:07      #8 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 279
      Last possible write address on media:   359848 ( 79:59.73)
      Last address to be written:             115491 ( 25:41.66)
      
20:02:07      #9 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 291
      Write in overburning mode: NO (enabled: CD)
      
20:02:07      #10 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 2578
      Recorder: TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372V
      
20:02:07      #11 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 458
      >>> Protocol of DlgWaitCD activities: <<<
      =========================================
      
20:02:07      #12 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 847
      Setup items (after recorder preparation)
       0: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE (Chuck Berry - Sweet Little Sixteen. 01. Legendary Oldies Of The 50's And 60's.mp3)
          2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
          original disc pos #0 + 13632 (13632) = #13632/3:1.57
          relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/not required, no patch infos
          -> TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 13632 blocks [D: TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372V]
       1: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE (Crests - Sixteen Candles [60s Oldies].mp3)
          2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
          original disc pos #0 + 13273 (13273) = #13273/2:56.73
          relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/not required, no patch infos
          -> TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 13273 blocks [D: TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372V]
       2: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE (Paul Anka - Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen.mp3)
          2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
          original disc pos #0 + 11870 (11870) = #11870/2:38.20
          relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/not required, no patch infos
          -> TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 11870 blocks [D: TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372V]
       3: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE (Ringo Starr - You're Sixteen (You're Beautiful And You're Mine).mp3)
          2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
          original disc pos #0 + 12352 (12352) = #12352/2:44.52
          relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/not required, no patch infos
          -> TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 12352 blocks [D: TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372V]
       4: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE (Sam Cooke - Only Sixteen.mp3)
          2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
          original disc pos #0 + 9292 (9292) = #9292/2:3.67
          relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/not required, no patch infos
          -> TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 9292 blocks [D: TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372V]
       5: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE (02-Various Artists- Johnny Burnette - You're Sixteen.mp3)
          2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
          original disc pos #0 + 8943 (8943) = #8943/1:59.18
          relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/not required, no patch infos
          -> TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 8943 blocks [D: TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372V]
       6: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE (09 Hilary Duff - Sweet Sixteen.mp3)
          2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
          original disc pos #0 + 13925 (13925) = #13925/3:5.50
          relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/not required, no patch infos
          -> TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 13925 blocks [D: TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372V]
       7: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE (16-Various Artists-Neil Sedaka - Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen.mp3)
          2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
          original disc pos #0 + 11680 (11680) = #11680/2:35.55
          relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/not required, no patch infos
          -> TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 11680 blocks [D: TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372V]
       8: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE (Billy Idol - Sweet Sixteen.mp3)
          2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
          original disc pos #0 + 19325 (19325) = #19325/4:17.50
          relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/not required, no patch infos
          -> TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 19325 blocks [D: TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372V]
      --------------------------------------------------------------
      
20:02:07      #13 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 1059
      Prepare recorder [D: TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372V] for write in CUE-sheet-DAO
      DAO infos:
      ==========
       MCN: ""
       TOCType: 0x00; Session Closed, disc fixated
       Tracks 1 to 9:
         1: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352/0x00, FilePos             0        352800      32415264, ISRC ""
         2: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352/0x00, FilePos      32415264      32768064      63986160, ISRC ""
         3: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352/0x00, FilePos      63986160      64338960      92257200, ISRC ""
         4: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352/0x00, FilePos      92257200      92610000     121661904, ISRC ""
         5: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352/0x00, FilePos     121661904     122014704     143869488, ISRC ""
         6: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352/0x00, FilePos     143869488     144222288     165256224, ISRC ""
         7: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352/0x00, FilePos     165256224     165609024     198360624, ISRC ""
         8: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352/0x00, FilePos     198360624     198713424     226184784, ISRC ""
         9: TRM_AUDIO_NOPRE, 2352/0x00, FilePos     226184784     226537584     271989984, ISRC ""
      DAO layout:
      ===========
       __Start_|____Track_|_Idx_|_CtrlAdr_|_RecDep__________
          -150 |  lead-in |   0 |    0x01 | 0x00
          -150 |        1 |   0 |    0x21 | 0x00
             0 |        1 |   1 |    0x21 | 0x00
         13632 |        2 |   0 |    0x21 | 0x00
         13782 |        2 |   1 |    0x21 | 0x00
         27055 |        3 |   0 |    0x21 | 0x00
         27205 |        3 |   1 |    0x21 | 0x00
         39075 |        4 |   0 |    0x21 | 0x00
         39225 |        4 |   1 |    0x21 | 0x00
         51577 |        5 |   0 |    0x21 | 0x00
         51727 |        5 |   1 |    0x21 | 0x00
         61019 |        6 |   0 |    0x21 | 0x00
         61169 |        6 |   1 |    0x21 | 0x00
         70112 |        7 |   0 |    0x21 | 0x00
         70262 |        7 |   1 |    0x21 | 0x00
         84187 |        8 |   0 |    0x21 | 0x00
         84337 |        8 |   1 |    0x21 | 0x00
         96017 |        9 |   0 |    0x21 | 0x00
         96167 |        9 |   1 |    0x21 | 0x00
        115492 | lead-out |   1 |    0x01 | 0x00
      
20:02:24      #14 Text 0 File SCSIPassThrough.cpp, Line 36
      SPTILockVolume - completed successfully for FCTL_LOCK_VOLUME
      
20:02:24      #15 Phase 36 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1725
      Burn process started at 32x (4,800 KB/s)
      
20:02:24      #16 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2685
      Verifying disc position of item 0 (relocatable, no disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #0
      
20:02:24      #17 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2685
      Verifying disc position of item 1 (relocatable, no disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #13782
      
