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May 23rd, 2004 21:00
EasyCD 5 no longer writes data DVD properly. NEC ND-1100A
NEC DVD+RW ND-1100A drive with firmware 10GE, EasyCD basic 5 v 5.3.5.10, Windows XP SP1 + all updates. Dell Dimension 8300.
I make a full backup of my data files (3.9GB) onto a DVD+RW disk once a month. This worked fine as of 11 April. Trying again this week, at the end of the write it will not finalise the session and the disc is then unreadable. Disc information returns bad media after this unsucessful burn.
During the writing stage, it is writing at 2.4X (the drive default speed for DVD+RW) varying slightly between maybe 2.2 and 2.6 and the buffer is more or less at 100% all the time; progress seems normal, at the end of the write stage in details it show the track as written and correct number of files, then proceeds to the finalise session stage and gives the error message E80004005: unspecified error. In the Roxio knowledge base article it says this means wrong driver is being used and to reinstall. I removed EasyCD from startup, rebooted, uninstalled Easy CD 5, used roxi.zap, rebooted, reinstalled Easy CD 5, rebooted, installed 5.3.5.10 update, rebooted. Also reinstalled drive update 5.3.5h and then 5.3.5q. No joy. If I click on CD Drive properties, it shows (E in the left pane, but clicking on that it shows the NEC details in the right pane, so I assume that it is recognising the drive.
As advised in Roxio trouble shooting, http://www.roxio.com/en/support/ecdc/knowledgebase.jhtml#14
checked for, found and uninstalled 'ghost' devices (NEC and secondary IDE channel, also the Liteon DVD-ROM drive) as per http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315539. The real installed devices remained of course. The 'ghosts' did not come back after reboot.
Then reinstalled uninstalled/reinstalled Easy CD again. Also reflashed the 10GE firmware onto the drive.
Also tried in Roxio setup: repair option.
None of this has made any difference. I use the same media that was OK in April (Sony 1-4x DVD+RW data/video 4.7GB). I also tried 3 other makes and DVD+R disks (TDK 4X, listed as compatible in NEC 1100A list); with these, sometimes it does not write the files at all, but gives errors E80041882: CD error-power calibration area error; and E80041925: Trackwriter error-command retry failed and ejects the disc.
There have been no hardware or major software changes, no system crashes between last time that it worked and now.
writing to CD-R or CD-RW goes perfectly. The drive reads CD and (good) DVD discs with no problem. It's just the writing to DVD that is broken.
I have run Dell diagnostics on the drive also both with CD and DVD data discs, no problems indicated (of course that only tests read, not write)
Apart from buying Creator V7, how can I get back to a working DVD+RW writing?
Predator
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May 23rd, 2004 23:00
Hi JR,
You have done an excellent job trouble shooting this and a well delivered post.
Unfortunately you have the classic signs we seen in the past with the drive failing.
One thing we have found though, the drive tends to revert to PIO mode after applying the flash for some Members, so check your settings. Nero has a trial version of their software if you wish to test the drive with another software, however it is recommended you remove Roxio`s UDF software before installing Nero`s InCD.
Best Regards
God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the
difference.
CD/RW Link
JRosenfeld
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May 24th, 2004 00:00
The settings were OK (DMA if available, current transfer mode Ultra DMA mode 2, as before).
Yes I thought it was bad news. So if the drive is failing, there is little point in just upgrading the Roxio software or trying Nero?
Should I try to get Dell to replace the drive (invoice date 3 June 2003, with 3 year NBD)? Will they accept that it is the drive that is failing? Or as the 1100A seems to have been so problematic for so many people, would I be better off in the longer term if I buy a different model, if so which (with black facia to match the Dell 8300).
Many thanks for your help and advice, not only on this occasion (it was of course one of your posts on this forum that led me to the Roxio articles).
I'll try phoning Dell support (UK) in the morning, see what they say..
JRosenfeld
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May 24th, 2004 18:00
Thanks for additional info. We'll see what happens here. Dell agreed to come on Wednesday to replace the drive (they first offered to send it, but as I have paid for onsite service, I might as well make use of that; if the new drive does not work, they won't be able to claim that I did something wrong when replacing. When I said that they immediately agreed to send someone round).
I might just add that the Dell support person I got ('Anu' from Bangalore) was extremely helpful and friendly; she did ask me to run the Dell diagnostics again on the NEC, I think for form's sake, but accepted that I'd done all the other troubleshooting correctly and did not prevaricate or make any irrelevant suggestions. She knew about DellTalk and when I told her that the experts here had indicated drive failure, she checked back (presumably with some manager) and came back in less than a couple of minutes agreeing to the new drive. So your influence and renown are wide spread :-).
This is the first time I've had to call on Dell support and am relieved to note that despite the complaints posted on these boards, I found the service on this occasion to be competent, knowledgeable, helpful and swift. I await Wednesday for what I hope will be a happy ending.
Predator
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May 24th, 2004 18:00
Hi JR,
Again appreciate the kind words on the CD/RW site. With the CD/RW site and e-mail address I tend to get a number of messages, more than one Member stated Dell replaced their NEC 1100 with the NEC 2100, most seemed very pleased. The TEAC W58 was looking like the evil twin of the NEC 1100 but the new firmware update for the drive seems to have worked for most. I myself and few others simply moved to a Retail drive, the Plextor 708 has worked very well for me. I recall one person telling me, Dell sent him the NEC 2100 and he sold it on Ebay and used that money to purchase the NEC 2500. I believe Jack ~ Fireberd has this drive and so far no problems.
I may drop you a PM tonight, having an annoying problem with Outlook message showing up on XP Pro Log-on screen, need your expertise on this, currently on break at work.
Edit: I found the info and a couple of links in the Windows XP forum, will try it tonight.
Best Regards
God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the
difference.
CD/RW Link
Message Edited by Predator on 05-24-2004 05:49 PM
JRosenfeld
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May 26th, 2004 20:00
Predator
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May 31st, 2004 13:00
Sorry for not getting back to you sooner JR, I work for the Electric Power Company in my area and these T-Storms have tore us up pretty bad.
Glad to hear Dell sent you the NEC 2100 and all seems well, thanks for the feedback.
Take care
God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the
difference.
CD/RW Link