Error writting

[psxindo]

hi, I have the HP multidrive with lightscribe....
it was working perfectly at first, until about 2 months ago... it only write about 30%-70% and then stop, it said something about unable to write to sector (#)... i tried using different brand dvd r and cd r but still the same thing... sometimes it work, when it works it usually works all the time... but when it's not working, it doesn't work all the time... it ate up my blank dvds... i lost about 40 dvds already and a couple of cds... also i used many different software: copytoDVD, sonic, itunes, etc...
it seems all do the same thing... is my drive bad? Please Help... thanks

[psx_pirate]

Try cleaning the laser .... use a laser cleaning disk if you are not confident about doing it manually (manual is best ... use a q-tip)

[psxindo]

thanks... do i have to open the drive up to clean it manually?

[psx_pirate]

thanks... do i have to open the drive up to clean it manually?

yup

[VegasBud]

psxindo,

Could you post the log from a failed burn? It's very helpful for diagnosing problems.

I see this is your first thread here, so welcome to VideoHelp.

[psxindo]

thanks... but i'm at work right now... as soon as i'm home i'll post it...

[psxindo]

ok... this is the log of the failed write

8/16/2006 5:57:37 PM info ********** Report session closed ***********
8/16/2006 5:56:19 PM error Write failed
8/16/2006 5:56:09 PM info Finalizing CD..
8/16/2006 5:56:09 PM error WriteSector failed at sector 66048 (16) - Code 03 80 04 [Medium error]
8/16/2006 5:52:20 PM info Starting write buffer
8/16/2006 5:52:20 PM info Starting to write...
8/16/2006 5:52:20 PM info Buffer under-run proof enabled
8/16/2006 5:52:20 PM info Writing speed selected 4.0x
8/16/2006 5:52:20 PM info Open Image file "C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\Application Data\CopyToDvd\COPYTODVD_08162006_175219_953.cache"
8/16/2006 5:52:20 PM info Available sector size : 2295104
8/16/2006 5:52:20 PM info Media ID: SONY-D21-00
8/16/2006 5:52:19 PM info Detected media $001B: DVD+R
8/16/2006 5:52:19 PM info Detected media $001B: DVD+R
8/16/2006 5:52:19 PM info Finished browsing files - Data size 4.05 Gb.
8/16/2006 5:52:19 PM info Start Browsing file structures
8/16/2006 5:52:19 PM info Supported Media: DVD-R, DVD-RW Seq., DVD-RW RO, DVDRAM, DVD+R, DVD+RW, CD-R, CD-RW
8/16/2006 5:52:19 PM info Writing device used: 0:0:0 - HP DVD Writer 840b ED56 [E] (Ide)
8/16/2006 5:52:19 PM info Using Patin-Couffin driver Version 1.21, Internal revision 21
8/16/2006 5:52:19 PM info Using DVD Video creation mode.
8/16/2006 5:52:19 PM info ParamStr 1 = "/dvdvideo=C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\My Documents\DVD\no good deed"
8/16/2006 5:52:19 PM info ParamStr 0 = "C:\PROGRA~1\vso\COPYTO~1\CopyToCd.exe"
8/16/2006 5:52:19 PM info User default language : 1033 (0x0409h) - English (United States)
8/16/2006 5:52:19 PM info System default language : 1033 (0x0409h) - English (United States)
8/16/2006 5:52:19 PM info Version 3.0.3.9
8/16/2006 5:52:19 PM info Title : CopyToDVD
8/16/2006 5:52:19 PM info ExeName : "C:\PROGRA~1\vso\COPYTO~1\CopyToCd.exe"
8/16/2006 5:52:19 PM info OS : Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
8/16/2006 5:52:19 PM info ******************** Report session started ********************

[psxindo]

by the way, i already tried cleaning the lens, i used a cleaning cd with a brush instead of manually, and still doesn't work...
also i updated the firmware and still the same thing...

this is happening on both CD and DVD...
Please Help

[psxindo]

i have search the web... i found out that a lot of people is having problem with HP dvd Writer 840b... the one that i have... and most of them comes with the HP PC... most is the same as my problem... and there is no definite solution... i tried many things from... I check the DMA setting... i delete the registry... clean the lens... firmware... etc... but still not working...

