Yes, yes, I know, I should go search the forum, since many other people have this problem. Well, I did. I even attempted to get an answer a while (few months) ago, but nobody could help.

Well, My NEC-5800 16x DVD-ROM drive used to rip at 8-12x speed on dual-layered DVD-9's. Now (and for the last few months), it starts at 2x, goes up to 6 max, then goes back down.

1: It's on Ultra DMA Mode 2
2: Yes I uninstalled/reinstalled the IDE channel
3: It's set on master
4: My DVD-burner has the same exact speed pattern (starts at 2, goes to 6, then goes back down).

5: I have to HD's, I'm ripping to the 160gb one (which is less than 30% full)

6: I'm using both DVD Decryptor and Smartripper
7: Yes I upgraded firmware.
8: Yes I have latest ASPI drivers installed

Anyone...have any ideas...at all?