Ripping speed suddenly slow, not PIO/DMA problem?

[PDQBach78]

OK, I used to get an average read speed (using DVD Decrypter) of around 8x. I just replaced a shot HD and reinstalled WinXP, and suddenly my peak read was about 16x, with a 13x average.

Now, for (apparently) no reason, my peak read has dropped to 8x, with a 5-6x average. I've done all the DMA/PIO checks and everything seems good there (performed the fixes anyways, just to see). I also tried uninstalling and letting WinXP rediscover the secondary IDE controller and drives, and upgrading the bios to the latest version. Still no luck.

I can't seem to find any other pointers on line, so I was wondering if anyone here has had a similar problem, or has any other ideas.

BTW, the problem exists on both dvd drives on the secondary channel: master is Cyberhome 16x dvd+/-R/RW burner, and slave is some turd compaq dvd-rom drive. speeds are identical regardless of which drive I use.

Thanks in advance,
Ben

[ybeard]

What kind of hard disk drive did you replace it with? By chance, you didn't happen to replace a 7200rpm with a 5400rpm? That could account for slower speeds. Pagefile size?

[PDQBach78]

Nope. The speed after replacing the HD was initially faster (climbed to 13x), then after a day or two dropped to 5x. The drive is huge (by my standards--160 GB) and only about 10% full. It's a Western Digital 7200 rpm.

Pagefile size is set at 768 (default, I guess). Should I change it?

[PDQBach78]

Pagefile size is 768 initial, 1536 max, actually, and it's actually set as custom size, as opposed to system managed size, though I've never changed it.

[chas0039]

The only reliable way to compare ripping speeds is on the same disc. I assume you are not ripping the same disc over and over and your problems looks exactly like what your should expect if your are ripping a single layer disc and then ripping a dual layer disc.

As it is impossible to reach 16X on a DL disc I think this might be what you are experiencing.

[PDQBach78]

Well, I can say this much--I've tried several discs, single and double layer, commercial and home-burned, encrypted and not, and I've tried ripping from both master and slave drive, and none of that has made a difference. The same was true before, when I used to average 8-9x.

There doesn't seem to be any noticeable difference in read speed between the single and dual-layer discs, or any discs, for that matter.

Jeez, I just don't know what to do. I have two HD's set up as master and slave on primary IDE, and my burner as master and dvd-rom as slave on the secondary IDE. I think I may try reorganizing that setup, to see if anything changes... I read somewhere that using a 80 wire ide ribbon can sometimes make a difference, even though it's not necessarry for atapi drives...

[INFRATOM]

I have the same problem rip speed has dropped down to 3x , I tested its on DL and on SL goes to 12x. must be some sort of program loaded or something to do this doesn't make sense SL=12x and DL=3x .

[jtoolman2000]

I've noticed a big diference in rip speed with different DVD originals. One particular disc took like 40 mins where others would rip in like 8 min for a full 7 + gigs to my internal 7200 rpm HD. These effects would be completely repeatable so I can only atribute them to the discs themselves. However you may be experiencing something else though.

[winifreid]

If I am not mistaken, 16x means the drive is udma 66 which requires an 80 wire ribbin cable.

[chas0039]

I have the same problem rip speed has dropped down to 3x , I tested its on DL and on SL goes to 12x. must be some sort of program loaded or something to do this doesn't make sense SL=12x and DL=3x .

Actually it makes perfect sense. I have been told that the riplock only is activated by DL discs.

[INFRATOM]

so it means rip lock activated by itself after flashing ? I flashed my NEC with Liggy's FW. I have to make some extensive test to get to the bottom of this. Thanks

[boldego]

I had a similar problem. I had been able to rip as high as 12x then suddenly I could not rip any faster than 8x with the buffer actually maxing out in DVDDecrypter. Then I had problems with my windows installer and had to re-do XP again and the problem went away. I never was able to figure out what had caused it.

[INFRATOM]

You brought up good point Boldego, now for windows update you need installer 3.1 ,my firewall constantly reports it wants to connect to internet or network even though windows update is turned off, who knows it may have embedded reporting feature and rip lock for error less rips!!! Does anyone know if there is a program to show what these programs send out or why would they want to connect to internet. I'll test this on new service pack 1 install.