quote:

---

Originally posted by KCK
I would definitely try other media. Otherwise, apparently there is little you can do.

---

I've been using the same media until the troubles started, with no problems; also, I tried other media - Office Depot "certified to 40x" - and the behavior is the same.
By the way, I still have Veritas drivers installed as "lower filters" at the IDE channel (Veritas is "Backup Exec" software); I haven't seen anywhere that it could cause conflict, could it?
On that subject, when trying to delete the Roxio "filters" registry keys, initially it said "error while trying to delete keys, operation can't be performed"; I retried it several times with no success; then I went back to Regedit, and the keys were gone!

quote:

---

I presume that your hardware configuration has not changed since the time when you didn't have problems, so there is no need for checking IDE cables, chipset drivers, etc.

---

Based on what I've seen in other postings, it won't hurt to check the IDE cable, and even more importantly, the power supply - I'll try to do it in a couple of days and report.

quote:

---

Looking at your logs, I am wondering why the amount of free memory is so low.

---

I am wondering about it too, I'll try to check.

quote:

---

Do you really need Mode 2 and TAO? For data discs, I normally use Mode 1 and DAO (Disc At Once).

---

I thought I needed TAO for multi-session, but recently I've not been doing multi-session, so I guess I'll use DAO. But again, before the "troubles" I used TAO at 40x with no problems.

(in reply to Jcas)

KCK: I've just burned another CD, successful; same media as before, ~600 MB file, DAO, Mode 1, 16x.

Memory (physical) utilization: I ran CacheMan while Nero was burning, and here's the dope: it turns out that Nero eats up all available physical memory while doing the burn. I have ½ Gig of RAM on that PC; phys mem was ~75% free at burn start; when it started doing the file caching, free mem went down to ~15%, and when Nero actually started burning the disk, it went down to less than 1%! Is this normal Nero behavior?
After doing away with the log, Nero released the memory.

I've just tried another burn, same conditions except 20x; it failed again; here's the log:
============================================================
Windows 2000 5.0 IA32
WinAspi: File 'Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=1, 0, 0, 0, size=16384 bytes, created 8/24/1996 11:11:00 AM
ahead WinASPI: File 'C:\Program Files\ahead\Nero\Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=2.0.1.59, size=160016 bytes, created 4/14/2003 12:18:56 AM
Nero Version: 5.5.10.20
Recorder: <PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W4012A>Version: 1.05 - HA 1 TA 0 - 5.5.10.20
Adapter driver: <atapi> HA 1
Drive buffer : 4096kB
Bus Type : default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ATAPI
CD-ROM: <PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W4012A>Version: 1.05 - HA 1 TA 0 - 5.5.10.20
Adapter driver: <atapi> HA 1
Bus Type : default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ATAPI
=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral : WDC WD200BB-00AUA1 atapi Port 0 ID 0 DMA: On
DiskPeripheral : ST34321A atapi Port 0 ID 1 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W4012A atapi Port 1 ID 0 DMA: On
TapePeripheral : TANDBERG SLR5 4/8GB =09: asc Port 2 ID 2 DMA: ?
=======================
AutoRun : 1
Excluded drive IDs: CmdQueuing : 1 CmdNotification: 2
WriteBufferSize: 82837504 (0) Byte
ShowDrvBufStat : 0 EraseSpeed : 0 BUFE : 0
Physical memory : 575MB (589368kB)
Free physical memory: 5MB (5624kB)
Memory in use : 99 %
Uncached PFiles: 0x0
Use Static Write Speed Table: 0
Use Inquiry : 1
Global Bus Type: default (0)
Check supported media : Enabled (1)
Wizard: Off
22.4.2003 CD-ROM (ISO)
11:52:07 PM #1 Text 0 File Isodoc.cpp, Line 7579
Iso document burn settings
------------------------------------------
Determine maximum speed : FALSE
Simulate : FALSE
Write : TRUE
Finalize CD : FALSE
Multisession : FALSE
Burning mode : DAO
Mode : 1
ISO Level : 2 (Max. of 31 chars)
Character set : ISO 9660
Joliet : TRUE
Allow pathdepth more than 8 directories : TRUE
Allow more than 255 characters in path : TRUE
Write ISO9660 ;1 file extensions : TRUE

