I also read on the forums about updating your firmware for your DVD Burner. How can I tell if my firmware has been updated for my DVD Burner. The Newbie Again
Check the manufacturer's website. They normally list any firmware updates for their drives. I've updated both my DVD ROM and burner firmware over the past year. Sometimes the website support section for your PC lists updates, if the equipment came with the PC (as in the case of my DVD ROM drive).
Hi ctljones, AFA your Nero log goes, It would seem that you have run out of disc space - So into DVD Shrink we need to go, click "edit" then "preferences" the set the "target size" to 4360MB so that you're not burning to the edge of the disc. While you're there if you don't wish to purchase Nero, you can also go to I/O tab and "un-tick" "enable burning with Nero". That would allow you to burn with DVD Decrypter (Free) iffin you don't wish to purchase it. As any knowledgeable member will tell you, If you want all of the programs of which Nero's Ultra Edition is made up, it's a value that cannot be beat BUT if all you're going to use is the burning app then Nero is way over priced. CopyToDVD is a much faster burner than Nero and is cheaper and DVD Decrypter, an extremely good ISO burning app, and with the total price of FREE, it out does them all in value vs. quality comparission. Of those facts, all of the most informed members cannot disagree. As for your firmware, - Let's check for up-to-date Firmware for your burner. "OK, so what is this "Firmware" garbage?" Fair question. Firmware is a "tutor" who's job it is to eliminate any "bugs" found in your drive and to "introduce" your burner to all the different kinds of media to your burner is likely to run into and to tell your burner a little bit about it. What type of media it is and at what speed to burn it. As new media is introduced OR, as the Mfgrs of your burner find new ways to use it, new firmware updates OR "Flash upgrades" come out to "school" your burner, keeping it up-to-date. It's good to keep your burner up-to-date as it "tweaks" your burner and keeps it operating at peak performance. Of major Importance - When dealing firmware, you must match your burner's exact model with the proper Firmware. Trying to "Flash" your burner with something "Close" won't do it. It must be the exact firmware for your drive. ("Flashing" is what the installation is referred to when you put the firmware into your drive.) Trying to "Flash" your drive with some other drive's firmware can ruin your drive. At the bottom of the page look for "What's my firmware? - Try this little tool I found," Download this tool and check out your Firmware's health (up-to-date wise). You can probably get a current upgrade there also - http://flashman.rpc-1.com/ Firmware page - http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_all.php Always check your burner's Mfgr's "Support" section to see if some newer Firmware is there - Firmware, You can't burn without it - I hope this has been of some help - Cheers, Pete
Those words are worth repeating. Your investment can go down the tubes if a mistake is made. It's an easy process, some drives will "flash" from a file on the computer and some from a floppy. It's easy, but follow the instructions and use the correct update; even the manufacturer sometimes lists more than one firmware update according to models in their line. [bold]Don't be scared, but do be careful.[/bold]
Now for a show of unabashed favoritism that many of us forum members in the know will agree with. If I had to have only one recording program or suite, I would go for Nero because it covers so much. the recording program Recode2 rivals DVD Shrink. In fact the author of DVD Shrink now works for Ahead (Nero). Use the free DVD Decrypter or the background decrypter AnyDVD (retail) to decrypt and then run Recode 2 to encode and burn. This is the app I use for movies that don't cause excessive compression during transcoding. Before you conclude Nero is my favorite, read the whole post. Nero has the Burning ROM to burn with DVD Shrink or any other app that needs a burner. It has Express for importing and burning files (my favorite using AnyDVD for doing DVD5 movies), (NVE3)Nero Vision Express 3 for changing MPEG4, AVI and other file types to usable types to record DVD. Plus, there are authoring capabilities. It also does just about anything with CDs. So, for the package price, it is cheap in comparison to a single program. Owners usually end up using most of the suite's capabilities, unless all they want it for is to use with Shrink. In the past, Shrink would still burn, but the speed was dropped to 2X when the trial expired (time to download again). I'm not sure on that as I've now owned Nero for some time. I first got it to use as the burner for DVD Shrink, way back when. As I mentioned, the Nero suite is available for unlimited 30 day periods for those wanting to try it out or use it on the cheap. One of Nero's reps said they were so sure of their program that they thought most people who try it will eventually purchase (reason for the unlimited trial). Before anyone asks, [bold]I am not a Nero rep, just another of the millions of satisfied users worldwide and an informed forum member.