Hi there, can anyone help me. I have a 'NEC DVD RW ND-2500A' . It is on my 3 month old computer. The computer had 'Pinnacle Expression' software already installed. I finnally have enough footage from my cam-corder, and I thought I would edit it and burn a copy onto a DVD. My problem is that when Expression starts, a box comes up with the following:
'No cd-r or dvd-r writer has been detected'. you will be able to edit your movie but until a disk writer has been properly installed and configured no disk can be burned'
I have checked the drivers for the dvd-rw and they seem ok. It plays cd's and dvd's fine and will format disks but no burn.
I have a feeling I am missing something really obvious. Can anyone help?


Win XP
Athlon 64 2.4ghz
1024MB RAM
400GB hard drive

[Deleted by Admins]

(in reply to aslok)

hi minos, thanks for replying.
Well I do have admin privaleges,
I have jus done a 15 min crash course on ASPI, and I do believe that I dont have Aspi installed. I think I have IMAPI. Would you recommend I install ASPI?
I dont have any other burn software yet, but I could d/load some free program as a last resort.

(in reply to Deleted User)

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(in reply to aslok)

hi again minos,
I have d/loaded power producer, and this program also doesnt see my DVD-RW.
Just one question. Is ASPI very difficult to install once d/loaded, or is there simple steps to insert it in the correct place?
Anyway thanks for your help so far, I intend to solve this if its the last thing I do

(in reply to aslok)

[Deleted by Admins]

(in reply to aslok)

Hi again, I have installed ASPI ( it shows up in my drivers) and guess what. It still does'nt work. Someone recommended enabling SMART in BIOS which I have done. I have opened up the computer and checked the connections. I am starting to think that maybe the hardware is at fault, although the RW performs all other functions it is supposed to.
Do you have any other suggestions.

(in reply to aslok)

[Deleted by Admins]

(in reply to aslok)

No, This is the only PC I have, and the few people that i know with pc's, own antique machines.
I have been scouring the net for some kind of diagnostic tool that may help, not much luck. Although i found 'software sandra' which is a great bit of kit that i discovered yesterday, and did some benchmark tests on the RW this is the result. Notice the warning near the end of the results. I dont know how to enable bus mastering

Test Status
SMP Test : No
Total Test Threads : 1
SMT Test : No
Dynamic MP/MT Load Balance : No
Processor Affinity : No
Windows Disk Cache Used : No
Use Overlapped I/O : Yes
IO Queue Depth : 8 request(s)
Disc Tested : Video DVD
Test File Size : 1024MB

Benchmark Breakdown
Drive Speed : 1X DVD speed
Track Speed : 2006rpm (estimated)
Buffered Read : 1545 kB/s
Sequential Read : 2006 kB/s
Random Read : 799 kB/s
Average Access Time : 385 ms (estimated)

Drive
Drive : _NEC DVD_RW ND-2500A

Performance Tips
Notice 5008 : To change benchmarks, click Options.
Notice 5004 : Synthetic benchmark. May not tally with 'real-life' performance.
Notice 5006 : Only compare the results with ones obtained using the same version!
Tip 5202 : Use cache on to measure Windows performance.
Tip 5303 : To test data read performance, use a data CD.
Warning 5206 : Low Disk index. Check DMA bus-mastering is enabled.
Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip.

I was going to do a 'file system benchmark test' showing how my file systems connect to the RW, but the RW drive wasnt an option. All other drives were listed?

(in reply to aslok)

Oh, and one more thing, I cant figure out how to disable IMAPI, any suggestions?

(in reply to aslok)

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(in reply to aslok)

Well I think its about time to admit defeat, I will just have to sort this out with the company that sold me this heap. Thanks for the advice, at least I have learn't more about drivers.

(in reply to aslok)

[Deleted by Admins]

(in reply to aslok)

Ha Ha.................Result.. I just burned a CD with nero. Thanks Minos, I nearly gave up on it. Looks like my RW works fine. It took 2 hours to d/load 'Nero StartSmart. It likes my RW. Thanks again

(in reply to Deleted User)

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(in reply to aslok)

If you have registered your Pinnacle software with www.pinnaclesys.com you can download the latest driver patch which should make your software recognise your 2500A. I had the same problem with Pinnacle Instant CD/DVD until I downloaded and installed the driver update. Now everything works with my burner.

(in reply to Deleted User)