11:52:07 PM #2 Phase 72 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1655
BURN-Proof activated
11:52:07 PM #3 Text 0 File Reader.cpp, Line 115
Reader running
11:52:07 PM #4 Text 0 File Writer.cpp, Line 125
Writer PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W4012A running
11:52:07 PM #5 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 4563
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)
11:52:07 PM #6 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3726
Turn on Disc-At-Once, using CD-R/RW media
11:52:07 PM #7 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 672
Setup items (original item values)
0: TRM_DATA_MODE1 (CTransferItem) 2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
original CD pos #0 + 358318 (358318) = #358318/79:37.43
relocatable, CD pos for caching/writing not required/required, no patch infos
--------------------------------------------------------------
11:52:10 PM #8 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 215
Last possible write address on media: 359848 (79:59.73)
Last address to be written: 358317 (79:39.42)
11:52:10 PM #9 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 220
Write in overburning mode: FALSE
11:52:10 PM #10 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 1657
Recorder: PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W4012A;
CDR code: 00 97 27 19; OSJ entry from: Plasmon Data systems Ltd.
ATIP Data: Special Info [hex] 1: D0 00 A0, 2: 61 1B 13 (LI 97:27.19), 3: 4F 3B 4A (LO 79:59.74)
Additional Info [hex] 1: 00 00 00 (invalid), 2: 00 00 00 (invalid), 3: 00 00 00 (invalid)
11:52:10 PM #11 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 824
Prepare recorder PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W4012A for write in cue-sheet-DAO
DAO infos:
==========
MCN:
TOCTYPE: 0x0 Session Closed, CD fixated
Tracks 1 to 1:
TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048/0x0, ISRC "", FilePos 0 307200 734142464
11:52:10 PM #12 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 672
Setup items (after recorder preparation)
0: TRM_DATA_MODE1 (CTransferItem)
2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
original CD pos #0 + 358318 (358318) = #358318/79:37.43
relocatable, CD pos for caching/writing not required/required, no patch infos
-> TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 358318 blocks [PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W4012A]
--------------------------------------------------------------
11:52:10 PM #13 Phase 24 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1655
Caching of files started
11:53:54 PM #14 Phase 25 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1655
Caching of files completed
11:53:54 PM #15 Phase 36 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1655
Burn process started at 20x (3,000 KB/s)
11:53:54 PM #16 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 1978
Verifying CD position of item 0 (relocatable, CD pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #0
11:53:54 PM #17 Text 0 File Mmc.cpp, Line 13214
StartDAO : CD-Text - Off
11:53:54 PM #18 Text 0 File Mmc.cpp, Line 17693
Set BUFE: BURN-Proof -> ON
11:53:54 PM #19 Text 0 File Mmc.cpp, Line 13472
CueData, Len=32
41 00 00 14 00 00 00 00
41 01 00 10 00 00 00 00
41 01 01 10 00 00 02 00
41 aa 01 14 00 4f 27 2b
11:57:07 PM #20 SCSI -1135 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1412
SCSI Exec, HA 1, TA 0, LUN 0, buffer 0x025C0000
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x03 (KEY_MEDIUM_ERROR)
Sense Code: 0x0C
Sense Qual: 0x07
CDB Data: 0x2A 0x00 0x00 0x02 0xE3 0x66 0x00 0x00 0x1F 0x00 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0xF0 0x00 0x03 0x00 0x02 0xE3 0xFC 0x0A
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x0C 0x07
11:57:07 PM #21 MMC -1135 File Writer.cpp, Line 333
Write error
11:57:07 PM #22 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 219
all writers idle, stopping conversion
11:57:08 PM #23 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 213
conversion idle, stopping reader
11:57:08 PM #24 Phase 38 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1655
Burn process failed at 20x (3,000 KB/s)
11:57:09 PM #25 Text 0 File Scsicmd.cpp, Line 406
SCSI not using temporary buffers
20 out of 20 temporary buffers allocated
Existing drivers:
File 'Drivers\atapi.sys': Ver=5.00.2195.2247, size=85264 bytes, created 5/4/2001 1:05:02 PM (Adapter driver for rec)
Registry Keys:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\AllocateCDROMs : 0 (Security Option)

(in reply to Jcas)

JackAren:

Did you have Veritas Backup Exec installed before the troubles started? I don't know if it could interfere with Nero. Maybe CCampbell of Ahead, who visits this forum periodically, could tell us. To this end, please list your current UpperFilters and LowerFilters values, as well as all non-Microsoft drivers from Nero InfoTool report; see Q11 in S18 of the InCD guide

http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=9997

It would be best to try your burner on another system. Otherwise, checking the IDE cable and the PSU seems worthwhile. BTW, how is your your tape drive (Tandberg?) connected?

I have no idea why Nero is taking up so much memory on your system. On my XP box with 768MB (minus 32MB for a RAM disc), for a similar WriteBufferSize of about 80MB, I still have 475MB free, memory in use 38%.

(in reply to Jcas)

The problem has now developed further - I had burned six CDs at 16x in a row, successfully, (600 to 700 MB file per disk, each), and then it started failing at 98% done, three times in a row, at 16x. Here is the new Nero fail log:
=================================================================
Windows 2000 5.0
IA32
WinAspi: File 'Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=4.60 (1021), size=45056 bytes, created 9/10/1999 12:06:00 PM
ahead WinASPI: File 'C:\Program Files\ahead\Nero\Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=2.0.1.59, size=160016 bytes, created 4/14/2003 12:18:56 AM
Nero Version: 5.5.10.20
Recorder: <PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W4012A>Version: 1.05 - HA 1 TA 0 - 5.5.10.20
Adapter driver: <atapi> HA 1
Drive buffer : 4096kB
Bus Type : default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ATAPI
CD-ROM: <PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W4012A>Version: 1.05 - HA 1 TA 0 - 5.5.10.20
Adapter driver: <atapi> HA 1
Bus Type : default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ATAPI

=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral : WDC WD200BB-00AUA1 atapi Port 0 ID 0 DMA: On
DiskPeripheral : ST34321A atapi Port 0 ID 1 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W4012A atapi Port 1 ID 0 DMA: On
TapePeripheral : TANDBERG SLR5 4/8GB =09: asc Port 2 ID 2 DMA: ?
=======================

