Is My Problem Hardware of Software??

[lbeck]

I’m having a devil of a time with my DVD burner. It is a Panasonic LF-D521. It began several months ago with very inconsistent results when burning DVD-RW. I tried switching brands but that didn’t help. I then got the bright idea to update my aging 5.5 Nero software to ver 6.6.0.3. Not only did my -RW problems not improve, but I began having significant problems burning DVD-Rs. After some frustration, I uninstalled my Nero 6 and reinstalled 5.5. Unfortunately, the problems didn’t go away and have actually gotten worse. I generally get a Nero error message “SCSI Target Error” or “unspecified target error." The inability to write has been worse with -RWs than Rs and I have occasionally been able to burn a good R after a failed RW attempt on the same files. This has caused me to make a dozen or so -R coasters in my attempts since the error problem is inconsistent and I keep trying with my fingers crossed. My success rate has diminished to about 25%.

The only other software that I have to burn DVDs is Pinnacle Studio 9. This is a little better since it usually won’t start the burning process if it senses a problem, and I am getting significant “Disk Burning Failed” errors but can recover the blank.

I have looked several times at the hardware using Device Manager and it says that the burner is working properly. I’ve used Nero’s InfoTool and it doesn’t indicate any problems. I have all the updated firmware (Ver 109) and device drivers installed from the Panasonic website. I’ve contacted Nero with an on-line form for support and got a generic message to check my hardware connections and that I may need to replace my DVD Burner.

At this point, I’m just trying to determine if I have a hardware or a software problem. I’m thinking that the burner is communicating with my computer (i.e., it’s not a cable problem) since I can burn CDs fine. However, I did open my case and unplug/re-plug the cables to be sure.

Another clue is that Windows Explorer sometimes recognizes the DVD in the burner and sometimes not (indicating that the drive is empty). Of course, I only try to burn a blank when Explorer is recognizing DVD’s in the drive.

I’m not beyond replacing my drive, but I don’t want to replace the drive and find that my problems were software related and don’t improve with the new unit. I replaced a HDD a year or so ago and found that my problems were software related. At least then, I was able to continue using the old drive. I have no need for redundant burners.

Is there some diagnostic software that will determine whether my problems are software or hardware related? Any other suggestions for diagnosing my problems?

Thanks.

[blinky88]

I started to backup my DVD's about 12 months ago. At first I did experience some problems because my burner was installed in an external USB2 enclosure. Having the burner in that enclosure caused many coasters, I do not think that External USB problem (SCSI abort command) has been overcome to date. It was only writing 1k lead in and then SCSI command abort. I removed the burner from the external enclosure and installed it in my tower. That move has overcome all of my problems.

I have a Pioneer 106D Burner and now have no problems at all using the following method.

1. Use Shrink to re-author and backup to a single ISO file.
2. Then burn with DVD Decriptor. (both applications are free)

Your drive should be formatted NTFS to enable you to create a single ISO file using DVD Shrink, then burn with DVD Decrypter. If your drive is formatted Fat32 then you will need to split the ISO images into 1 gig files and then burn with DVD Decrypter.

No coasters, no skips or freezes and a backup that is hard pick from the original DVD, more importantly, I use the cheapest DVD media I can find which at this time are 4X-R Princo which are considered rubbish by many members of this site.

[lbeck]

Thanks for the tips, blinky.

I have/use shrink and decryptor, but never in the fashion that you describe. I usually use decryptor to remove encryption then use shrink to reduce the total files to < 4.7G. I'll try creating the iso file then decryptor to burn.

I got impatient waiting for a reply and went ahead and ordered a new burner - should be delivered in a week or so.

I'd love to have shrink/decryptor resolve the problems with my existing burner. I'll keep the new one in case burning problems arise again. The cost is well worth it to avoid the frustration. I've probably spent 10-20 hours troubleshooting and burned ~ 25 coasters.

I'll try to remember to post here when I get the problem resolved.

[lbeck]

Thanks Blinky.

Your method worked, with some minor modifications. Actually, I didn't need Shrink at all. What I did was to use DVD Decryptor to make the ISO file and also to burn it. The DVD that I've been trying to copy was only about 4 GB.

Great advice. I may never use Nero for burning DVDs again.

[Bodyslide]

Nero is good for burning data IMO.

[lbeck]

Yeah.

I think the take-home message is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." I was doing good with Nero until I upgraded, and I'm still not sure if that caused my problems..However, with limited experience (one burn) I'm now burning coasters with Nero and good stuff with Decrypter