computr freezes/crashes when burning dvds

[agent222]

Recently had to reformat my computer. since then whenever I try to burn a DVD, my computer either freezes then crashes, or, just crashes. At first I though it was related to the fact that by DVD burning programs wasn't recognizing blanks in the burner. After flashing the firmware, came to the conclusion I needed a new burner. Bought a new Samsung, had it installed. Tried to burn I DVD with two different programs., and, even tried burning in safe mode. Each time, while the programs recognized that there was a blank in the drive, the computer soon crashed.

Reading posts that seem similar to my problem, I've check the setting of the IDE/ATA/APATI controllers, and they are listed as being in DMA mode. So that doesn't appear to be the problem.

I run XPHome, with service pack 3 on a AMD Athalon 64 3200. 2.01Ghz. chip, 2GB of Ram, 80GB WD HD, an nVIda nForce video card. My two burners are the Samsung DVD/CD buner. model SH-S223B (shown as being from TSST Corp., in properties,) set as the master. And, the other is a Lite-on CDwriter/DVDreader SHOC-5263B, set as the slave.
My two burning programs are DVDFab Platimium6, and, VSOCOnvertXtoDVD 3.7.2.188

As usual thanks in advance to any, and, all who help in resolving this problem.

[lordsmurf]

Reinstall the correct IDE drivers for your motherboard, probably VIA.
SP3 on an AMD can also be a problem.

[agent222]

LordSurf; (where's Poppa?)

Using the Windows driver updater, and, the Driver Checker program which seems to be supported by various manufacturers, I seem to have the right drivers for my IDE controllers. Is there another way to check update them?

[minidv2dvd]

first thing i would try is a new 80 wire ide cable. old one may have a crack or pulled wire you can't see.

[bendixG15]

Disconnect one of the burners and try a burn just to make sure the OS is selecting the correct burner.

As I recall with 2 burners, somewhere you have to tell the OS which burner to use. (I gave up 2 burners a while ago so I can't be more helpful)

[agent222]

Bendix;

As I posted earlier, one drive is a cdr/rw DVD rom, the other is a cd DVD r/rw. When I burn a cd in the the drive designated "E" (cdr/rw, DVD rom) I have no problems, it's when I use drive "D" (cd DVD r/rw) to burn a DVD is when I have the problem. My nephew-who works for a discount electronics store "nerd department" (using euphemisms instead of actual names,) finally said that he though it was the SATA cable, replacing which I'll be trying soon (I hope) to see if he's right.

[minidv2dvd]

you'd better open the computer case up first and check whether it's a 2 ide drives hooked onto one ide cable or there are 2 separate sata cables, one for each drive. now you have said it's sata but before ide, they use different cables.


it would help a bit if you took the time to fill in the computer details in your profile.

[bendixG15]

OK .. I'll be watching for your results ....

[agent222]

Unfortunately, the results are like this. A new SATA cable was installed on the Samsung. The computer still froze and/or crashed when trying to burn a DVD. New drivers were found and installed for the mother board, the sound card, the ethernet card, and, the Samsung. I still couldn't burn a DVD. It was decided to see if the Samsung would read an already burned DVD, it did not appear that it did. I have a second SATA cable, bought at a different store, presumably by a different manufacturer, see if that solves the problem. But I don't think that will solve my problem, neither do I think it a bad drive, or, bad drivers. I think it's something physical, because if it was something in Windows, I wouldn't be able to play DVD's in the Lite-On.

[guns1inger]

neither do I think it a bad drive, or, bad drivers. I think it's something physical

So you don't think it is the cable, the drive or the drivers, but you do think it is something physical. Doesn't leave much - the controller (which means the whole mainboard) and . . . . that's about it.

Simple test : find a mate with a SATA burner and swap them over for a test. If he has the same problems, you need a new burner. If you still have problems, you need a new motherboard.

[agent222]

'slinger

In reality, I don't what is causing my problem. All I know is that I am able to play DVDs on my computer through Media Player Classic, using what is designated drive "E." I am NOT able to either play, nor, burn DVDs in my drive "D." That is has been going on since my reformat. I have updated drivers, installed a new SATA cable, and, before that a new drive.

Here, again, is all my computer information

there is no band, or, model, because my nephew assembled it from components.
It has a Foxconn mobo (EU&USA AMD series 939 socket NF4UK3AA), running XP Home, service pack 3 at 2.01 Ghz.
with 2GB of RAM. (Athalon 64 processor 3200)
A Western Digital 80 GB HD (WD800 BB-00-CAA1)
nVida GeoFOrce 7600 GT display adapter,
IDE/ATA/ATAPI control nVida CK804 ADMA controller (v2.7)
drive "D" Samsung (TSST Corp) SH-S223B-8EKRS (CD/DVD R/W) (firmware just updated to the latest version.)
drive "E" Lite-On SHOC-5236V (CDR/W, DVD ROM)
and, the media I've trying to burn with is Verbatim DVD+R
Programs I've trying to use to burn with are DVDFab 6, and, VSO ConvertxtoDVD 3.7.2.188

if there is anything else anybody needs, in the way of system information, or, otherwise, ask in reply, and, I'll try to get it .

[budz]

I'd say first try burning with IMGBURN instead of your other proggies you've got. VIA chipset's are headaches when it comes to using a SATA dvd burner. From what I remember is if a mobo uses a VIA chipset mobo the likelihood is the SATA dvd burner will not work correctly. To remedy it you would have to use a PCI SATA CONTROLLER CARD for the dvd burner. You could try to update your mobo by going to the VIA website and update to the latest drivers for your ide/sata controller. Don't go to the FOXCONN website for the drivers, you have to go to the VIA website. Good luck! If you decide to get a PCI SATA CONTROLLER CARD you will need to buy one with the SILICON IMAGE CHIPSET 3114. There's other SILICON CHIPSET's but it's 5:45 a.m. here in Honolulu so my brain isn't awake yet.