AutoRun : 1
Excluded drive IDs:
CmdQueuing : 1
CmdNotification: 2
WriteBufferSize: 82837504 (0) Byte
ShowDrvBufStat : 0
EraseSpeed : 0
BUFE : 0
Physical memory : 575MB (589368kB)
Free physical memory: 6MB (7032kB)
Memory in use : 98 %
Uncached PFiles: 0x0
Use Static Write Speed Table: 0
Use Inquiry : 1
Global Bus Type: default (0)
Check supported media : Enabled (1)
Wizard: Off

23.4.2003
CD-ROM (ISO)
9:42:27 PM #1 Text 0 File Isodoc.cpp, Line 7579
Iso document burn settings
------------------------------------------
Determine maximum speed : FALSE
Simulate : FALSE
Write : TRUE
Finalize CD : TRUE
Multisession : FALSE
Burning mode : DAO
Mode : 1
ISO Level : 2 (Max. of 31 chars)
Character set : ISO 9660
Joliet : TRUE
Allow pathdepth more than 8 directories : TRUE
Allow more than 255 characters in path : TRUE
Write ISO9660 ;1 file extensions : TRUE

9:42:27 PM #2 Phase 72 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1655
BURN-Proof activated

9:42:27 PM #3 Text 0 File Reader.cpp, Line 115
Reader running

9:42:27 PM #4 Text 0 File Writer.cpp, Line 125
Writer PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W4012A running

9:42:27 PM #5 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 4563
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

9:42:27 PM #6 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3726
Turn on Disc-At-Once, using CD-R/RW media

9:42:27 PM #7 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 672
Setup items (original item values)
0: TRM_DATA_MODE1 (CTransferItem)
2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
original CD pos #0 + 359333 (359333) = #359333/79:51.8
relocatable, CD pos for caching/writing not required/required, no patch infos
--------------------------------------------------------------

9:42:28 PM #8 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 215
Last possible write address on media: 359841 (79:59.66)
Last address to be written: 359332 (79:53.07)

9:42:28 PM #9 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 220
Write in overburning mode: FALSE

9:42:28 PM #10 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 1657
Recorder: PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W4012A;
CDR code: 00 97 28 22; OSJ entry from: Multi Media Masters && Machinary SA
ATIP Data:
Special Info [hex] 1: C0 00 80, 2: 61 1C 16 (LI 97:28.22), 3: 4F 3B 43 (LO 79:59.67)
Additional Info [hex] 1: 00 00 00 (invalid), 2: 00 00 00 (invalid), 3: 00 00 00 (invalid)

9:42:28 PM #11 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 824
Prepare recorder PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W4012A for write in cue-sheet-DAO
DAO infos:
==========
MCN:
TOCTYPE: 0x0 Session Closed, CD fixated
Tracks 1 to 1:
TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048/0x0, ISRC "", FilePos 0 307200 736221184

9:42:28 PM #12 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 672
Setup items (after recorder preparation)
0: TRM_DATA_MODE1 (CTransferItem)
2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
original CD pos #0 + 359333 (359333) = #359333/79:51.8
relocatable, CD pos for caching/writing not required/required, no patch infos
-> TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 359333 blocks [PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W4012A]
--------------------------------------------------------------

9:42:28 PM #13 Phase 24 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1655
Caching of files started

9:47:12 PM #14 Phase 25 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1655
Caching of files completed

9:47:13 PM #15 Phase 36 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1655
Burn process started at 16x (2,400 KB/s)

9:47:14 PM #16 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 1978
Verifying CD position of item 0 (relocatable, CD pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #0

9:47:14 PM #17 Text 0 File Mmc.cpp, Line 13214
StartDAO : CD-Text - Off

9:47:14 PM #18 Text 0 File Mmc.cpp, Line 17693
Set BUFE: BURN-Proof -> ON

9:47:14 PM #19 Text 0 File Mmc.cpp, Line 13472
CueData, Len=32
41 00 00 14 00 00 00 00
41 01 00 10 00 00 00 00
41 01 01 10 00 00 02 00
41 aa 01 14 00 4f 35 08

9:52:38 PM #20 SCSI -1135 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1412
SCSI Exec, HA 1, TA 0, LUN 0, buffer 0x025C0000
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x03 (KEY_MEDIUM_ERROR)
Sense Code: 0x0C
Sense Qual: 0x07
CDB Data: 0x2A 0x00 0x00 0x05 0x69 0x50 0x00 0x00 0x1F 0x00 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0xF0 0x00 0x03 0x00 0x05 0x69 0xE6 0x0A
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x0C 0x07

9:52:38 PM #21 MMC -1135 File Writer.cpp, Line 333
Write error

9:52:38 PM #22 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 219
all writers idle, stopping conversion

9:52:38 PM #23 Phase 38 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1655
Burn process failed at 16x (2,400 KB/s)

9:52:39 PM #24 Text 0 File Scsicmd.cpp, Line 406
SCSI not using temporary buffers
20 out of 20 temporary buffers allocated


Existing drivers:
File 'Drivers\ASPI32.SYS': Ver=4.60 (1021), size=25244 bytes, created 9/10/1999 12:06:00 PM
File 'Drivers\atapi.sys': Ver=5.00.2195.2247, size=85264 bytes, created 5/4/2001 1:05:02 PM (Adapter driver for rec)

Registry Keys:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\AllocateCDROMs : 0 (Security Option)

quote:

---

Originally posted by KCK
Did you have Veritas Backup Exec installed before the troubles started? I don't know if it could interfere with Nero. Maybe CCampbell of Ahead, who visits this forum periodically, could tell us.

