CD-Drive Constant Access

[Ugod]

After I finish copying cd's, my CDRW drive doesn't open and the light blinks as if the disk is still being accessed (even when the copy went ok). If I shutdown and start it up again (restart doesn't work) it is fine for another copy, but then I have to shut it down again. So basically, I can't copy more than one CD in a row before having to shut down and start up again. Does anyone know what's causing this?

 

[fgarvb1]

Windows XP Home ED.? per chance?

 

[Ugod]

Windows XP Home ED.? per chance?

Almost, Professional Edition.

 

[Weird Harold]

Does anyone know what's causing this?

I've got a fair idea of what is causing it -- the software is not detecting or not acting on a signal from the drive that indicates completion.

However, that does nothing to help correct the problem. From fgarvb1's question, I suspect that a search of Microsoft's technical assistance site might turn up some information onthe problem and possibly a patch to download.

 

[raven7647]

What burning software are you using? The built-in Win XP crap? If so, check out Microsoft's site for a knowledge-base answer. If you are using third-party burning software, I would recommend reinstalling it.

 

[Ugod]

What burning software are you using? The built-in Win XP crap? If so, check out Microsoft's site for a knowledge-base answer. If you are using third-party burning software, I would recommend reinstalling it.

I'm using Alchohol 120% to burn an image file to disc (game/movie, album). It occurs with the regular built in windows crap too, so I am guessing its not the third-party software. I'll check around Microsoft, but what are the chances they'll actually have something that FIXES things instead of fucks them up....ahh well.

 

[ReadyOne]

If you are creating the CD using "drag and drop" then you have a "write behind" situtation.

You could be using re-writable CD packet software like IN-CD or Direct-CD (did you have to format the CD first?) or the old M$ software that accumumates files in a special folder until you tell it to write the CD.

In either case, it can take a LONG time (20 minutes at 4x) to finish burning a whole CD.

If you're using Nero or EZ CD Creator, the above does not apply.

 

[Ugod]

If you are creating the CD using "drag and drop" then you have a "write behind" situtation.

You could be using re-writable CD packet software like IN-CD or Direct-CD (did you have to format the CD first?) or the old M$ software that accumumates files in a special folder until you tell it to write the CD.

In either case, it can take a LONG time (20 minutes at 4x) to finish burning a whole CD.

If you're using Nero or EZ CD Creator, the above does not apply.

The CD FINISHES copying, and the software informs me of that. If I remove the disc, it is a full copy, but the computer won't relinquish its reading of the disc until I shutdown and start back up.



Further information I've discovered, the CD drive itself dissapears from the device list. I open Device Manager, and do "check for changes" or whatever, and the CD drive is re-added to the list of hardware devices, but it doesn't solve the problem.

 

[Wulf7]

Ok, several questions.

1. Xp Pro, SP1? Latest patches? Search MS's help site/technet. Believe it or not it can actually help sometimes
2. Brand of cdrw drive? This could be a hardware problem and you may just need to update its firmware.
3. Latest version of Alcohol?
4. Type of cd media you are using? Probably not the issue..but doesnt hurt to ask. If its low grade cheapo stuff, it could cause weird problems.


I doubt its 4. My suspicion is that its cranky OS/hardware and or burning software. My first guess would be too look at the cdrw drive manufacturer's website for a firmware update as there could be issues with it and the OS if the drive is disappearing like that.

 

[fgarvb1]

Sometimes my xp pro does that as well as my wifes xp home ed.

I have tried several times to "fix it' with no luck.

I'm sure Bill Gates is at the bottom of it.

Same thing with my DVD burner.

Doesn't do it all the time, only when its most inconvenient.

If you find anything out for sure, please let me know.

My shortcuts to my A,D,& E drive stop working also for no reason too.

 

[Mary Hall]

I thought there was a fuss over this whole burning music to cds issue? The RIAA were getting kinda pissy over it weren`t they?

 

[JoseIsWild]

I have a similar problem, only mine locks up after I ERASE a disc. I get the dialog box stating that the erase has been completed but then I cannot eject the disc or even read or write to it again. I can only restart before I can use it again. I am running Win XP Home on a Dell Dimension. I believe it has done it on both XPs built-in buring software & with Easy CD Creator.

 

[ReadyOne]

There are some drives which need frimware updates to co-exist wtih Roxio. M$ also uses the Roxio engine for teh XP and Media Player.

I know there have been problem in the past where the CD needs to be ejected to reset things, and teh software couldn't make the recorder do so. It revolves around the buring software taking the drive "offline" to windows so Explorer, etc can't access it while it's busy writing, and then getting it back "online". This is why rescanning for devices can get it back.

The original poster uses Alchohol 120%, which I'm not familier with, so I can't say if there are any "well known" problems..

I do endorse the advice about checking the drive firmware level.

Also check if the Alchohol 120 people have a compatability list. Nero and Roxio do, and I think NTI does too. It will give the drivers and level supported.

 

[Wulf7]

Whoa.. XP's built in burning software is roxio? Ugh. EasyCD went downhill a long time I ago, I wouldn't use roxio/easycd even if you paid me. Not when one of their old versions would wipe out a whole drive by accident.

Now there has been some issues with alcohol 120% and similar programs lately. Several games/software won't install or get cranky if they detect that kind of software on your computer (mainly having to do with virtual cd imaging and creating exact copies). And when has the riaa not been pissy about coping music cds?

 

[fgarvb1]

321 Studios has to stop selling their coping software very soon because of a court ruling against them.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/512483.cms


US court bans sale of DVD copying software


REUTERS[ SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2004 09:25:13 PM ]
LOS ANGELES: A federal court has ruled that privately held 321 Studios must stop making software that allows users to copy DVDs, handing Hollywood’s movie studios a big victory in their ongoing battle against copyright piracy.


St Louis-based 321 Studios said it would appeal the ruling by judge Susan Illston of US district court in San Francisco .

Ms Illston barred 321 from selling its DVD copying software within one week. As part of its appeal, 321 said it would seek to stay the ruling so it can continue selling its DVDXCOPY program. “This court enjoins 321, as of seven days from the issuance of this order, from manufacturing, distributing, or otherwise trafficking in any type of DVD circumvention software,” Ms Illston wrote in her opinion.

At stake in the legal battle, the studios argued, were potentially billions of dollars in lost revenue if DVD copying software such as 321’s DVDXCOPY were allowed to be sold. The studios and their representative, The Motion Picture Association of America, claim the industry loses $3bn a year from the copying and resale of analog videotapes. The industry is worried it could lose even more if digital copies of movies are allowed to proliferate more widely on black markets and on the internet.