It works perfectly for about 6 months and then this problem occured... please does anyone have the same problem with hp 840b and found a way to fix it... please help...

PS... my PC is still under warranty... what should i say to the tech support so i could get a new dvd writer drive... cuz... all they say it's media/software issue...

Also i'm thinking of getting a new drive...
PIONEER DVR-111D
or
NEC ND-3520A/3550A-KIT

which one is better... and won't have the same problem

thanks

[VegasBud]

psxindo,

In the CopyToDvd log that you posted, the error code "038004" isn't a valid atapi error code, so no help there. The burn seemed to be well on track for a successful 4x burn when it failed. Just to make sure, do you have any power saving mode activated that might be interferring with the burn?

You said you've tried different burning software. Have you tried ImgBurn? If so, an ImgBurn log from a failed burn would give more information. The CopyToDvd burn log doesn't have much detail. If you don't have ImgBurn, it would help if you would download a copy, and give it a try. You don't have to make another coaster to get a burn log. The log from a "Test Mode" burn (which doesn't actually write to the disk) would work fine.

If you want a replacement for the drive, all you should have to tell tech support is that the drive used to work, but it doesn't anymore, you're still under warranty, and would like a replacement.

If you want to just dump the drive and get a better one, either of the two drives you mention are high quality. I use a NEC 3520, and like it a lot, other members here like Pioneer. Both are good, it's just personal preference.

[psxindo]

hi, thanks for the reply...

here is the situation again more detail... i have the HP media center PC... it comes with HP DVD writer 840b... i bought it december 2005... it's been working perfectly until 2 months ago...
i've been using copytodvd and it's been working fine... media wise... i changed depending on which brand is on sale... this is from fuji, sony, verbatim, gq, memorex... maybe some other things...
i burn mostly dvd... around 2 months ago things started to go wrong... write sector failed error been happening... but only once in a while... but cds are burning perfectly... then it got worst... 1 in 3 dvds are burned... cds still working... then after a while... 1 in 5 dvds are working... and cds starting to do the same thing... now... 1 in 10 cds are working... and no dvds are working...

i made an audio cd and it skips on some of the songs... for dvd if it is working... i noticed a ring toward the middle and it made the movie skips...

ok... i did use imgburn... here is the error...



sorry i took this pic from another forum... but basically it's the same except for...
Device: HP DVD Writer 840b HJ86 (E (ATA)
CDB: 20 instead of 7E
Sector: 32
Sense Area: 70 00 05 00 00 00 00 0E 00 00 00 0064 00 00 00 00 00
Interpretation: Illegal Mode for this track