---

Affirmative, Veritas Backup Exec was installed before the problems started. I also did some registry tweaks related to TCP/IP (the machine serves as NAT/ICS), I don't think they could have affected Nero burning.

quote:

---

To this end, please list your current UpperFilters and LowerFilters values,

---

quote:

---

as well as all non-Microsoft drivers from Nero InfoTool report

---

here goes:
=============================================================
Drive Information
-----------------
Drive : PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W4012A
Type : CD-RW Recorder
Firmware Version : 1.05 Buffer Size : 4 MB
Date : 03-06-03 Serial Number : 479532
Drive Letter : D:\ Location : 1:0
Mechanism : Tray Read Speed : 40, 32, 24, 8, 4 X
Write Speed : 40, 32, 24, 20, 16, 8, 4 X


Interface Information
---------------------
Adapter 1
---------
Description : Primary IDE Channel

Driver
Description : System32\DRIVERS\atapi.sys
Company : Microsoft Corporation
Version : 5.00.2195.2247
Description : IDE/ATAPI Port Driver

Attached Devices
Description : Master: WDC WD200BB-00AUA1
Type : Disk Drive
DMA : On
Description : Slave: ST34321A
Type : Disk Drive
DMA : On

Adapter 2
---------
Description : Secondary IDE Channel

Driver
Description : System32\DRIVERS\atapi.sys
Company : Microsoft Corporation
Version : 5.00.2195.2247
Description : IDE/ATAPI Port Driver

Attached Devices
Description : Master: PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W4012A
Type : CD-Rom Drive
DMA : On
Autorun : On

Adapter 3
---------
Description : Advansys SCSI Host Adapter

Driver
Description : System32\DRIVERS\asc.sys
Company : Advanced System Products, Inc.
Version : 2.9I-MS
Description : AdvanSys SCSI Controller Driver

Attached Devices
Description : ID 2 (0): TANDBERG SLR5 4/8GB =09:
Type : Disk Drive


Software Information
--------------------
Operating System : Windows 2000 Professional (5.00.2195 Service Pack 2)
ASPI : Win32 Nero Aspi Library 2.0.1.59 Ahead Software AG

Description : Nero - Burning Rom
Version : 5, 5, 10, 20
Company : Ahead Software AG

Description : PlexTools
Version : 1, 21, 0, 0
Company : Plextor SA/NV


Driver Information
------------------
Driver : asc
Description : AdvanSys SCSI Controller Driver
Version : 2.9I-MS
Company : Advanced System Products, Inc.

Driver : ASCTRM
Description : TR Manager
Version : 5.00.2195.1
Company : Windows (R) 2000 DDK provider

Driver : ASPI32
Description : ASPI for WIN32 Kernel Driver
Version : 4.60 (1021)
Company : Adaptec

Driver : atapi
Description : IDE/ATAPI Port Driver
Version : 5.00.2195.2247
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Cdrom
Description : SCSI CD-ROM Driver
Version : 5.00.2165.1
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Disk
Description : PnP Disk Driver
Version : 5.00.2195.2735
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : dmio
Description : NT Disk Manager I/O Driver
Version : 2195.2104.297.3
Company : VERITAS Software Corp.

Driver : dmload
Description : NT Disk Manager Startup Driver
Version : 2195.2104.297.3
Company : VERITAS Software Corp.

Driver : drvmcdb
Description : Device Driver
Version : 3.20.53a
Company : VERITAS Software, Inc.

Driver : Ftdisk
Description : FT Disk Driver
Version : 5.00.2187.1
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : hardlock
Description : Hardlock Device Driver for Windows NT
Version : 2.28
Company : Aladdin Knowledge Systems

Driver : HidUsb
Description : USB Miniport Driver for Input Devices
Version : 5.00.2142.1
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : i8042prt
Description : i8042 Port Driver
Version : 5.00.2195.2936
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : IntelIde
Description : Intel PCI IDE Driver
Version : 5.00.2195.2104
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : IPSEC
Description : IPSEC Driver (US/Canada Only, Not for Export)
Version : 5.00.2195.2940
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : isapnp
Description : PNP ISA Bus Driver
Version : 5.00.2195.2104
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Npfs
Description : NPFS Driver
Version : 5.00.2147.1
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Parport
Description : Parallel Port Driver
Version : 5.00.2195.2104
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : PartMgr
Description : Partition Manager
Version : 5.00.2152.1
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : ParVdm
Description : VDM Parallel Driver
Version : 5.00.2135.1
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : PCI
Description : NT Plug and Play PCI Enumerator
Version : 5.00.2195.2886
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Rdbss
Description : Redirected Drive Buffering SubSystem Driver
Version : 5.00.2195.2780
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Serial
Description : Serial Device Driver
Version : 5.00.2195.2780
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Tcpip
Description : TCP/IP driver
Version : 5.00.2195.2910
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : msvcrt.dll
Version : 6.10.8924.0

