Computer running very slow when burning dvds. *plz help*

[dave25]

Hi Guys.

I have a Pentium 4 2.00ghz with 512mb of ram and a Sony Dru500a dvd writer with Windows xp installed.

My computers goes extremely slow when i burn a DVD. I didnt have this problem before, I used to surf the net whilst burning without any problems until recently.
The two main programs that i use for burning are Nero 6 and DVDdecrypter, and i have the same problem with both, the buffer level goes up and down and my pc goes really slow and i am unable to do anything else whilst burning. I have even reinstalled windows xp but it started again after a few burns. I have checked in system properties and DMA is enabled. I have tried switching places with my second dvd/cd writer but without any success!!. I have even checked to see if i had installed any new software which could slow the burning process, and I havent, apart from SDLcodec pack which i don't think effects the burning process in any way.

If there is anybody who could help me rectify this problem, it would be most appreciated. Is there anything in the bious menu I could check?
Plz help!

Thanks in advance

Dave

[redrumjack]

I've noticed this also. Have you checked how fragged your HardDrives are? It seemed to help with mine some. but yes I noticed the buffer goes nuts yet.

[Gazorgan]

If you only have 1 harddrive, then this can happen. Generally, It's from a badly fragmented drive.

Defrag, then do a backup and burn, I bet the probelm goes away. Saying it happens after installing XP and doing a few burns is indicitive of a fragmented system. You are dealing with GB's of files here and it can fragment pretty bad......especially if you leave VOB's on your disk awhile (installing software while the VOB's are there, then deleteing them).

[dave25]

Thanks Gazorgan for the reply. I have two harddrives and yes I do tend to copy vob files on the drives, and i have installed various softwares on my pc.

I will try defragmenting the drives. Is this a lenghy process? will i be still be able to use pc whilst doing that?


thanks again

dave

[redrumjack]

I started checking on my issue in more detail.

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=180270

Tip #3 reinstalling the Primary and Secondary IDE Drives fixed my problem.

Buffer Level now stays full.

Browsing is faster.

Basically I found my drive stuck in PIO Mode and it wouldn't change to DMA Mode.

[gcgreen]

I would advise that you set the drives to defrag at night or any time that you will be away from the computer and defrag only one drive at a time. Personally I use Norton Systemworks on my system with Win XP Pro. I am not sure if you can schedule a defrag with Administrative tools in Win XP.

Also how many drives do you have on your system? Is your OS and other programs installed on the same drive from which you are burning?

[dave25]

i have two drives and yes my OS and burning software is on the main C drive.

[gcgreen]

As stated above if you have the dvd files on the same drive that you use to install and later uninstall software, you will be more likely to have higher fragmentation.

Have you checked how fragmented your drives are? In Win XP I believe that you do this under Control Panel>Adminstrative Tools>Computer Management.

[rxplsb3]

Personally, with the cost of blank DVD media, I don't use my system for ANYTHING other than burning while I am making a DVD. One of the programs I use is DVDXCopy and they specifically warn against using your computer for anything else during the burn process. They have successfully scared me into thinking I might create an expensive coaster if I use my computer for other activities while burning. I have a Pentium 4, 2.4GHz PC with 512MB RAM and 2 hard drives (80GB and 120GB) that I keep defragmented with the windows defragmenter. Should I be worried about making coasters or should I surf the net while making DVD's?

Larry

[redrumjack]

Open "My Computer" Right Click on Drive got to Tools and select Degfragment.

But you problem sounds Identical to mine so and I JUST finally fixed it. So check that link I posted. Tip 3 fixed my issue. If you drive is stuck in PIO Mode.

[dave25]

ok guys, ive ran the defrag software from the control panel, it did a check on my drives , my main C drive does not require defragmenting but it is asking to to defragment the D drive. So i might try that tomorrow!

@ redrumjack

I have tried uninstalling the ide controller but still slow. I also downloaded Intel Application Accelerator because it could not see the advanced tab for my DVD rom drive. Do you know where to go into the bios menu to check if the DMA is enabled there?

thanks

[noki]

dave25
check the controller device to find the advanced tab for changing PIO/DMA.

...go into the bios menu to check if the DMA is enabled there

under IDE devices.

[dave25]

ok guys, just managed to get into bios. i went the IDE Configuration menu. This is what i see for my Sony dvd writer ; -

multi-sectors xfer (disabled)
PIO mode (mode 4)
Ultra DMA (mode 2)
cable detected (40 conductor)

So how do i know DMA is enabled, or everything is alright?


thanks

dave

[Wetmonkey]

the pio should be greyed out, and or select dma if avaliable, under that shold read the DMA mode in windows. in the bios ive noticed that the options vary, i would have it auto select the drive and allow windows to dictate the mode. right click on my computer, and go into the device manager and make sure the ide is set to dma mode if available.

[dave25]

My sony writer is set on auto in the bios menu. There doeasnt seem to be an option for me to change the above.

The ide controllers in the device menu always showed DMA enabled. although i cant see it now , maybe because i have installed intel application acce. This is what the report says -

Secondary Master: SONY DVD RW DRU-500A
Model: SONY DVD RW DRU-500A
Firmware: 2.0g
Device Type: ATAPI - Removable - CDROM
PIO Mode Support: 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4
DMA SW Mode Support: No Support
DMA MW Mode Support: 0 - 1 - 2
UDMA Mode Support: 0 - 1 - 2
Default Transfer Mode: UDMA-2
Current Transfer Mode: UDMA-2
Transfer Mode Limit: No Limit
Cable Type (Device): 80 Conductor
Cable Type (Host): 40 Conductor
PIO PPE: Enabled
UDMA Control Register: Ultra DMA Mode Enabled
UDMA Timing Register: CT = 2 CLK / RP = 4 CLK
Base Clock: Ultra DMA 33 Timings
Auto-Acoustic Management: Feature not supported by device.
Dynamic APM on AC: Feature not supported by device.
Dynamic APM on Battery: Feature not supported by device.


Platform Information
Processor Type: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 Processor
Processor level: Family 15
Processor Revision: Model 1 Stepping 2
Active Processor Mask: 1
Number of Processors: 1