PLEASE PLEASE HELP WITH DVDSHRINK?

[golfnut]

When using DVDShrink to backup a DVD movie to my hard drive DVDShrink keeps hanging up or stopping. When it does this it locks up my computer to the point I have to reboot. Sometimes it does it in the deep analysis stage and other times during the encoding stage, no ryhme or reason. Sometimes it will stop or hang up around 10-12%, other times it may be 80-90%, again no rhyme or reason. There are no other programs running in the background, not even my screensaver which I turn off when using DVDShrink. I have tried using the last 4 different versions of Shrink and this problem occurs with every one of them so it must be something with my computer but I have no problems with any other type of DVD backup software whatsoever, only DVDShrink. OS is XP Home Ed. Can someone, anyone tell me how I can fix this problem. I would really, really appreciate everyone's suggestions. Thank you.

[redwudz]

Back to the basics. Encoding and transcoding are CPU intensive. Can you encode with say, TMPGEnc with no problems? The reason I ask is the most common problems that cause lockup and reboot are, CPU overheat or bad memory modules and possibly power supply problems. If heavy CPU or memory intensive programs are not a problem, then software is the next thing to look at. You can use Task Manager to check your CPU and memory usage. Another remote possibility is a virus, but you probably have a competent virus program. Other thoughts; Has it always done this or is it recent? If recent, then you could do a restore. That's about all I can come up with, maybe others have some ideas.

[golfnut]

redwudz thank you for the reply and advice. Task manager shows CPU usage at 46% while DVDShrink is running with no other problems running period. I have a good grade PC3200 DDR 512 memory chip so don't think that is the problem. Processor is AMD Athlon XP 2400. I use Norton Anti Virus, it has always done this ever since I have tried to use DVD Shrink. I have tried 3 different versions of Shrink and all do the same that's why I think it must be my computer but I have no clue what because my computer runs great and fast with everything I do with this exception. Going nuts trying to figure this out.

[mob]

try ripping the dvd to the hard drive first with Dvd decrypter.

then load it off the hard drive in dvd shrink and then do the transcoding/deep analyisis and all that. It will be alot faster and smoother.

[johns0]

Try disabling nortons while you use dvdshrink,ive seen nortons do the worst things to customers computers such as rebooting and totally thrashing the screen display.

[Gritz]

I think redwudz and johns0 hit the most likely. Try taking off the side cover first to reduce the heat, then check the cpu temp if you have a utility, (if not put your finger on the side of the heat sink - which may not be the best method ... but it gives you a reference point), then swapping memory out, then disabling Norton (Norton has hosed me a few times), then swapping out the PS. And of course undo any overclocking that you might have.

[jackmac]

Hey Golfnut,

I am experiencing the same problem as you. My dvd srhink (2 versions) would freeze at certain intervals during the encoding process. Sometimes it would just stop at 100%. I don't have norton either so not really sure what is going on.
JACK

[lacywest]

Maybe another hard drive would help ... instead of just one big 80 gigger.

[golfnut]

First of all let me thank those who have replied with their suggestions, I really appreciate your taking time to try and help me. Secondly if a software program is this "picky" that I have to go to some of the lengths you have suggested then I do not need it, regardless of how good it may be. As I said before have absolutely no problem running any other program in the world. By the way I do have a new 400 watt power supply so do not think that is the problem either. I guess I will just give up on DVD Shrink as much as I hate to. Again thanks guys for trying to help, guess I am just not going to be able to correct the problem.

[Sam Ontario]

........... By the way I do have a new 400 watt power supply so do not think that is the problem either. ..........

I guess you have bad thermal paste between the fan heat sink and the cpu. Clean both surfaces and apply new thermal paste.

[mazinz]

norton (or any) anti virus uses a lot of system resources and can greatly slow things down, disable the virus scan when you use shrink and everything should be ok. if you fear it may be also due to overheating, remove the side panel from your pc while shrink is going or get more internal fans

[FOO]

You might get into the bios setup and slow the CPU down.
That eliminates heat and marginal timing.

[corrax]

I have similar problems when I try to rip with my Sony DVD-ROM drive. Doesn't matter what program I use. Sometimes it just hangs the program, and I can see that both the hard drive and the DVD-ROM lights are steady on. It doesn't happen all the time, but it definitely happens way too often. When I use my burner, it works every time. I figure that there is just something wrong with my other drive, but I'm too cheap to go out and by a replacement.

Just something to think about...

corrax

[mazinz]

Golfnut,
are you positive that no other programs are running? Just because you do not see their icon on the bottom right doesnt mean that they are not running. To really see what may be going follow this:

hit start, then select run, then type in (without the quotes) "msconfig"

in that first general tab you see, check the box "selective startup"

Then click the "startup" tab (one all the way on the right) and see what applications have check marks on them. If anything is running that you do not want to run, uncheck them. You will then have to restart the pc. Once you do, those apps will no longer be running in the background. Their can be quite a few here that are running that you normally would not see otherwise. This can help with pc speed and performance as well

[timmyp]

I had a problem exactly like this and, in my case, the problem was an overheating CPU.

I downloaded MotherBoard Monitor (google for it) to see what was happening. During encoding, I could see the temperature rising, and at about 78-79 degress celsius, the machine would lock up every time.

Upon some investigation, I finally figured out that some dust had built up in the heat sink over the CPU and was apparently clogging up the heat dissipation. I blew it clean and presto! No more overheating problem.

Might want to open your case and see what the dust situation is in yours.

Good luck.