[/bold] Pete is right, if all you want is a free burner app, then DVD Decrypter (which only writes ISO format files)is your choice. In fact for DVD 5 it is the only app you'll need. I live in the real world and find that owning several apps can solve the recording needs one can run into, as well as making them easier. Since I am a regular on several forums, I try to keep up on many apps. So my start list sometimes reads like a whose who. Shrink is a good app, I'll say that up front. It's the best freeware available to record. However, there are better. Here is the list I currently have loaded on my PC (more in the library). Rebuild with Cinema Craft Encoder (RB/CCE), DVDCopy3, DVDCopy2 (just haven't deleted it yet), Instantcopy8 (IC8), Pinnacle's Instant CD/DVD recording suite, Alcohol 120%, DVD Shrink 3.2, CopyToDVD, Blindwrite, Dr DivX, DVDXCopy Platinum, and last but not least the Nero suite with Recode2. No particular order of preference, they just got written down according to icon location on the desktop. Some of these are leftovers from the the summer's big transcoder shootout we had here on AD. Utilities, decrypters, authoring programs, and players include AnyDVD, DVD Decrypter, DVD-lab PRO, WinDVD6, WinDVR 3, DVDRemake, Realplayer, Quicktime Player, DVDInfo, WinRar (it can unpack an ISO file into file format), and DivX Player Many of these apps found their way onto my PC for testing purposes and I left them loaded because I find them useful. By the way, all these "puppies" play well together (in other words, no interference). Having multiple large hard drives doesn't hurt. Just don't leave programs open that aren't supposed to be and don't turn off ones that should be on. Batch writing programs like InCD in Nero can cause problems and should not even be loaded. There are things one learns, now you don't have to learn that one the hard way. Lab pro and WinDVR are a couple I still need to check out, but the rest I can recommend; including DVD Shrink and DVD Decrypter if all you want is freeware.
I'm getting very frustrated with this copying DVDs and it failed on me again I'm ready to give up on doing this stuff all these dvds are turning into coasters. This time I used DVD Shrink & DVD Decrypter to backup the movie it's 1:00 in the morning & I'm getting pissed off here is the log. I 00:20:11 DVD Decrypter Version 3.5.1.0 started! I 00:20:11 Microsoft Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600 : Service Pack 2) I 00:20:11 Initialising SPTI... I 00:20:11 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices... I 00:20:11 Found 1 CD-ROM and 1 DVD±RW! I 00:23:58 Operation Started! I 00:23:58 Source File: C:\ALL DVD WORK\WHITXMAS.ISO I 00:23:58 Source File Sectors: 2,232,617 (MODE1/2048) I 00:23:58 Source File Size: 4,572,399,616 bytes I 00:23:58 Destination Device: [1:1:0] SONY DVD RW DW-U18A UYS1 (E (ATA) I 00:23:58 Destination Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: MXL RG02) (Speeds: 2x, 4x) I 00:23:59 Destination Media Sectors: 2,297,888 I 00:23:59 Write Mode: DVD I 00:23:59 Write Speed: MAX I 00:23:59 Test Mode: No I 00:23:59 BURN-Proof: Enabled I 00:23:59 Filling Buffer... I 00:24:00 Writing LeadIn... I 00:25:01 Writing Image... I 00:38:54 Synchronising Cache... I 00:40:21 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:16:22 I 00:40:21 Average Write Rate: 5,360 KB/s (3.9x) - Maximum Write Rate: 5,513 KB/s (4.0x) I 00:40:21 Cycling Tray before Verify... W 00:40:30 Waiting for device to become ready... I 00:44:43 Device ready! I 00:44:43 Operation Started! I 00:44:43 Source Device: [1:1:0] SONY DVD RW DW-U18A UYS1 (E (ATA) I 00:44:43 Source Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: MXL RG02) (Speeds: 2x, 4x) I 00:44:43 Verifying Sectors... E 00:44:57 Failed to read Sector 0 - Logical Block Address out of Range E 00:44:57 Failed to Verify Sectors! E 00:44:57 Operation Failed! - Duration: 00:00:14 I 00:44:57 Average Verify Rate: N/A - Maximum Verify Rate: N/A I'm out of Ideas HELP!!!!!!!