Driver : msvcirt.dll
Version : 6.10.8637.0

Driver : mfc42.dll
Version : 6.00.8665.0

Driver : msvcp60.dll
Version : 6.00.8972.0

Driver : ole32.dll
Version : 5.00.2195.2887

Driver : OLEPRO32.DLL
Version : 5.0.4517

Driver : oledlg.dll
Version : 1.0

Driver : advapi32.dll
Version : 5.00.2195.2867

Driver : comctl32.dll
Version : 5.81

Driver : SETUPAPI.DLL
Version : 5.00.2195.2663


ASPI Information
----------------
System ASPI

WNASPI32.DLL : 4.60 (1021) 45056 bytes September 10, 1999
ASPI32.SYS : 4.60 (1021) 25244 bytes September 10, 1999
WINASPI.DLL : 4.60 (1021) 5600 bytes September 10, 1999
WOWPOST.EXE : 4.60 (1021) 4672 bytes September 10, 1999

Nero ASPI

WNASPI32.DLL : 2.0.1.59 160016 bytes April 14, 2003

quote:

---

BTW, how is your your tape drive (Tandberg?) connected?

---

It's a SCSI tape, using an Advansys SCSI controller card.

quote:

---

I have no idea why Nero is taking up so much memory on your system. On my XP box with 768MB (minus 32MB for a RAM disc), for a similar WriteBufferSize of about 80MB, I still have 475MB free, memory in use 38%.

---

Could Nero be leaking memory? Are you using 5.5.10.20?

I also did a speed test with Nero CD Speed; here's the report:



Do you see any abnormalities?

Thanks for your help and attention.

(in reply to Jcas)

The links to pictures (?) for upper/lower filters and Nero CD Speed report don't work.

Can't you connect your burner to another PC? This might help in detecting whether your problems are due to the burner rather than to the OS and the remaining software and hardware.

I'm using Nero 5.5.10.20 on my XP box, and I've never heard about Nero taking up almost all memory as in your case. This is really strange.

Another strange thing I've noticed in your latest log is that caching of files took almost five minutes. What kind of files were you burning and from what source? A network drive perhaps?

It seems the burn failed before starting to write the lead-out.

As for the Nero InfoTool report, you could remove irrelevant items to save space (you may edit your posts via the third icon).

The Driver Information section doesn't list anything suspicious (although I have no idea whether Real Network's ASCTRM and Aladdin's HARDLOCK can be aggressive).

BTW, if I were you, I would upgrade from SP2 to SP3 for security reasons.

(in reply to Jcas)

quote:

---

Originally posted by KCK
The links to pictures (?) for upper/lower filters and Nero CD Speed report don't work.

---

Sorry about that. I've edited the post, fixed the links.

quote:

---

Another strange thing I've noticed in your latest log is that caching of files took almost five minutes. What kind of files were you burning and from what source? A network drive perhaps?

---

Affirmative. From a network drive, on another computer on the internal LAN.

quote:

---

As for the Nero InfoTool report, you could remove irrelevant items to save space.

---

Done.

quote:

---

The Driver Information section doesn't list anything suspicious (although I have no idea whether Real Network's ASCTRM and Aladdin's HARDLOCK can be aggressive).

---

How do I remove drivers if I want to (for example, these two drivers)? Just erase the files from the winnt\system32\drivers directory, or also delete some registry keys?

(in reply to Jcas)

Concerning the Veritas Backup Exec driver drvmcdb.sys listed in LowerFilters, could you check whether its version 3.20.53a is the most recent available from Veritas? See the MS KB article 269696:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=269696

Since my previous question and your answer on Backup Exec were not clear, let me ask again. Did your troubles start immediately after installing Backup Exe, or after some period in which Nero worked fine and no other hardware or software changes occured?

As for the Nero CD Speed picture, do you get similar results for 40x?

For testing purposes, please use files from your local discs. Since Nero caches files from network drives, this shouldn't matter, but it's better to isolate network issues for testing.

Concerning the Real Network's ASCTRM and Aladdin's HARDLOCK drivers, I wouldn't worry about them unless your troubles started after installing some software which came with these drivers. Apparently Asctrm.sys provides DRM for some versions of Real Player and possibly related software, whereas Hardlock.sys is used in copy protection schemes by many companies. In such cases it would be better to identify which programs installed these drivers, and then to uninstall them via Add/Remove Programs. Of course, you can always remove (or just rename) these drivers and delete their keys in the registry, but probably their parent software would stop working afterwards.

Well, two of my former questions remain:

1. Can't you connect your burner to another PC? This might help in detecting whether your problems are due to the burner rather than to the OS and the remaining software and hardware.

2. Why don't you upgrade from SP2 to SP3? This needn't help directly with burning problems, but maybe memory management could change. Further, don't forget that SP2 is much less secure than SP3 even when you just browse the internet.

(in reply to Jcas)

quote:

---

Originally posted by KCK
Did your troubles start immediately after installing Backup Exe, or after some period in which Nero worked fine and no other hardware or software changes occured?

---

I've installed Backup Exec ~6 Mo. ago; burner troubles started ~ one Mo. ago.

Yesterday I installed Roxio EasyCD Creator 5 (upgraded to latest version) and had write errors there too. (in the middle of the CD; with Nero it recently tended to occur at 98-99% complete)

quote:

---

As for the Nero CD Speed picture, do you get similar results for 40x?

