Had it up to here with Windoze...

[Nilfennasion]

Readers may recall when I asked for some advice about upgrading my computer to get more out of it, specifically smoother burns. The upgrade seemed to go alright, but the annoying thing is that when it is burning a disc, it seems to perform even worse than it used to!

Lately, my computer has been seized by wild bursts of pointless disc activity whenever I am burning an image to disc. Doesn't matter what's open at the time, if I am burning a DVD, I can expect the processor to suddenly seize up the hard drive in a wild burst of grinding. Which wouldn't be so bad, except that the writing speed of DVDDecrypter also wildly varies up and down until the disc activity stops. Usually, it does this at least five times per burn.

I don't know exactly what is doing this or why, but I've just about decided to leave behind the massive footprints of Windoze and try something else. I am even in the process of downloading the CD images for Mandrake Linux. But in the meantime, is there any kind of configuration trick I can use to make Windoze let me burn at a mere third of my drive's capability and actually get peak speed all the way through?

[DVD_Ripper]

Specs are good... check to make sure cabling is good on DVD burner and Hard drives ... what is your IDE cabling configuration? Primary vs Secondary and Master vs Slave?

[smearbrick1]

I had the same problem. I went into the msconfig and got rid of any program that didn't need to be running. I followed this with removal of Norton Antivirus (prone to running viruscans at the most inopportune time). I also turned off indexing on my hard drives. All of this seemed to make everything work so much faster.

[Nilfennasion]

The cabling all seems to be connected properly. I am adding a second hard drive soon-ish, so I will have another look inside the box soon.

My DVD burner is the only drive connected to the secondary IDE port, and is obviously configured as a master. The existing hard drive is connected in a similar fashion to the primary IDE port. I've tried different memory management settings, but they don't seem to be working well, either. I wouldn't normally be this ticked off with Windoze if I could find a logical explanation for the problem.

[Jayhawk]

smearbrick1 comments are worth implementing. I've found the biggest speed drawbacks to XP are indexing, system restore, and the number of unneeded processes runiing in the background. Auto updates are a killer (anti-virus, Windows Updates). Norton and McAfee are excelllent examples of a "system hogs", particulairly when they are doing their scheduled scans.

For processes, I suggest you check out www.blackviper.com

The man describes every process and what is does, and in most cases whether you need it or not.

Some of your disk activity could be due to the single hard drive, even though it's partitioned. Ripping to C: and going C: to D: plus workfiles, temp areas all involve the same physical hard drive. Not to mention the paging file if you have a lot of programs / processes running. I would expect a second drive would solve a lot of problems.

[dphirschler]

I had the same problem. I went into the msconfig and got rid of any program that didn't need to be running. I followed this with removal of Norton Antivirus (prone to running viruscans at the most inopportune time). I also turned off indexing on my hard drives. All of this seemed to make everything work so much faster.

Hey, would you mind outlining the steps in "turning off indexing"? I think I might be experiencing problems related to this.


Darryl

[gitreel]

Start Menu
Run
Type in msconfig

Goto services tab

Uncheck the indexing service and apply and reboot.

[chobo321321]

Here's a list of things you can do:

- Close all your programs and services down (everything)
- defrag your drives
- optimize your swap file (put it on a separate partition (worst place to have it is on your C: )
- Check if some program is kicking when your burning (defrag programs usually do this)
- Check to see if you have faulty ram (programs that make you create a boot disk and work from dos are best)
- Maybe your writer is the problem
- Your CPU might be running too hot
- Go download a spyware program and remove the 1001 spyware programs from your computer
- Scan for viruses
- Make sure all your partitions are NTFS
- Download all the latest firmware, bios updates, drivers for hardware, and windows (very important) - that includes ms updates
- double-check your cableing (if possible try to make your DVD drive the only drive on the channel, and set it to master of course. Might not be possible if you have a few hard drives that are ATA (thats why I like SATA))
- dont overclock you computer
- use default bios settings (especially for memory timing)

If you go through all that and it still happens then I'm going to assume 1 or more of your hardware components is faulty, or not plugged in properly. As much as people hate Windows and would like to blame it for everything it's usually not the case. In all my experiences it has been faulty hardware. One more thing, does your computer freeze up doing anything else? Or is just when you burn DVD's?

