Writer has slowed to over 1 hour to burn a dvd

[havn't a clue]

I have a Presario SR1350NX computer w/Wix XP Home OS. It has a 3.02GHZ Intel Proccessor, 1.496G of Ram, 200Ghz HD. The DVD writer I am using is the HP 640 DVD Reader/Writer w/16x writing capability.

The problem I am having is that it is taking me more than 1 hour to burn a dvd ISO file and 30 to 40 mins to write a data disk. Both of these use to take only minutes. I have used Nero, Sonic, and DVD DeCryptor and get the same results. I have not installed any new software or hardware. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the writer drivers. I have searched for firmware updates. I have run PC Doctor and the writer passed all of the test for dvd drives.

Can some one please tell me if there are other tests I can do to for the writer that can help diagnose problems or better yet, resolve the problem I am having?

Thank you in advance.

[havn't a clue]

One more thing. When buring a dvd, the status of the burn indicates that the write speed is 8X (11,063Kbs). The progress (Time Remaing) goes to 0.00 after about 16 mins and stays that way until the final 16 mins, where it starts to countdown again.

[junkmalle]

Check the DMA settings for both the hard drive(s) and the DVD writer.

Right click on My Computer, select Manage -> Device Manager -> IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers -> Double click on Primary IDE Channel -> Advanced Settings. Make sure the devices are set to "DMA if Available". Do the same for the Secondard IDE Channel if you have drives there.

[havn't a clue]

Ok. Did as you suggested and this is what I found: 2 Primary IDE Channel

1st Primary IDE Channel

Device 0: Device type: gryed out
Transfer Mode: DMA if available
Curent Transfer Mode: Ultra DMA Mode 5

Device 1: Device Type: Auto Detection
Transfer Mode: DMA if available
Current Transfer Mode: Not Applicable

2nd Primary IDE Channel

Device 0: Device Type: gryed out
Transfer Mode: DMA if available
Current Transfer Mode: PIO Mode (there is no selection choices, nor can I manually change this setting from this area)

Device 1: Device type: gryed out
Transfer Mode: DMA if available
Current Transfer Mode: Ultra DMA Mode 2

If you see something else, please tell me more.

Thanks in advance.

[junkmalle]

Primary channel device 0 is probably drive C. Do you know which device is your DVD writer on the secondary channel? If it's the one that's running in PIO mode that's probably the problem. Windows XP will automatically reduce the transfer mode from DMA to PIO if it has trouble reading from the device (which could be caused simply by a scratched disc).

If the DVD writer is the one running in Ultra DMA mode 2, what's the device in PIO mode? An old CD-ROM or something? You could try physically removing it. Some old PIO drives interfere with other drives on the same cable running in DMA mode.

You can try uninstalling the secondary IDE channel device driver. When Windows reboots it will reinstall the driver. This usually fixes PIO/DMA problems.

[budz]

The easiest thing to do is if you have NERO burn, use the NERO INFO TOOL which will give you the setup of your optical drives. Save the image then post it here. That way we'll have a better idea of how your optical drives are set up.

If your dvd burner is the one on PIO MODE that is probably why it's taking you so long to burn a dvd. PIO MODE will only allow 1-2x speed.

[budz]

http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6645
the above link is PROBLEMS ENABLING DMA IN XP.

http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=7625
this one is on HOW TO ENABLE DMA IN XP

[havn't a clue]

Ok guys. Thanks for the info. I'll do as you suggest and get back to you with the results.

[redwudz]

I'm going to assume your DVD writer is on the secondary channel as master. If so, it's set to PIO. If you uninstall the secondary channel and let Windows reinstall it, that's the usual fix.

As far as testing, SiSandra can test your drives, though since you have Nero, try their toolkit. CD-DVD Speed and Nero Drive Speed.

EDIT: You guys are too quick, good advice, though.

[havn't a clue]

Thanks guys for all the help. Got it resolved by uninstalling the IDE channel device driver the was showing PIO Mode, restarting, going back to that IDE channel and changing to DMA if available. BaDam!!! Back to
8 1/2 mins.

Thanks for all the help!!!!

[junkmalle]

Congrats!