---

CD Speed tries to go maximum speed; it seems that for some reason, speed doesn't go above 32x. IMO this could point to a hardware problem. The burner had the problem recently that the tray, going in, would often get stuck at the last millimeter, do some rattling noise, and you had to help it get closed by "tapping" on its front panel. I took the PC to the dealer's lab today. They said this behavior could point to some hardware trouble; they took the burner off the PC (the burner was purchased last September so it's still under warranty) and they're shipping it to the Plextor dealer for testing/replacement. They checked the power supply and IDE cable, they were fine.

quote:

---

For testing purposes, please use files from your local discs. Since Nero caches files from network drives, this shouldn't matter, but it's better to isolate network issues for testing.

---

I burned two CD's at the lab, at 16x, local files, with no problems; interestingly, the cache increase/lowering of available phys mem to ~0 didn't occur! This reminds me that about a month ago I was tweaking the registry to optimize networking (that machine serves as ICS), and increased NIC system buffers big way; do you think this has something to do with it?

quote:

---

2. Why don't you upgrade from SP2 to SP3? This needn't help directly with burning problems, but maybe memory management could change. Further, don't forget that SP2 is much less secure than SP3 even when you just browse the internet.

---

Do you know what are the major security enhancements? An "afficionado" system manager told me once (or I had read it on the Net) that it's not a good idea to upgrade to sp3 due to bugginess (maybe that's not true any more?); also, I'm using ZA Pro on a PPPoE/ICS gateway, plus PestPatrol, so I tend to think this is a reasonable protection level, isn't it?

I'll post news when the burner returns from shop. In any case, I greatly appreciate your interest and investment of time in this thread - Jack

(in reply to Jcas)

Thanks for reporting back.

If the drive is not replaced by the Plextor dealer but only repaired, make sure it is tested at the local dealer as well before accepting it.

Maybe your network "optimization" did cause Nero's taking up almost all available memory. Could you describe your registry tweaks or provide some pointers? Did these tweaks give any performance improvements? My own tunings have been restricted to MTU and RWIN (DrTCP). What NICs are you using?

As for SP3, I don't have any personal experience with W2K (98SE and XP Pro only), but according to many trustworthy users there is no danger in upgrading from SP2 to SP3. ZA Pro and PestPatrol may be needed under SP3 as well, because they cater for "external" security, but not for "internal" security holes at the OS level (Internet Explorer, JAVA, etc.).

(in reply to Jcas)

Hi, folks.

Sorry so long between posts. Especially sorry to not respond to JackAren in a timely manner. But, honestly, Jack, there's people here who's technical knowledge dwarfs mine, and they are more helpful than most tech support departments for that soft/hardware you purchased! The exception to that statement are the Nero folks (CCampbell?) that hang out here.

Okay, lemme catch you up with what I've found since my last episode...
CD burning/ripping bites.
There, got that outa my system. LOL

Seriously. Though I've tried numerous work arounds, my PlexWriter 8/20 will NOT write over 74 mins without significant errors. The latest line of thought from Plextor is it's because the 8/20 pre-dates greater-than-74-min CDs. That's wonderful news so I'll be buying a new one soon. (Plextor again, or do some of you have recommends that aren't as pricey?) Now, this whole "not more than 74 mins" of recording on the Plextor seems to fit into the fact that I can't seem to rip any CD that's longer than 74 mins, either. Yeah...makes sense, right? Not so fast, there, buck-o.

I can't rip any CD that is greater than 74 mins on my ASUS 52x year old drive, either! Yep, you heard right. Unless you can tell me the Plextor's talking to the ASUS, saying, "Let's really tow with this owners mind," then something is surely fishy around here.

I go back to the same thing I *think* I stated months ago...
I had no problems ripping and/or burning any amount (time) UNTIL I DOWNLOADED AND INSTALLED THE ROXIO UPDATE! Back in Jan or Feb of 2002 I updated to the latest through their website. Since that day I have had problems burning and ripping. I used to use Office Max or Office Depot or Verbatim CD-Rs (read: cheap) and had zero problems. I burned maybe ten coasters in the years since I installed the Plextor. Since that particular Roxio update, it's been nothing BUT trouble. Here's another kicker for you...

My wife's system which is near identical to mine and has the same CD-ROM. And using a generic ripper from ZDnet/Cnet, I can rip anything with no problems. I am now afraid to put the Plextor in her system and burn from there simply because I don't want it telling here ASUS 52x to no longer rip CDs greater than 74 mins long. :-)

Here's another little interesting tidbit: I (again) updated Roxio months ago. I just did the latest update last weekend...so this error started two updates ago. (Have I lost you, yet?) Once I did that update (Dec '02 or Jan '03), suddenly the printing of the track listing stopped. I can print the cover, but absolutely, no way, will it print the actual tracks on the disc! I can put them in manually, or let it grab from CDDB, doesn't matter. I could see them on the screen, but it always printed as blank (with cut-out lines, thank you). NOW, though, with the latest update, the freakin' track listing isn't showing up on the screen, either! Yep, it'll still print the cut-out lines, but nothing else on the track listing part of the card.