[Nilfennasion]

I've turned off indexing, and so far all is well. When I next burn something, I'm sure I will have a real problem, but oh well.

As much as people hate Windows and would like to blame it for everything it's usually not the case.

I suggest having a read of http://www.euronet.nl/users/frankvw/rants/microsoft/IhateMS.html. The problem this guy describes with return on investment is exactly what I was experiencing. When I pay over $500 to boost my computer's performance, I tend to expect it to be able to burn DVDs at 12X like it says on the box, not give me major doubts about its ability to do 4X.

Most of these suggestions have already been implemented on my system. I've also used the most effective way of dealing with Windoze random pointless disk activity (ie setting the virtual memory so the amount of space used can't be varied up and down). I am puzzled as to why this random disc activity is occurring, and it only occurs when burning a DVD so far.[/url]

[adam]

I am puzzled as to why this random disc activity is occurring, and it only occurs when burning a DVD so far.

That makes me think that Windows is the absolute least likely culprit of this problem. If it only happens when you burn, then I'd assume the problem would be with something that is rarely used except when burning. Don't rule out a problem with the drive.

What aspi layer do you have installed? If you are using Roxio's piece of crap that could cause problems. Get forceaspi and use it to remove whatever you got and install the one it uses.

Try increasing the buffer in DVD Decryptor as well.

Have you tried burning with something else just to test?

I seriously doubt your problem has anything to do with your os if you've just done a fresh install.

[Nilfennasion]

I definitely don't have Roxio's ASPI layer installed. Given that they, to me, are basically Adaptec under another name, I'd probably have to have it invade my hard drive as a virus before I'd get it on there.

It isn't just the DVD burning that causes the pointless disk activity, but it is almost always timed in the middle of burns. Other occasions when I have had the hard drive seize up include during downloads, or when I am loading something in Netscape (surprise, surprise). But 99 out of 100 of these bursts are during a disc burning.

I'm still downloading some ISO images for Mandrake Linux, so everything is going a bit slow at the moment.

[chobo321321]

There is one of two things things I can see wrong with it.

1. Faulty Hardware (could be anything) - Did you put your computer together yourself?

2. Faulty Drivers (most likely motherboard related)

Good luck with Linux, I hope it fixes the problem for ya. As for that link you posted I'm not even going to bother reading it. The title of the html file "IhateMS.html" sounds like it's just some bias articles that can't be taken seriously.

I'm no windows lover, but most of the time the problem has nothing to do with windows, and people jump right on the "Windows is crap" bandwagon.

[Nilfennasion]

The hardware definitely isn't faulty, because I've been testing and working with it for some time now without a problem (apart from this one, that is). I will try to investigate the driver issue and see what that turns up, of course.

A cyberjournalist I often agree with once wrote that one must beware the man who dismisses your point of view without addressing your argument. When I read that URL, I found a lot of it spoke volumes to me. I've been in front of a computer since I was six years old, and I distinctly remember all the bizarre predictions that have been made about how these devices would accelerate and improve our lives. To say that I am bitterly disappointed is putting it mildly. Even when the PC revolution was still in the early stages, it took far less time and hardware to do tasks than it does now. My other primary motivator for investigating Linux is that I write a lot, and MS Word is in the terminal stages of feature bloat. Hence, the package of Corel Linux with Corel Wordperfect seems quite attractive to me.

The article should be viewed more as a debate-style argument. The man puts forth a lot of points that cannot be so easily dismissed without rebuttal, and makes a good case as to why Microsoft simply cannot be trusted with our technological future. I've been in the game long enough to have seen Windows 3.0's lack of performance, so it is not like I made the decision to switch into a new system lightly.