First of all get an RW to record to. That way you won't continue to make coasters. Go to + or -R when you have the process figured out. Download a copy of DVDInfoPro to check out one of the discs you're using. Try using a different brand of media. Verbatim or TDK are a good off the shelf choice you can find in most stores. Then go to http://www.dvdshrink.info and check out the quick quides and follow step by step. Try downloading the nero trial and using it. You'll have to go back to where you set the Shrink to burn with Decrypter and reset it to burn with Nero. Going according to the instructions, I've never had Nero and Shrink to fail. Have you read a user guide for these programs or are you trying to use them and learn as you go? While you're at it use Infotools in the Nero toolkit to check your system and the cd/dvd tool to check the drives. Using the infotool you should see ASPI with a green bar for Nero and with XP you see a yellow bar for no system ASPI. If ASPI has been installed to the system you will see green for good or red for corrupted. This was covered earlier. If Decrypter and Shrink continue to be a problem for you, lets do a little test. Go to the Slysoft website and download the AnyDVD and CloneDVD2 trials. Be sure to allow the AnyDVD to run at startup, that way you don't have to worry about it anymore, it's on and you should see the little red fox on the taskbar. Then you can load and run the clonedvd2 without having to mess with the decrypter. Just put in the disc, open clonedvd2 and record. It doesn't get any more simple than that. If you can't record with these simple apps, you have a system or user problem. If you get a recording that works, then you can go back to working with Shrink knowing you don't have a system problem.
Guys I appreciate the help you've given me so far. brobear I have read the user guides for these programs & I actually have copied movies with success like Van Helsing, Day After Tomorrow & Walking Tall just to name a few & that's using Nero with DVD Shrink & because I only have 1 DVD drive I use DVD decrypter to copy the movie on my hard drive & when it's a success I delete the movie. I'm just frustrated that for awhile Nero was working fine with DVD Shrink & Decrypter & now it's failing when I copy the movies. ScubaPete as for my firmware I downloaded that little tool that you suggested & this is what it gave me: [bold]DEVICE: COMPAQ CRD-8322B FIRMWARE VERSION: 1.07[/bold] [bold]DEVICE: SONYDVD RW DW-U18A FIRMWARE VERSION: UYS1[/bold] can anybody tell me if the firmware is up-to-date because I checked the firmware website & it lists UYS1 from June 18th 2004. I've checked the Mfgr's Support section & I can't find anything for my particular DVD Burner. I've checked the Nero version that I have & it is version # 6.3.1.25 is there a newer one & if there is could that possibly be another reason why the copying is failing. BTW is Nero the better product to invest in if I decide to purchase it. What price range am I looking at. Sorry with all the questions it seems like it's taking a long time to figure how these programs work. C Jones
For starters you say you've been using Nero for a while with good success. Then you ask what is the latest version and say you you have 6.3. Then you ask about the purchase. From all that, I'm assuming you were working with a trial version. The thing about Nero trial downloads is that they have to be done every 30 days. Not the days since you put it on the PC but the days since it was put on the website. Unless you selected a burn speed in Nero of 2X this sort of looks like Nero's trial has elapsed and the app has locked you into a default burn mode for Shrink. The newer version is 6.6, so you need to delete what you have and install the new app. Normally one just loads over, but to be safe, you should do a clean install. Delete the Nero programs using Add Remove in the control panel. Do the normal cleaning, run your spyware, adware cleanup. If you don't have any programs use ad-aware and spybot, both free downloads. Run Disk Cleanup (it's under accessories, system tools in the start-> programs folders. Then run your registry cleaner. Then reboot twice. Then download the new trial from Nero's website. If you're not using the latest version of Shrink, you should be. The latest version is 3.2. Now's the time to update it. Also, make sure you have the latest version of DVD Decrypter (3.5.1.0 so it appears you do). There you have a clean install and a clean system. Just don't install the InCD portion of Nero, packet writing software is known to mess with DVD recording. Make sure you reboot the system a couple of times so windows sorts itself out. Just a thought, how large is your hard drive and how much space is currently available? Didn't see that asked anywhere. For a recording suite, I thought I made it plain, if you want a recording suite that does just about everything well, Nero is the bet. If you were doing good recordings with Nero and Shrink and then problems started, something changed, that simple. Possibly just a trial ended, they are unlimited with Nero, not indefinite (30 days). Otherwise, whatever happened to the machine needs to be remedied. You may have added new software or a setting got changed, but something happened. If the system has no problems, the cleanup and the new version downloads should take care of any problems. If you still have problems, it'll be time to start looking at the system. By the way, did you download the Slysoft trials to do that little cross check? I didn't see as how you did that. It was to collect info on your system, not as a joke. If the above doesn't get Shrink and Nero back in action, that bit of info could be helpful.