So, I go back to ROXIO being the majority of my problem. Only now there is no way to roll back to the original dll's, etc, from the 'good version' of Roxio as a simple re-install of the out-of-the-box CD won't overwrite the "whatever" files that run Roxio.

Frustrated beyond belief,
Stephen

(in reply to Jcas)

Hi JackAren,

Sorry, I've been on the road so have not been able to attend this forum as much as I would like. [V]

But you have been in good hands with KCK and others. Normally we do not have issues with Vertias/Sonic's software, but anything can happen. And it is not normal for Nero to use so much of your systems Memory. You mention that you are using files from a Network drive, do you have it cacheing to your C: or other Hard Drive first? Nero does have an option that allows you to cache Network files to your Computers C: or other Hard Drive before burning to CD with Nero. You may wish to change this setting under CDROM(ISO)->Misc settings. If your system is fast enough, you may wish to disable the 'Cache files from disk and Network' option, or if it's disabled try enableing it. If you have a large number of small files being copied you may wish to increase the option for 'Cache files smaller than'64KB to maybe 1024kb, etc.

Also, we have a new version of Nero 5.5.10.28 posted on our website you may wish to upgrade too. Though I doubt this will address your issue in any way, but it can't hurt.

And you may wish to temporarily uninstall the Veritas/Sonic software and then go to our Nero website and run the RegistryChecker program to remove any filters from the Lower/Upper registry. And see if this improves your performance any.

I'm sure you've closed any programs in the background. If not, you can try using a software called EndItAll and this will assist you in making sure all un-needed programs are not running in the background. You can do a search for it at www.google.com, but be careful with this program of course.

And last, as KCK has recommended, it would help to take the Recorder and Nero to another system and test to see if they work fine there. Just to help isolate the issue, to see if the problem is limited to this one system or if we have other issues.

Regards,

Craig

(in reply to Jcas)

quote:

---

Originally posted by CCampbell
You mention that you are using files from a Network drive, do you have it cacheing to your C: or other Hard Drive first? ...
If you have a large number of small files being copied you may wish to increase the option for 'Cache files smaller than'64KB to maybe 1024kb, etc.

---

I'm caching 600-700 MB single files to G:. I'll try to disable the caching. The recorder is out for maintenance, the dealer said it will be replaced, they are waiting for shipment of that specific model, Plextor 4012A (IDE). Once it's back, I'll report results to this forum.

quote:

---

... then go to our Nero website and run the RegistryChecker program to remove any filters from the Lower/Upper registry.

---

Can you please provide the link to that program?

quote:

---

Originally posted by Stephensch
I had no problems ripping and/or burning any amount (time) UNTIL I DOWNLOADED AND INSTALLED THE ROXIO UPDATE!

---

I think my troubles started after I've installed Windows Media Player 9, which installs Roxio drivers automatically. I think I did that somewhere between 12/2002 and 2/2003. Recently, when wrestling with the burner problems, I did delete those drivers from their folder, and also deleted the appropriate "upper and lower filters" registry keys, but it didn't help. Another suspect direction is that I had done some registry tweaks designed to optimize networking - mainly increasing NIC buffers - (the machine serves as ICS/NAT) - I'm trying to identify and reproduce those tweaks, I'll report.

Stephensch: your'e saying you are using Roxio, but the log you posted on 11/5/2002 was a Nero log

(in reply to Jcas)

JackAren:

Once your burner is back, if you still have problems, then CCampbell's suggestions may become part of further systematic troubleshooting.

In the meantime, it would be best to try to clarify the network tweaks (and perhaps upgrade to SP3).

Nero RegistryChecker is available when you choose "Utilities" in the drop-down box on Ahead's download page

http://www.ahead.de/en/index.html#download

or directly from

ftp://ftp6.nero.com/RegistryChecker.exe

I'm not sure if it will help you, since you already know how to correct lower/upper filters, and they look fine right now, but it could save you some registry editing if you decided to remove Backup Exec.

stephensch:

Your wishes aren't really clear.

If you want to replace your burner, I'd get a (possibly re-badged) Lite-On (cheap, good, C1/C2 error reporting, etc.).

If you wish to get rid of Roxio's software on your XP box (either because you'd like to try Nero again, or to clean up before installing Roxio from scratch), you may follow the advices in

http://the-predator.tripod.com/dell/ecd6.htm#45-0-9

http://www.plextor.com/english/support/faqs/SW00018.htm

http://www.plextor.com/english/support/faqs/SW00017.htm

as well as in section S11 of the InCD troubleshooting guide

http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=9572

(in reply to Jcas)

quote:

---

Originally posted by KCK
Maybe your network "optimization" did cause Nero's taking up almost all available memory. Could you describe your registry tweaks or provide some pointers? Did these tweaks give any performance improvements? My own tunings have been restricted to MTU and RWIN (DrTCP). What NICs are you using?