Having said all that, I don't anticipate Linux will be all roses. I will doubtless be trading one problem for another, but that's alright with me because I want to take back control of my computer, and responsibility for the results, so to speak.

On a final note, the switching-off of disc indexing as originally suggested by smearbrick seems to have at least reduced the amount of random disc activity. But that doesn't dissaude me from the migration anyway.

[vitualis]

Personally, I've tried migrating to Linux on two occasions and on both, I returned to Windows...

Linux isn't as smooth to use as Windows and there is a lack of applications that I actually use.

IMHO, Wordperfect doesn't hold a candle to MS Office. What problems do you have with MS Word anyway? It runs faster or as fast compared to every other comparable Word processor, has more features but doesn't obscure the ordinary "everyday features" (unlike OpenOffice). Sure, it takes quite a bit of HDD space but in these days where HDD are 100+ Gb, is it really a problem?

Best regards.

[Nilfennasion]

Well, I can't imagine that everyone experiences the same software in the same way. But I've grown tired of having to constantly format and reinstall, or race around in a panic every time some security leak is discovered. The forced upgrading has just got to stop.

There was also a fundamental lack of applications for Windows when it first rolled out, so I'm not surprised there, either.

The problems I have with Word are numerous, but the most irritating of the lot is how it can never make up its mind what language settings to apply to the documents I create. On one page, it seems to insist on using the American spelling of armour, and then on the next, it goes with the UK spelling. In a document that has over 150,000 words in it, this is just plain unacceptable.

Not to mention that the user interface is just plain inconsistent. Getting to the options to turn off certain features is like navigating a labyrinth. I can also think of several things I'd rather use my 100+ GB for.

[hech54]

This comment is NOT aimed at anybody specific but take it from a person I consider a computer novice compared to most people....ME.
What makes someone think that they know more about Windows than Microsoft? I bought my computer at "this" speed and performance because I was satisfied this "speed and performance vs. price".

That's like someone buying a brand new Honda Civic Si, modifying to get more horsepower by chipping it or changing the car's computer settings THEN 6 months later bitching to either Honda(in person) or badmouthing Honda on some message board somewhere about their car not passing emission inspections and no longer being covered by Honda's warranty.

I feel that my computer burns DVD's faithfully whenever I need a DVD because I don't muck with my computer. If it ain't broke....don't fix it.

[proxyx99]

Smearbrick1's suggestion is correct as well as follow-ups with regard to msconfig. If you did what they suggested you would know by now what is causing your problem. Go to msconfig and choose selective startup, uncheck "startup group" and reboot. Before you do that kill system restore on all logical drives for good (triggers unnecessary AV and indexing activity). I bet that this will solve your problem (just like booting in safe mode). There are no miracles here. I suggest unchecking "startup group" in selective startup instead of individually killing some of them. Reason: some virus/spyware/trojan processes/apps may still be running if you deselect items individually. Also, read through your processes in a typical startup environment and kill ones that don't belong here (in your opinion). In Win Task Manager processes tab check the application that takes over your CPU (highest %) at the moment your HDD goes bezirk (that you may do be4 anything, just to get a hint).

Btw. in most cases it is not the PC's or MS's fault, ...seems you know it already, it's the user (knowingly or unknowingly...)

[vitualis]

The problems I have with Word are numerous, but the most irritating of the lot is how it can never make up its mind what language settings to apply to the documents I create. On one page, it seems to insist on using the American spelling of armour, and then on the next, it goes with the UK spelling. In a document that has over 150,000 words in it, this is just plain unacceptable.

Firstly, don't select the language as "Australian English" -- either UK or US in your default template (as well as your preferred font type/size, margins, etc.) Once set, all settings will default to this.

As for your problem, I assume that you are doing a degree of cutting and pasting? Word inherits the "language" of the text you cut and paste if it is from another document.