Hey C Jones, Heh, heh, Youw've done better than I - I checked the Sony site and came up empty BUT looking at the date for your firmware, june 18, 2004 and I would say you should be fine - What I'd like you to do is fine-tune your PC, these are things you should check at least once a month. It's fine to try different proggys but perhaps after we check your basics. Nero comes with it's own ASPI layer BUT it isn't all that great, you may wish to download this ASPI Checker and get a "read" if it's working properly or not - Now we need to see if we have a working ASPI Layer. "Yea right, and ASPI stands for Another Stupid Piece of Insanity, right ?" No, not quite, it stands for "Advanced SCSI Programming Interface". "Well that tells me nothing, what's it do ?" That's a much easier question to answer. It is kind of a "translator" allowing your software to talk your hardware in a manner that your hardware will understand. Let's imagine an Earthman trying to talk to a rock. Now, think of a sledgehammer as being the interface. With the interface in play, the Earthman can tell the rock to disperse into gravel no matter what planet the rock is from, OK ? Good, let's see if we have a sledgehammer - 2. Check for your ASPI Layer. If one isn't present, we'll need to get one and reinstall it, then reboot our PC to allow it to "settle in". ASPI Checker - http://www.adaptec.com/worldwide/su...oduct/EZ-SCSI_5.0&filekey=aspichk.exe&sess=no Force 1.8 ASPI Layer - http://forceaspi18.w.interia.pl/ If you've found you need an ASPI layer OR would like some additional information about it - here you go - http://cd-rw.org/articles/archive/aspisetup.cfm Lastly, when did you last defrag your Hard Drive (HD) ? If you have to stop and think about the last time you did it, then it's way, way overdue. Here we go, (Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter. When it opens, choose your HD, analyses it to see where we stand then if you need it (you probably will) choose Defragment.). After you finish doing it now you might want to think about having "Scheduled Tasks" in your Control Panel do it for you on a daily basis. A fragmented HD not only drastically slows down your system but it can cause all number of things to happen inside your PC, a messed up burn being one of them. Now let's see if everything will work together the way we want it to, OK ? Give it a test run and let us know how you make out - Pete
Seems to be a disagreement over what I'm trying to do, which is make sure the system is clean and there are no corrupted files involved. Plus the program cross check is an easy way to tell if the problem is only with the one app or a system problem. There is method to what I suggested. Fine tuning is exactly what would occur. All the deadwood cleaned out and fresh files installed. Can't get any finer than that. ASPI can sometimes be needed with some equipment and apps. The telltale info here is that the system was working before. With no program changes and no new devices installed, why would a new interface be needed. I have about 5 to 10 recording apps on my machine at all times. I have XP which doesn't normally need the full ASPI layer. Shrink and Nero are there, can't bring myself to delete Shrink, though I don't use it much anymore. I have yet to need the full system ASPI. The only ASPI on my system is that included in Nero. So a sudden need for full system ASPI is questionable. If all else fails, try what's left though and installing ASPI could be the outside possibility. Let us know what happens on that one, I'm curious. It didn't work the last time this problem cropped up. http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/128544 I was just involved in a thread discussing ASPI. There are some good links I noted for ASPI there. Just in case you decide to upgrade the ASPI. Be sure to use the latest version of ForceASPI to install the latest files. One thing about it, it won't hurt your system. Maybe someday I'll need it. Here is part of what I said in that thread: Looks like Pete and I even agree on where to get the forceASPI. Check out the Radified section on ASPI, it gives a good read on what ASPI is all about and even gives intructions for installing. Just remember to use the later version supplied in the link Pete and I gave you.