---

Here are the registry tweaks:
(please note that:
a. The machine has 512 MB phys RAM;
b. Nero eats up all available RAM when it caches 600-700 MB long files prior to burning; then holds it and releases the memory only after completing burning;
c. I'm using 2 NICs for ICS/LAN NAT: a 3Com Etherlink 3C905C-TX and a 3Com Etherlink 3C905B-TX)
Registry tweaks:
==============================================================
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SessionManager\MemoryManagement\PagedPoolSize; Default: 0; I set it to: 192,000,000
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\ForwardBufferMemory; Default: 74,240; I set it to: 299,008
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\NumForwardPackets; Default: 50; I set it to: 1,168
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\DefaultTTL; Default: doesn't exist; I set it to: 255
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\NumTcbTablePartitions; Default: 4; I set it to: 16
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\MaxFreeTwTcbs; Default: 2000; I set it to: 400,000
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\MaxHashTableSize; Default: 512; I set it to: 65,536
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\TcpTimedWaitDelay; Default: 240; I set it to: 30

Thanks for all the help - JackAren

(in reply to Jcas)

JackAren:

Apparently your PagedPoolSize tweak is not related to the rest. Do you have any reason for choosing this particular value of PagedPoolSize over the default value? I'm asking because many users follow blindly advices given in various tweaking guides, which in many cases are based on urban myths instead of careful testing. Let me just say that I've never employed any memory-related tweaks on my 98SE and XP boxes.

Similarly, what was the source for your TCP/IP registry tweaks? Typical sources, such as

http://rdweb.cns.vt.edu/public/notes/win2k-tcpip.htm

http://snakefoot.fateback.com/tweak/winnt/network.html

http://people.internet2.edu/~shalunov/writing/tcp-perf.html

concentrate on other parameters, which seem to be more important (e.g., GlobalMaxTcpWindowsSize, TcpWindowSize, Tcp1323Opts). The meanings and default values of TCP/IP parameters can be found in "MS Win2K TCP/IP Implementation Details":

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/itsolutions/network/deploy/depovg/tcpip2k.asp

Note that MS's defaults given there don't always agree with yours.

Did you really get improved network performance with these tweaks? In what sense? What did you use to measure transfer speeds, etc.?

My advice would be to go back to the default values. If Nero stops eating up all available RAM, and if you really think that such tweaks could help, you could then reintroduce these tweaks one by one, each time checking if Nero is still OK.

Well, maybe these tweaks are intended to help in ICS. Here I wonder why do you have to use ICS at all. Home routers with 4 or 8 ports have recently become quite cheap, there are versions for cable/DSL/ISDN, some of them include print servers, they are quiet and consume much less power than a computer running ICS. I've been very happy with my SMC Barricade 7004ABR router at home.

(in reply to Jcas)

OK gang, here's the latest upshot:

I got the Plextor 4012A burner back from the dealer; turns out they replaced it with a factory "Warranty Replacement Unit" (which means, I think, not officially new, but as good as new).
Well: it's working perfectly. No problems at all. I'm (almost) not even getting "underrun was prevented x times" messages. The only thing is, when I'm trying to burn at 40x, it says "burning was done at 32x by PowerRec" (in other words, PowerRec determined that the burning must be done at 32x max, and set it so). I think that was the case even in the distant past, but in previous Nero versions it wasn't that verbose.

Furthermore, it is working problem-free in the following environment:

• It's a 350MHz P II machine with ~512MB phys RAM
• ICS is functioning in the background, downloading files, serving one or two other stations on the LAN
• I have installed Roxio Easy CD Creator 5, so all the Roxio drivers are in there, and, for example, when you insert a CD, the Roxio splash screen always comes up and you have to squash it
• Many IE windows are simultaneously open
• Zone Alarm Pro, McAfee anti virus and PestPartol services are all running, gobbling up CPU cycles
• Nero still eats up all available phys RAM and gives it back after burning
• DMA on the burner channel is on

My conclusion from this whole ordeal: the combination Plextor/Nero (and Plextor/EasyCD Creator, for that matter) is gravely lacking in hardware error reporting (aka "maintainability" in engineering). If I had realized it is clearly a faulty burner, it would have saved me (and perhaps you) many precious hours.

Replying to some comments:

quote:

---

Originally posted by KCK
Do you have any reason for choosing this particular value of PagedPoolSize over the default value?

---

I took it from: http://www.nwfusion.com/reviews/2000/0124revtuning.html

quote:

---

Typical sources, such as
http://rdweb.cns.vt.edu/public/notes/win2k-tcpip.htm
http://snakefoot.fateback.com/tweak/winnt/network.html
http://people.internet2.edu/~shalunov/writing/tcp-perf.html
concentrate on other parameters, which seem to be more important

---

I visited these URLs, they seem pretty interesting, I'm going to use some of them. My RWIN size - one of the most important parapeters - was taken from a DSL Tweak test I did.

quote:

---

Did you really get improved network performance with these tweaks?

---

I tend to think so. I haven't done rigorous comparative network performance testing, but I feel marked network surfing improvement, in a 750k ADSL connection. (I've been considering upgrading to 1,500k, but I'm putting it off since it seems to me that the DSL bandwidth isn't the bottleneck at present).

quote:

---

Home routers with 4 or 8 ports have recently become quite cheap, there are versions for cable/DSL/ISDN

---

My ADSL modem is Alcatel "Touch Home", I think I've read somewhere that Alcatel "Touch Pro" can function as NAT/ICS; if so, I'll investigate its cost.

Anyway, I'd like to thank everybody who has invested time, attention and effort trying to help on this thread, especially KCK, Craig CCampbell, and Stephensch - I have learned a lot and hopefully many others.

(in reply to Jcas)