Problem with burning using my LG writer won't go away

[pwil30]

This is my first post, although I have been reading the forums for quite awhile now...but I am still having some serious problems with my LG GSA-H54N DVD writer ever since I got it (about a week ago). When I try to burn a DVD, no matter what speed I write at (I've tried 1x - 16x) I always get an error after about 5%. Usually its a sense key error. I've tried Nero 7.9 Burning ROM, Nero Recode 2, and DVD2One V2 and still the same error happens. The DVD burner will suddenly stop burning before it hits 10%. And the funny thing is that the DVD burner does not communicate after failure, and I can't even open the tray after it fails, so I have to restart the PC again before I can access the drive.

I've already exchanged the drive for a new one (same model) and nothing changed. I've defragged the drive, closed all my unimportant processes, virus scanned, freed up space, and absolutely nil has changed. I think it might be an buffer underrun problem, but I still can't find a way to correct it!

Any suggestions? I have a feeling that it could be my processor speed (2.4 Ghz)...possibly too slow? Its definitely not the RAM (1.5GB), so I'm really confused as to why this is happening. Thanks for reading, any help would be greatly appreciated!

-Pat

[pwil30]

i forgot to add that the problem is not the media, I have tried Ridata (Ritek) and Sony DVD-Rs and the same result happens.

[Skith]

Check the device manager to make sure your drive is using DMA (most likely UDMA 2).
In Device Manager:
IDE/ATAPI controllers -> Primary & (if present) Secondary IDE controller Channel -> Right-click->Properties -> Advanced Settings Tab.

If you have installed any packet writing software, uninstall it. (Nero INCD or the raxio equivilent). If you did install INCD you may even want to completely uninstall Nero and go to nero's support site and download their "cleanup" tool.

Make sure the drive is attached correctly to the IDE cable, that it is properly jumpered (master/slave/cable select), and that you are using an 80-conductor IDE ribbon cable. The Drive should be connected to an IDE port on the motherboard (very few PCI controllers properly support optical devices). You should also check the cable for damage.

The last thing would be to check for a firmware update for your drive.

[budz]

This is my first post, although I have been reading the forums for quite awhile now...but I am still having some serious problems with my LG GSA-H54N DVD writer ever since I got it (about a week ago). When I try to burn a DVD, no matter what speed I write at (I've tried 1x - 16x) I always get an error after about 5%. Usually its a sense key error. I've tried Nero 7.9 Burning ROM, Nero Recode 2, and DVD2One V2 and still the same error happens. The DVD burner will suddenly stop burning before it hits 10%. And the funny thing is that the DVD burner does not communicate after failure, and I can't even open the tray after it fails, so I have to restart the PC again before I can access the drive.

I've already exchanged the drive for a new one (same model) and nothing changed. I've defragged the drive, closed all my unimportant processes, virus scanned, freed up space, and absolutely nil has changed. I think it might be an buffer underrun problem, but I still can't find a way to correct it!

Any suggestions? I have a feeling that it could be my processor speed (2.4 Ghz)...possibly too slow? Its definitely not the RAM (1.5GB), so I'm really confused as to why this is happening. Thanks for reading, any help would be greatly appreciated!

-Pat

As already suggested use a 80 conductor ide cable or the drive will not work correctly. Newer dvd burners require a 80 conductor ide cable. Buy a new 80 conductor ide cable before you update the firmware on your drive.

[GKar]

Please post your Nero burn log.

[pwil30]

I actually just found out what the problem was... thanks Skith for the idea for the DMA. I had to go into BIOS and I realized in there that BIOS actually did not recognize there was a new writer installed. Weird, because once I selected "unknown device" as the secondary slave instead of "none" then when I booted up, all of a sudden DMA was enabled and everything worked fine.

Thanks for the help everyone, if something ends up happening in the future I know to also check the IDE cable as a possibility.

[Bjs]

As already suggested use a 80 conductor ide cable or the drive will not work correctly. Newer dvd burners require a 80 conductor ide cable. Buy a new 80 conductor ide cable before you update the firmware on your drive.

The difference is referenced here : http://kb.iu.edu/data/adlt.html

40 pin , while slower , is able to be reversed ... 80 pin can not be reversed .

In theory , even at the 40 pin max transfer rate of 33MBps (Megabytes per second) , there should not be an issue , because new drives do work with 40 pin cable .

This issue may occur when blueray becomes more popular due to higher transfer rates being required ... once the manufacturers actually pull there fingers out , and get the units associated cost down to something a little closer to main stream ideals .

I have never had any issues with using the older 40 pin cables with the latest dvd burners , and neither have my customers , not once , not ever .

The only issue they have is asking me to visit and show them how to burn to disc , because they have never done it before , and some are a little cautious when it comes to new technology .

----

I had to go into BIOS and I realized in there that BIOS actually did not recognize there was a new writer installed.

That suggests there was an issue with either the cable not being connected correctly , or an issue with drive jumpers not set correctly .

Or someone did not shut the system completely off while installing the new device ... bad mistake that .

If the bios dose not see the device , it can not be seen in windows os at ALL ... period .

The only exception to this rule is where the 12volt supply has failed to the unit ... bios see's it , so os see's it ... yet dose not function (press eject button ... nothing happens) .

The reverse happens when 5 volt supply fails .

[pwil30]

That suggests there was an issue with either the cable not being connected correctly , or an issue with drive jumpers not set correctly .

I'm remembering now that you say this that I forgot to jumper the writer as a slave device when I first installed it (I had one on cable select and one on master, I think), so the PC obviously didn't recognize it when I did that. So I changed the jumpers and the OS recognized it, but it didn't burn properly.

So maybe it was the initial improper jumper configuration that messed things up in BIOS? I don't think I shut down improperly or anything, and the power supply always failed at the same spot while burning. But when I rebooted, the power supply was fine. So maybe it was the jumpers that were the problem.