@ C Jones, . I'm not sure I understood your question - If you want an "all around" group of programs then Nero is a "Best Buy". Example: Nero is made up of these - Nero Start Smart Nero Burning Rom 6 Nero Express 6 NeroVision Express 2 Nero Back it up Nero Showtime Nero SoundTrax Nero Wave Editor 2 Nero Cover Designer Nero Mix Nero Toolkit Nero ImageDrive Nero Recode InCD 4 If you're going to use even a few of these programs like 3 or 4 then by all means, buy it. Nero can do VHS to DVD stuff,MP3 editing, slideshows, re-compiling DVD's and more. Like anything, if you need it then buy it. We could probably find a good price for it for you. If you need is a burner, just a burner then use the free stuff, you can always buy Nero later when you have more $$$$ to spend. DVD Decrypter as "brobear" said, burns a good ISO (one of the two most common formats) and with 2 mouse clicks, DVD Shrink can use it to burn your DVD's automatically. Cheers, Pete
Glad Pete agrees with me on that one. Did you update to the 6.6 Pete? ctljones, since the Nero trial has been used you should know something about it already. Or you can download a new trial of the 6.6 to check it out. I'd advise that because there have been some good improvements over the 6.3. Sort of looked like you were ready for a new trial download anyway. Decrypter is free, so I always keep the latest version of it, though I use it pretty much for it's decryption/ripping capabilities. Files and ISO are the 2 file types mentioned by Pete. Files is the one used by most apps. Shrink and Nero handle ISO and Decrypter burns it as well. So by all means keep a copy of Decrypter. After all, it is free. I suggest Nero exactly because of what Pete says. Nero does a lot of things well. The nice thing is what I pointed out earlier. You can download Nero every 30 days, unlimited trials. So if you're saving money, you can still use Nero, you just need to keep downloading the trial every 30 days until you save up to buy it.
I have a 80 Gig harddrive & I still have 58GB of free space. I've also used the [bold]Infotools in the Nero toolkit[/bold] to check my system and the cd/dvd tool to check the drives & ASPI like you suggested brobear & this is whatI got: [bold]Nero InfoTool 2.27 Drive Information ------------------ Drive : COMPAQ CRD-8322B Type : CD-ROM Drive Firmware Version : 1.07 Buffer Size : 128 KB Date : ? Serial Number Vendor Specific : týð Drive Letter : D:\ Location : 1:0 Mechanism : Tray Read Speed : 32 X Write Speed : n/a Read CD Text : No Return C2 Pointers : No Read CD-R : Yes Read CD-RW : Yes Read DVD-ROM : No Read DVD-RAM : No Read DVD-R : No Read DVD-RW : No Read DVD+R : No Read DVD+RW : No Read DVD+R DL : No Read Digital Audio : Yes Read CD+G : Yes Read VideoCD : Yes Write CD-R : No Write CD-RW : No Write DVD-R : No Write DVD-RW : No Write DVD+R : No Write DVD+RW : No Write DVD+R DL : No Write DVD-RAM : No Buffer Underrun Protection : No Mount Rainier : No Modes : n/a Drive Information ------------------ Drive : SONY DVD RW DW-U18A Type : DVD±R/RW Recorder Firmware Version : UYS1 Buffer Size : 2 MB Date : ? Serial Number Vendor Specific : Feb10 ,2004 Drive Letter : E:\ Location : 1:1 Mechanism : Tray Read Speed : 40 X Write Speed : 40 X Read CD Text : Yes Return C2 Pointers : Yes Read CD-R : Yes Read CD-RW : Yes Read DVD-ROM : Yes Read DVD-RAM : No Read DVD-R : Yes Read DVD-RW : Yes Read DVD+R : Yes Read DVD+RW : Yes Read DVD+R DL : No Read Digital Audio : Yes Read CD+G : Yes Read VideoCD : Yes Write CD-R : Yes Write CD-RW : Yes Write DVD-R : Yes Write DVD-RW : Yes Write DVD+R : Yes Write DVD+RW : Yes Write DVD+R DL : No Write DVD-RAM : No Buffer Underrun Protection : Yes Mount Rainier : No Modes : Packet, TAO, DAO, SAO, RAW SAO, RAW SAO 16, RAW SAO 96, RAW DAO 16, RAW DAO 96 Region Protection Control : RPC II Region : 1 Changes User : 4 Changes Vendor : 4[/bold] This is for ASPI: [bold]Nero InfoTool 2.27 ASPI Information ---------------- System ASPI : ASPI is not installed Nero ASPI : ASPI is installed and working properly WNASPI32.DLL : 2.0.1.68 160016 bytes July 22, 2004[/bold] Thanks for your help ScubaPete & brobear & I will do this stuff that you guys have suggested & I will keep you updated. C Jones
Okay, appears everything is in order from that. The DVD drive is able to read factory ROM discs and write to DVD R/RW media. The ASPI reads okay, unless you're wanting the system ASPI. As I said though, with XP I've had it on the system and now not on the system and I see no difference. With some equipment it can make a difference, which I noted, but not many. Plus, if the system functioned properly before and then acted up, that is not a function of ASPI as the interface is either there or not. It doesn't come and go for no apparent reason.