for log:
I 21:45:00 Operation Started!
I 21:45:00 Source File: C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\My Documents\DVD\DVDiso\NOGOODDEEDS.iso
I 21:45:00 Source File Sectors: 2,126,182 (MODE1/2048)
I 21:45:00 Source File Size: 4,354,420,736 bytes
I 21:45:00 Source File Volume Identifier: NO_GOOD_DEEDS
I 21:45:00 Source File Application Identifier: IMGBURN - THE ULTIMATE IMAGE BURNER! (C) 2006 LIGHTNING UK!
I 21:45:00 Source File Implementation Identifier: ImgBurn
I 21:45:00 Source File File System(s): ISO9660, UDF (1.02)
I 21:45:00 Destination Device: [0:0:0] HP DVD Writer 840b HJ86 (E (ATA)
I 21:45:00 Destination Media Type: DVD+R (Disc ID: SONY-D21-00) (Speeds: 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x)
I 21:45:00 Destination Media Sectors: 2,295,104
I 21:45:00 Write Mode: DVD
I 21:45:00 Write Type: DAO
I 21:45:00 Write Speed: 8x
I 21:45:00 Link Size: Auto
I 21:45:00 Test Mode: No
I 21:45:00 BURN-Proof: Enabled
I 21:45:01 Filling Buffer...
I 21:45:02 Writing LeadIn...
I 21:45:31 Writing Image...
I 21:53:28 Synchronising Cache...
I 21:53:48 Closing Track...
I 21:53:50 Finalising Disc...
I 21:53:57 Image MD5: 3359ce5a0e1f70d92df666ab5c324eed
I 21:53:57 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:08:56
I 21:53:57 Average Write Rate: 8,933 KB/s (6.4x) - Maximum Write Rate: 11,206 KB/s (8.1x)
I 21:53:57 Cycling Tray before Verify...
W 21:54:08 Waiting for device to become ready...
I 21:54:40 Device Ready!
I 21:54:40 Operation Started!
I 21:54:40 Source Device: [0:0:0] HP DVD Writer 840b HJ86 (E (ATA)
I 21:54:40 Source Media Type: DVD+R (Book Type: DVD-ROM) (Disc ID: SONY-D21-00) (Speeds: 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x)
I 21:54:40 Image File: C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\My Documents\DVD\DVDiso\NOGOODDEEDS.iso
I 21:54:40 Image File Sectors: 2,126,182 (MODE1/2048)
I 21:54:40 Image File Size: 4,354,420,736 bytes
I 21:54:40 Image File Volume Identifier: NO_GOOD_DEEDS
I 21:54:40 Image File Application Identifier: IMGBURN - THE ULTIMATE IMAGE BURNER! (C) 2006 LIGHTNING UK!
I 21:54:40 Image File Implementation Identifier: ImgBurn
I 21:54:40 Image File File System(s): ISO9660, UDF (1.02)
I 21:54:40 Verifying Sectors...
W 21:57:38 Failed to read Sector 0 - Illegal Mode For This Track
W 21:58:18 Failed to read Sector 30 - Illegal Mode For This Track
W 21:58:27 Failed to read Sector 31 - Illegal Mode For This Track
W 22:11:32 Failed to read Sector 48 - Illegal Mode For This Track
E 22:11:40 Failed to read Sector 49 - Illegal Mode For This Track
E 22:11:40 Failed to Verify Sectors!
E 22:11:40 Operation Failed! - Duration: 00:16:59
I 22:11:40 Average Verify Rate: 0 KB/s (0.0x) - Maximum Verify Rate: 0 KB/s (0.0x)

I did this using test mode... but i did it without using test mode before but i didn't save the log...
the difference is... instead of "failed to read sector" ...
it said almost the same thing as the copytodvd...
"writesector failed"

also what power saving mode are you talking about...

thanks...

[VegasBud]

Uh oh...the log says that wasn't a "Test Mode" burn, which means it was a real burn. Are you sure there was a checkmark in the "Test Mode" checkbox? If it makes you feel any better, even if the checkmark would have been in the "Test Mode" checkbox, the log says the dvd blank was a +R, and unfortunately "Test Mode" doesn't work with +R. It's not in the +R specification. I should have seen that in the prior log you posted. In this specific case, it doesn't matter, but you should be aware that you can't do a "Test Mode" burn with +R media.

Since it was a real burn, have you tried to use the dvd to see if it's screwed up. I've never seen the ImgBurn verify function make a bad call, but the log says the burn did complete successfully. Just to make sure, you should try playing it. Unfortunately, even if the disk seems fine, if it didn't verify, you can't be 100% sure that it's a good burn. With the new ImgBurn v2, you can also try to re-verify by clicking "Mode" - "Verify" and selecting the iso you used for the burn. If the disk appears to work, and a re-verify is successful, it means that specific disk is probably okay, but you still have a burning problem.

There is a newer firmware available here. If you want to be throrough, you can update to the newer firmware.

If you click "Start" - "Control Panel" - "Power Options" and look on the "Power Schemes" tab, check the "Turn off hard disks" and "System Standby" times. If they say anything but "Never", there is a possibility that it interferred with the burn and/or verify.

While there is a possibility that the above two items might fix your problem, after going through the log, if I was you I would have the drive replaced while it's still under warranty. Everything you've said suggests a dying burner, and nothing in the log points to anythng else. If HP gives you a hard time, point out that you're using first class media (here's a web page to backup that claim), and not one of several burning softwares can produce a good burn. If it's not the media, or the software, that only leaves the burner itself.