The simplest way to reset the whole document is select the whole document (Ctrl + A) --> Tools --> Language --> Set Language. Simple.

Not to mention that the user interface is just plain inconsistent. Getting to the options to turn off certain features is like navigating a labyrinth

That is hardly a problem of Windows, however. I have far more problems turning on and off features (or finding them in the first place) on other Word processing suites like Open Office (which is available in Windows as well, BTW). Speaking of which, ALL the main word processing proggies are available on Windows in native form. I find it easy to turn on and off features in Word (go to options) and to customise the menus at will (right mouse click on a menu +/- drag and drop wanted/unwanted elements).

Best regards.

[deckard8]

MS Office also automatically installs a lot of little critters that startup at boot time and sap resources - Ctfmon being one. Now there is a way to uninstall this pest legitimately, I just can't remember how. Removing the tick from the startup tab in msconfig has no effect - it returns at the next boot up. I stopped it eventually by ending it's process with task manager and then renaming it.

[jimmalenko]

@Nilfennasion:
It seems that there are Microsoft Lovers and Microsoft haters.

You seem to be the latter.

If you don't like it, don't use it. No one is holding a gun to your head.

Good luck mastering all those products compatible with Linux

In all fairness, Microsoft can't be expected to cater for every single combination of PC out there, and inevitably there are going to be loopholes discovered. New technologies supersede old ones all the time.

[aslate]

Spybot Search and Destroy
Ad-Aware
Use the two, scan every-so-often and it'll help speed up your PC if you're the type that ends up collecting spyware.

[DVD_Ripper]

This comment is NOT aimed at anybody specific but take it from a person I consider a computer novice compared to most people....ME.
What makes someone think that they know more about Windows than Microsoft? I bought my computer at "this" speed and performance because I was satisfied this "speed and performance vs. price".

That's like someone buying a brand new Honda Civic Si, modifying to get more horsepower by chipping it or changing the car's computer settings THEN 6 months later bitching to either Honda(in person) or badmouthing Honda on some message board somewhere about their car not passing emission inspections and no longer being covered by Honda's warranty.

I feel that my computer burns DVD's faithfully whenever I need a DVD because I don't muck with my computer. If it ain't broke....don't fix it.

Here Here Hech54

[smearbrick1]

While I totally agree with the novice, I will have to state the following:

Is it too much to expect Windows to be able to adjust to our needs rather than "defaults" set by someone I will never probably meet in my lifetime?- I firmly believe, all bugs aside, that Windows is a great OS! That's right, I said it! That being said...it is, however, not a great OS out of the box (bag, can). Windows XP, for example, has several processes running that are not even necessary! The virtual memory management system is total crap, and in the first versions... you couldn't uninstall windows messenger! Obviously I am overlooking quite a bit.

After several weeks of tinkering with hardware issues and tweaking registry settings, I finally have Windows XP set up the way I want it to work. Unfortunately, I just bought a new PC and again begins the process of tweaking.

I realize, for the sake of simplicity, Microsoft sets defaults that they believe (or hope) benefit the average user. Unfortunately, they fail to recognize that those defaults are the reason you need 128 megs of ram just to run the OS!

P.S. I my opinion, MS Office is getting ridiculously bloated with each release. Remember when you could open MS Word 97 and not have to deal with that stupid freakin' toolbar thing on the right side of the screen?
(Yes, I know you can disable it, but it's another one of those ridiculous defaults.)

[hlse]

Have you turned on DMA.
I dont see anyone mentioning it ...

Also make SURE you have the proper drivers for your motherboard.

All in all, to me it seems as a problem with the databus ( hardware )

[hech54]

MS Office is getting ridiculously bloated with each release. Remember when you could open MS Word 97 and not have to deal with that stupid freakin' toolbar thing on the right side of the screen?
(Yes, I know you can disable it, but it's another one of those ridiculous defaults.)

Hell my favorite is MS Works and Notepad. All I want to do is type a letter, print it them snail mail it....and how often do we do that nowadays?