[tomlee59]

Here are some additional things to try if those other suggestions don't pan out. Run an error-check of your hard drive. There may be some bad sectors that went undiscovered during your reformat (or died soon after).

Download a RAM test routine (MemTest is a good one, and the free version will get the job done fine) and let it run. You might have flaky RAM that's causing you grief.

[agent222]

budz

Wouldn't using any ISO program like imgburn still need to have the burner in working order?
A couple of new items to what I have previously listed, found out that the Samsung (DVD burner) will not read
DVDs either.
And, was able to talk to my job site's IT man, he thought that if replacing the SATA cable bought from a different source didn't solve the problem, it might be because, somehow, the slot where the burner is installed on the mobo became bad.
If that is right solution is easy. Move installation to another slot on mobo, fortunately it appears that there is a open slot on mobo. Looking at device manager, it seems that there are 3 IDE/ATA?APATI controllers. Two have the two drives associated with them, and, the last has nothing associated with it. So logic tells me (as well as looking at the tower,) that there three slots for installing devices like CD, DVD, or, even floppy disc (yes those antiques,) drives. Now just need to get my nephew to do it.

[budz]

^^^slots have nothing to do with it. It's the via chipset that doesn't work with SATA dvd burners. My bet is if you were to put that dvd burner into a NON VIA chipset mobo the SATA dvd burner will work correctly. The reason for the pc freezing up is because the dvd burner is not working correctly. You could post your problem at the SAMSUNG Forum at CDFreaks.com. I'm sure they'll suggest the same things that I have. VIA chipsets will render SATA dvd burners not to function correctly. Only way you would be to use the drive is to use a PCI SATA CONTROLLER CARD that uses the SILICON IMAGE CHIPSET. Geeks.com has one for $14.99.
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=CL-SL3114&cat=CCD

[agent222]

budz;
my nephew-the in store tech for a major discount electronics retailer, brought home one their diagnostic program discs, and, ran it on this computer. After working with it off and on for two days, he finally came up with this result; the hard drive is failing. Fortunately prices for drives have fallen so much that I can get more than 6x the capacity of the drive that's going bad for between $8-$9 a GB.

[Nelson37]

Now just hold on a minute.

Are the optical drives SATA or IDE? Are the data cables about 1/4 inch or about two inches wide? You keep referring to both, the master/slave setting refers ONLY to the older IDE type and could be a source of the problem.

I have lots of experience with major-chain tech departments. Sorry, but I wouldn't trust one of their techs to properly blow up a balloon.

Roughly how long ago was this PC constructed? Those are old and possibly used parts, a person in your nephew's position would accumulate a lot of those, mostly from PC's returned defective. That plus the diagnosis you are being given is raising some red flags.

First thing to do is to eliminate one of the optical drives, and the hard drive, for testing. You need a bootable CD such as your Windows disk and ideally a bootable DVD. Test basic read function. Still with ONE optical drive, connect hard drive, boot, and test a data DVD. Basic read function. Do this with BOTH optical drives.

Your description needs to get better. There are almost certainly NOT three IDE connectors, two at the most and one slightly shorter one for the floppy. You most likely don't have any SATA connectors at all, but this is a primary question to answer. Check the cables as I described above.

It is also necessary to know WHY the hard drive was re-formatted in the first place.

Now, if the are the older, wide ribbon cable IDE drives, with both drives on one cable, and your nephew has not disconnected one of them in testing this problem, then boot him out on his ass and tell him he needs to learn WTF he is doing.

[budz]

Now, if the are the older, wide ribbon cable IDE drives, with both drives on one cable, and your nephew has not disconnected one of them in testing this problem, then boot him out on his ass and tell him he needs to learn WTF he is doing.

That's funny but you're absolutely right!

Bottom line is to just change the ide cable and make sure it's a 80 wire ide cable or the drive will not work correctly. The OP has not verified if the drive is SATA or IDE which makes it difficult to assist with da problem. "Throws my hands up in da air!"

[agent222]

OK

First off; while my nephew may be employed by the "major discount electronics store service department" he is not working on my computer as one. He is doing it as the household electronics expert, who originally assembled it,a couple of years ago-USING NEW PARTS bought from a leading internet electronic site (not the store he currently works for, long before he became a member of the "nerd department." He just brought home a diagnostic program they use. Also, I NEVER SAID that there are 3 IDE Cables in my computer, I DID SAY that there are 3 IDE/SATA/APTI CONTROLLERS on my computer.

As to what the drives are, I thought I said long ago that they are SATA, I know I said he changed the SATA cables, and, the controller to which the burner is connected to. The firmware for the burner, and, the drivers for the motherboard, have been upated.

The original reason I reformatted was that my computer was that, although I try to keep my firewall, antivirus, and, antimalware programs updated, while my niece was visiting an online game site, some threats were detected by my antivirus program. While scanning after these threats were detected, my computer seemed to have somehow caught the Smitfraud virus/malware. I managed to get rid of it, but after a reboot, my copy of Windows wasn't working right. Please note that before I reinstalled Windows, I wiped my hard drive first, so it was a clean install.

After that, I noted that the burner that was on my computer didn't seem to be working right. Even after flashing it, blanks in it, did not seem to be detected by DVD writing programs, and, crashed my computer.

Now, without having to rehash more, have I settled all the controversy I've seemed to have caused here by my neglect, and/or, people's misreading of my posts/replies.