In case it comes up with HP, you are definitely in DMA mode, not PIO. There is no way you could have made the last burn in 8 minutes if you were in PIO.

[psxindo]

thanks for your help...

yeah i kind of know that i can't use +R... but that's the only one that i have right now.. because...
when i try to burn anything in -R it's giving me the same error... so i try the +R and it works... but now both -R and +R is not working...

i did check the test burn option... but it said that it will burn anyways...

another thing is... before the test burn and before your suggestion... i did make a real burn using imgburn...

and the I/O error comes out... almost the same as the test burn... and if i click continue... it said the same thing as the copytodvd error... "writesector failed"...

the dvd works on my comp... i haven't test it on a dvd player... but i didn't watch the whole movie... i just check for a couple of seconds... but... when i check the back of the cd... there is a lot of rings... it's not smooth like before... and according to my experience... when the cd has a ring that means it will skip...

well thanks anyways...
I will try to contact HP again... see if I could get a new drive...

but i will buy a better one too... either the pioneer or the nec...
so i could have the HP one as a backup....
any suggestion for a DVD writer???

[VegasBud]

Yes, I'm afraid rings on the burn side mean it's a coaster.

At one time or another I've used most brands of dvd burners. The NEC I'm currently using is probably my favorite. Other people seem to find them reliable also. As I said before, though, some people prefer Pioneer, and I'm sure you'll get good burns with one of those too.

Since you want another burner, anyways, it's going to be a lot cheaper to get it now, rather than throwing more money away in the coaster factory. As an example, this NEC burner is $28.99, about the same cost as 100 Taiyo Yuden blank disks. For what you've already paid for coasters, one of those drives would be almost half paid for...plus there's all the irritation of trying to get a good burn out of a dying drive.

[psxindo]

hey vegasbud...

thanks, but i'm getting the pioneer...

another question...
is it better to stay with one format rather than switching? i mean -R & +R
because on the HP 840b... i switch between the 2 format... usually after the spindle is done... depending on which is on sale...
does switching format damage the drive? how bout media brand?
which is better + or -? which is better for the drive?

thanks

[VegasBud]

psxindo,

Pioneer drives are excellent, too. I've had a 104 and a 106, and neither of them ever gave me a problem.

While people here sometimes like to debate +R versus -R formats, both work fine. Two major differences, however, are the ability to set booktype on the +R (your logs show you already know about setting the booktype to "DVD-ROM"), and the lack of support for "Test Mode" burns with +R (you certainly are aware of this, too).

Modern burners don't care which format you use, or if you switch back and forth between them. The most important factor is disk quality, not format. To help you make good decisions on what to buy, here's a page at lordsmurf's web site that lists all the different brands, manufacturers, and qualities. It's a very valuable reference.

[psxindo]

vegasbud...

so the most important is the media ID... even though the brand is not good... as long the media ID is from the 1st class media, then it's good...

as you could see from the log... the media ID is sony... and its listed as 1st class... the brand is from GQ... most people would say that GQ is a bad brand...
but from the media ID it's a 1st class media...

People from this and many other forums are saying one brand is better than another... but in reality media ID is what's important...

The thing is I bought GQ because it's cheap... real cheap...

now looking at the link you gave me... it's not a bad thing to buy the cheap discs...

thanks...

[VegasBud]

psxindo,

Yes, it's the media ID that really matters. The unfortunate part is that the media ID can change for the same brand name from batch to batch. If you were to go to the store and get another set of GQ disks, they might have a completely different media ID than you got last time. Since you don't know what you've got until you take them home and put a disk in the burner, you may have bought disks that are not useable, or only marginally so. If that happens, then the bargain becomes expensive.

In the long run, it can end up being cheaper, and certainly gives you more peace of mind, to just get hundred lots (online) of something like Taiyo Yuden that are always excellent, and you know ahead of time that every disk will give superior results, with no waste. That's what works for me, but it doesn't necessarily mean it would work for you.

Probably every person here has bought disks that were disappointing before they found what works for them, with their computer, software, and burner combination. Sooner or later, you'll find the perfect media for your purposes. Using lordsmurf's guide will help you make better choices while you're getting there.