I simply can't copy a DVD!!! Please help

[hyquality]

I have tried SO MANY different dvd ripping/burning programs out there, with NO success. I have created over 50 coasters by now. Every time I try DVDShrink 3.2 and it analyzes the disc when i first open it up, my whole computer just freezes up and i have to manually unplug it and turn it back on. No error messages at all!! I actually also tried using v3.0b5 and it worked the first time (I copied my Spiderman 2 WITHOUT deep scan) and then tried copying a DVD again and the same thing happens. Now, whether deep scan or not, it always freezes. Its definitely NOT a cpu heating issue or bad ram, because i tested for both. I already have all of the latest drivers for all hardware etc. on my computer. i also hve DMA enabled on the DVD burner. I tried uninstalling and re-installing several times with no luck. With other programs (ie. CloneDVD2), it always fails to complete the burning at some point or other, or just freezes my PC like with DVDShrink. Any ideas?

P4 3.0 GHZ (not overclocked)
1gb PC3200 DDR RAM
80GB HD
NU 8x DVDR/RW drive
Using several different brands of media (8x)
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro
DirectX 9.0c
WinXP Pro SP2 (it was NOT working even before I upgraded to SP2)
SB Live! X Gamer sound card

Programs I've tried:
AnyDVD
DVD43
Nero
DVDxCopy Platinum
CloneDVD
DVDCloner
Intervideo DVDCopy
DVDShrink
DVDDecrypter

Also, whenever I am ripping a DVD (no matter which program I use), I have never seen it read faster than 2.1x (even though I have a 8x burner)... what's up with that??

[Capmaster]

Try reinstalling the OS if nothing else works. Back up your data files, then reformat/repartition the HD from scratch. Then do a fresh OS install.

[bazooka]

Edit

[MrMoody]

It could still be overheating, DVDShrink puts a huge load on the processor. How did you test it? Got a temperature monitor program? Computer full of dust? Stuck in a cabinet where it can't breathe? All the fans working?

As for your 2nd question, most drives these days are locked in firmware not to read commercial DVDs faster than 2X. You need hacked firmware to fix it.

[Bob W]

First look in windows "device manager" and confirm that all your hard drives and disc drives are operating in "DMA" mode.

My gut guess is that you have an ASPI layer problem so download and run ForceASPI from the tools section of this site.

[hyquality]

thanks guys.

I tested it with a temp. program and all fans are working properly. It is not stored in a desk cabinet or anything...

Where could I find hacked firmware to get it to read @ 8x?

DMA is already on for all drives...

[bazooka]

thanks guys.

I tested it with a temp. program and all fans are working properly. It is not stored in a desk cabinet or anything...

Where could I find hacked firmware to get it to read @ 8x?

DMA is already on for all drives...

You could try www.rpc1.org

[Bob W]

I use a LiteON DVD drive to do any ripping simly because it is not locked at 2X. This OptoRite DVD burner is not locked FYI and I have seen rip speeds as high as 15X with this drive.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-182-025&depa=0

[hyquality]

Bazooka - thanks for the site... i'll give it a try.

For my drive, the site said the following: "No RPC-1 firmware yet. To make your drive region free, you can use DVD Region+CSS Free.
RPC-2"

What does RPC-1 and RPC-2 mean?? I'm a newbie when it comes to terminology.

[hyquality]

nevermind that last question - i dont think this is a region issue.

But still - my computer should NOT be freezing all over the place. I have 7 or 8 ripping/burning programs installed on my computer. Do you think that the drivers could be conflicting with eachother?

[bazooka]

RPC stands for region playback control.

What is RPC? RPC stands for Region Playback Control. RPC divides the
world into eight regions and potentially denies you the right to play
back DVD discs from all but one of these regions. RPC comes in two
flavors; software control (RPC Phase I / RPC1) and hardware control
(RPC Phase II / RPC2). RPC1 is enforced by the DVD player software,
while RPC2 is enforced by both the software and by the DVD drive
itself.

With RPC2 drives you are allowed to change the region five times,
after which the drive region is permanently set. The drive vendor may
reset the user region counter thus unlocking the permanent state,
however this is also normally limited to five times.

[hyquality]

I don't think RPC is crashing my computer. Why would it work 1 time and not 50 other times?

[bazooka]

Bad discs?

[hyquality]

nope, i've tried several different brands/types of media. And it crashes BEFORE I even get to write the new DVD.... Just analysing the original DVD makes my computer freeze/crash.

[jimmalenko]

But still - my computer should NOT be freezing all over the place. I have 7 or 8 ripping/burning programs installed on my computer. Do you think that the drivers could be conflicting with eachother?

Shouldn't make a difference - I have about 5 different ripping/transcoding programs installed on mine with no apparent ill-effects.


In answer to your problem, I think we need a process of elimination. Although not explicitly written, as I understand it, you have no problems just ripping a DVD to your hard drive with DVD Decrypter ? (If you ever have problems with DVDDecrypter, smartripper is my 2nd favorite)

[hyquality]

DVDDecrypter has been more successful for me than DVDSHrink. I've only froze once with decrypter (out of 3-4 times).

[jameshgross]

Have you checked the system log for errors. There is something in your system causing this problem.
Use Spybot or Ad-Aware to locate and remove spyware.
Use Hijackthis to do a dump of processes running on the computer. If you do not have the skills to analyze the problem post the log on TechSupportGuy web site.
Get a good diagnostic program and run the memory and system tests. You could have a bad memory location.
There is always a reason for such problems, finding it can be a little difficult.

[hyquality]

no errors in the log...

No spyware...

I will test the hardware again, but I dont know what it could be.

[Nelson37]

ISOLATE and IDENTIFY.

From what you have described, it sounds like you are freezing during various operations, with several programs. However, there does seem to be a common thread that whether analysing, or burning, the DVD drive is in use. Can you verify this is correct?

Use DVDDecrytper to rip to the HD, then run DVDshrink on the HD files. Try using one of your backups, just copy the files in Explorer. Do this with several disks, run the analysis several times. If this works, then it sounds like the problem lies is analysing or burning on the DVD drive.

How old is the drive? Warranty, RMA a possibility?

As for the BIOS flash - make NO such changes until you have verified what the current problem is, and then only if returning the drive is not available.

[hyquality]

the drive, and computer, are brand new. I just bought the system (custom built) 3 months ago, but just started using the burner this month.

It really is so sporatic that it may be VERY difficult to isolate...

[Nelson37]

If you have burnt 50 coasters in less than 3 months, it can't be that sporadic.

Could you answer the key question posed, ie "do all the lockups (or even most of them) occur when the DVD drive is in use???".

[hyquality]

yes

[handyguy]

"NU 8x DVDR/RW drive " What is that?

Did you ask meritline.com what media works with it?

[Nelson37]

Bingo!

Go back to your "custom builder" and request replacement of this drive. While your at it, get a new IDE cable as well. Simply relating the problem scenario you have had, with the key info that with different softwares, you have experienced numerous lockups while both reading AND burning disks, ALL lockups occurring when the DVD drive is in use and no lockups otherwise, should be sufficient.

I assume you have already checked DMA settings, but even with a problem here it should not be locking up. Worth re-seating the IDE cable on both ends, also the power connector - try a different one.

[MOVIEGEEK]

It sounds like the drive is defective.
Can you rip and burn a CD?
How is the drive connected?Make sure it's set as Master on secondary IDE channel.

[hyquality]

thanks nelson!