Hey Brobear I did a clean Install of the latest version of Nero but, the website said in order to get the full use of Nero I had to download all 3 packages of Nero: [bold]Package 1:nero6603 Package 2:NVE30114 Package 3:NeroMIX14026[/bold] Do I need all this to work with DVD Shrink. Can you tell me how to find out if I installed InCD portion of Nero, because it seems that the demo version doesn't give you the option of the Custom Install. I appreciate your help so far Brobear. C Jones
To get the most function from the program load all three segments. That is the trial pack and I don't see InCD listed in it. However, if you want to make doubly sure, you can go into the Control window, open Add Remove programs and see if InCD is listed (Remove if it is). The update package differs, it does have InCD. Seems the trial may not have everything, but it has all the good stuff such as Recode. As I said, you can rip a disc, put it in Recode and it encodes and burns. With Shrink, you open the disc with Shrink and then auto burn with Nero's Burning ROM. (Nero Express is the app to use if you're burning DVDs that have been ripped and stored on the hard drive.) That may have covered a bit more than you asked. To sum up: InCD doesn't appear to be in the trial. Load all packs for full function. To make sure InCD (or any other app not wanted) is no where around, check it out in the ADD Remove program in the Control panel.
Hi Ctljones, ScubaPete asked me to join this thread to see if I can add anything to the subject. Both he and Brobear of given you some excellant adivce. I would like to see a log file from Nero 6.6.0.3, to see if it reports a different error message than what Nero 6.3.1.25 has provided. In the Nero 6 log file, the first error you get is a 'Queue again Later' error message. This means the recorder was busy and could not accept the command, so the command went into a queue to be reissued at a later time in the hopes the drive will be ready to accept commands. But after a set time, the command was issued again, and the process timed out and stopped. But then we have the log file from DVD Decryptor and that shows the Source Image file from the DVD you are backing up was created, but then you when it came to burn to the recorder, it reported a 'Read Sector' error message. Two completely different error messages, that can never the less be related. This could be caused by... 1) Poor Media - try more than one brand of media 2) Old firmware - you already upgraded that 3) Poor power - the power to the recorder could be fluctuating. Make sure that the recorder is not sharing a power connector with any other devices 4) Old drivers for your IDE Controller - does not occur that often any more, but some systems out there still have old VIA chipset drivers, etc. 5) Dirty Optical Head on the Recorder - Use compressed air or one of those Drive Cleaners to clean off the optical head 6) And last, a defective recorder. One thing you might want to try to speed up the debugging process would be if you have a friend with a DVD Recorder, ask to borrow it and see if it shows the same issue or not on your system, using the same programs and source video. If it works with another drive in your system, then you know to check for those issues I listed that can affect your recorders performance. Meaning specifically a dirty optical head. Regards, Craig Ahead Software USA
Thanks Craig for your suggestions I will keep you guys updated. I'm first going to try Brobear's & SubaPete'ssuggestions first with a Rewritable DVD & I Will let you guy know how it went. Later Chris