20:02:24      #18 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2685
      Verifying disc position of item 2 (relocatable, no disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #27205
      
20:02:24      #19 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2685
      Verifying disc position of item 3 (relocatable, no disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #39225
      
20:02:24      #20 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2685
      Verifying disc position of item 4 (relocatable, no disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #51727
      
20:02:24      #21 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2685
      Verifying disc position of item 5 (relocatable, no disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #61169
      
20:02:24      #22 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2685
      Verifying disc position of item 6 (relocatable, no disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #70262
      
20:02:24      #23 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2685
      Verifying disc position of item 7 (relocatable, no disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #84337
      
20:02:24      #24 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2685
      Verifying disc position of item 8 (relocatable, no disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #96167
      
20:02:24      #25 Text 0 File MMC.cpp, Line 16932
      StartDAO : CD-Text - On
      
20:02:24      #26 Text 0 File MMC.cpp, Line 17165
      CueData, Len=160
      21 00 00 41 00 00 00 00
      21 01 00 00 00 00 00 00
      21 01 01 00 00 00 02 00
      21 02 00 00 00 03 03 39
      21 02 01 00 00 03 05 39
      21 03 00 00 00 06 02 37
      21 03 01 00 00 06 04 37
      21 04 00 00 00 08 2b 00
      21 04 01 00 00 08 2d 00
      21 05 00 00 00 0b 1d 34
      21 05 01 00 00 0b 1f 34
      21 06 00 00 00 0d 23 2c
      21 06 01 00 00 0d 25 2c
      21 07 00 00 00 0f 24 3e
      21 07 01 00 00 0f 26 3e
      21 08 00 00 00 12 2c 25
      21 08 01 00 00 12 2e 25
      21 09 00 00 00 15 16 11
      21 09 01 00 00 15 18 11
      01 aa 01 01 00 19 29 43
      
20:02:51      #27 SPTI -1135 File SCSIPassThrough.cpp, Line 323
      D: CdRom0: SCSIStatus(x02) WinError(0) NeroError(-1135)
      Sense Key:  0x03 (KEY_MEDIUM_ERROR)
      Sense Code: 0x0C
      Sense Qual: 0x00
      CDB Data:   0x2A 00 FF FF F5 4B 00 02 AA 00 00 00
      Sense Area: 0x70 00 03 00 00 00 00 0A 00 00 00 00 0C
      Buffer x09a10000: Len xffc0
      0x20 00 20 12 00 04 39 25 1A 16 30 20 14 36 15 24
      0x18 16 2D 21 08 0F 12 1E 20 00 20 13 03 02 34 20
      0x12 06 05 30 1C 07 24 20 10 26 25 32 1D 08 21 2D
      
20:02:51      #28 CDR -1135 File Writer.cpp, Line 302
      Write error
      D: TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SDR5372V
      
20:02:51      #29 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 228
      all writers idle, stopping conversion
      
20:02:51      #30 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 222
      conversion idle, stopping reader
      
20:02:51      #31 Phase 38 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1725
      Burn process failed at 32x (4,800 KB/s)
      
20:02:51      #32 Text 0 File AudioCompilationImpl.cpp, Line 867
      DRM: DRM burn session terminated.
      
20:02:51      #33 Text 0 File AudioCompilationImpl.cpp, Line 896
      DRM: Closing entire DRM handling. Bye.
      

Existing drivers:
File 'Drivers\PXHELP20.SYS': Ver=2.03.28a, size=20640 bytes, created 05/12/2005 06:12:26 (Prassi/Veritas driver for win 2K)
File 'Drivers\InCDfs.SYS': Ver=5, 0, 0, 4, size=101760 bytes, created 14/10/2005 13:00:36 (InCD4 driver for win NT/2K/XP)
File 'Drivers\InCDpass.SYS': Ver=5, 0, 0, 4, size=29440 bytes, created 14/10/2005 13:01:56 (InCD4 driver for win NT/2K/XP)
File 'Drivers\InCDrec.SYS': Ver=5, 0, 0, 4, size=8704 bytes, created 14/10/2005 13:00:32 (InCD4 driver for win NT/2K/XP)

Registry Keys:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\AllocateCDROMs : 0 (Security Option)

I think the firmware upgrade gave you a better match between you drive & media -- but the media simply writes better at slower speeds (8x).   That's not uncommon.

So ... your CD writing issue is resolved; but if you're still having other issues I'd agree that a reload is not a bad idea.   Takes a bit of time, but is often the best way to get a nice clean system.

Wellllllllll ... it used to work on & off in the first place, the very first CD I burned worked fine, not sure I want to go down the beermat production line again though <s> !!!

Anyway, I'm definitely going to re-install windows & put a new floppy drive in ... yes, it takes an age, but just for once I want everything to work !!!

Thanks for all your help & suggestions & I'm sure that they'll help other people in the long term as well, cheers ...

Just a suggestion for the re-install:

Read what I wrote here:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21582113/How-should-I-setup-a-new-DELL-desktop-to-make-it-easy-to-recover-problems-that-I-might-encounter.html

You don't have to use two hard drives (it's a good idea though); but if you don't, partition the 1st with a modest size system partition (20GB is plenty); and the rest for a 2nd "drive".   Then ... as you're installing, do an IMAGE of your system every once-in-a-while during the installation process (keep it on the 2nd "drive").   Then if you "mess up" you can recover to the last image -- and not have to start over.   When you're all done, take a final image -- and then you can always restore your disk to that state.

If you organize the system as I suggested in the link, your data will not be in the system partition; so a restore at any time will have NO impact on your data :-)