PC runs really slowly when reading from DVD

[Jon Weaver]

Until recently, I would use my PC when reading from DVD (Say using SmartRipper or Nero)

I should say that I am running XP.

However, something is changed and I don't know what.

Now, when I am 'reading', the PC runs slowly.. Windows visibly refresh slowly and using explorer is impossible as its just too slow.

As soon as the read stops, the PC instantly returns to to normal.

Does anyone have ANY suggestions?

[johns0]

check to see if your dvd-rom went to pio mode,if it has set it to ultra dma mode,you can find the settings in control panel/system/hardware/device manager/ide ata/atapi controllers,if you cant set it back to udma then try uninstalling the channel thats set to pio if thats the case.

[Jon Weaver]

THanks for the reply.. I forgot to say, the first thing I checked was the 'status' of the drives, and all my CD/DVD drives are running in DMA mode.

I have the Reader on the Primary Channel as Standalone, so that I can benifit from its UDMA-4 performace.

I have the CD and DVD writers sharing the secondary channel and they are both running at UDMA-2.

I dont' thinkt that this is a DMA problem on the DVD drive.. But it could be on the Hard-Drives.. Problem is that my HDs are running on the RAID controller and I have no way to confirm the "DMA Status".