[chobo321321]

Before you go to Linux at least see what is causing the problem (just for curiositys sake). A post gave you the answer to finding your problem. Here is it is.

"In Win Task Manager processes tab check the application that takes over your CPU (highest %) at the moment your HDD goes bezirk (that you may do be4 anything, just to get a hint). "

In other words when you comp goes nuts, hit alt-crtl-delete go to processes look for a process that has a high number like 99.

[Nilfennasion]

Is it too much to expect Windows to be able to adjust to our needs rather than "defaults" set by someone I will never probably meet in my lifetime?

At last, someone has hit the nail on the head. In this year alone, I have had to reinstall Windows no less than three times, and on each occasion, it took several days to adjust the options in order to get the system performing the way I want it.

That, and the fact that Windows is deliberately designed to hog system resources in order to encourage buying more and more hardware with little, if any, return on investment, is what I'm so fed up with. Compared to the processors, RAM, and other specifications of the machines NASA use to land on the moon or gather images from sattelites, my PC should be able to send messages all the way to Proxima Centaurii and back.

Yet it takes me untold hours to type in a mere five pages of story simply because of all the times I have to remind Word about the accents I've already set a dozen times (Trór, not Tror, for example). I'm still trying to determine which language the author of the grammar checking system speaks, too.

As the author I've already linked to has eloquently put it, 32 kilobytes of RAM was enough to put men in the Apollo spacecraft on the moon. "An 80C85 CPU with 176 kilobytes of PROM and 576 kilobytes of RAM controlled the Sojourner rover that drove across the surface of Mars and sent us a wealth of scientific data and high-resolution images in full-color stereo." So why is everyone surprised that I'm a bit ticked off that my 2.09Ghz Athlon with 512MB of DDR RAM has a hissy fit when I ask it to write 4.20 GB of information to an optical disc at a mere 4X?? What's wrong with this picture?

Having said all that, I am trying all the solutions proposed here (if only because I've never heard them before). But this illustrates another major flaw in Windows' design. It is deliberately designed to make tweaking the system to perform decently an arduous task, and to make replacing the mediocre components with better ones seem more like hard labour. I guess the question is "Where the hell do you want to go today?".

[gitreel]

You could try Syllable.

http://www.syllable.org/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=1

http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=7900

[chobo321321]

As the author I've already linked to has eloquently put it, 32 kilobytes of RAM was enough to put men in the Apollo spacecraft on the moon. "An 80C85 CPU with 176 kilobytes of PROM and 576 kilobytes of RAM controlled the Sojourner rover that drove across the surface of Mars and sent us a wealth of scientific data and high-resolution images in full-color stereo." So why is everyone surprised that I'm a bit ticked off that my 2.09Ghz Athlon with 512MB of DDR RAM has a hissy fit when I ask it to write 4.20 GB of information to an optical disc at a mere 4X?? What's wrong with this picture?

I completely agree with you there... One of the downsides to PC's is that they have to have support for so many different pieces of hardware from so many different vendors. Whereas a PS2, or Apollo Spacecraft had software, and hardware specifically designed for it (still that can't justify your spacecraft example - thats just sad).

[timmyp]

Going back to your initial post and your description of DVD Decrypter slowing down and speeding up, and the drive (not sure which one) 'grinding'... I am leaning towards the possibility of a problem with the DVD or HDD Drive, and possibly the motherboard. Can't be sure, of course, without taking a look at it.....

Do you have any way of trying another burner? (Maybe a friends?)

Do you have SMART enabled on the HDD? If not, and assuming its SMART capable, turn it on and see if there are any warning messages during bootup.

Is there any support from your MB manufacturer in terms of a utility that can test the health of the board?

There is no reason with the speed and power of your computer that you should be experiencing this kind of issue simply from having a few extra services running. You can shut everything down, but I do not believe that will solve your problem. I would advise to focus on the hardware issue.