It sounds like your drive is using PIO mode instead of DMA transfers.
You can check by going in to device manager> IDE controllers> secondary controller> properties and under advanced settings ensure that the driver is set to use DMA is possible and in the box below that for current transfer mode you have something with DMA and not PIO mode.
This is in response to Bacillus’s reply. Thanks for the prompt response!
I checked the secondary IDE channel as suggested. In its properties/advanced setting tab, two devices are listed, “Device 0” and “device 1”. For device 0 the transfer mode is “DMA if available” and current transfer Mode is “Ultra DMA Mode 2”, while for device 1 the transfer mode is “DMA if available” and current transfer Mode is “not applicable”. I can change the setting for the transfer mode (can shift to 'PIO only'), but cannot make any change in “current transfer mode”. There is one more box “Device Type”. In both devices it is showing Auto Detection.
I occasionally use USB storage drive for transfer of files from notebook to my PC.
Well all seems correct for your drive so I can't explain why you're getting this problem.
What optical drive is it and have you tried looking for an updated firmware?
Note that copying a full CD at 24x drive speed can take up to 6 minutes. I think that behavior is "normal" for 24x drives, as my 2 different model laptops with 24x drives will take about 5-6 minutes to copy a full CD to the HDD.
There are software that can measure your cd / dvd read/write speeds, I know that Nero CDSpeed does it. You may want to check your drive with it, and maybe check it will Dell's diagnostics CD also, in case there's a defect in the drive itself. Or maybe the lens need cleaning, just a thought.
The optical drive I am using is provided by Dell, the company name is not written on it. In my invoice it is written as 8X DVD+RW Combo Drive. Where do I check the firmware version?
Hi Rick,
My CD/DVD takes 5-6 minutes just to recognize the media, this does not include copying time.
May I suggest that you return the apparently defective cd unit then ?
You mention that the laptop is only 6 months old, now standard warranty on Dell's laptop are 1 year minimum. It might save you from wasting any more time with the drive itself (although to get a new one you'll have to spend a little time on the phone...) Just a thought, as I've had good past experiences with Dell Support regarding apparanetly defective hardware.
bacillus
2 Intern
•
14.4K Posts
0
November 15th, 2004 15:00
You can check by going in to device manager> IDE controllers> secondary controller> properties and under advanced settings ensure that the driver is set to use DMA is possible and in the box below that for current transfer mode you have something with DMA and not PIO mode.
dibyendukumar
6 Posts
0
November 15th, 2004 16:00
Hi there,
This is in response to Bacillus’s reply. Thanks for the prompt response!
I checked the secondary IDE channel as suggested. In its properties/advanced setting tab, two devices are listed, “Device 0” and “device 1”. For device 0 the transfer mode is “DMA if available” and current transfer Mode is “Ultra DMA Mode 2”, while for device 1 the transfer mode is “DMA if available” and current transfer Mode is “not applicable”. I can change the setting for the transfer mode (can shift to 'PIO only'), but cannot make any change in “current transfer mode”. There is one more box “Device Type”. In both devices it is showing Auto Detection.
I occasionally use USB storage drive for transfer of files from notebook to my PC.
Thanks!
Dibyendu Kumar
bacillus
2 Intern
•
14.4K Posts
0
November 15th, 2004 17:00
What optical drive is it and have you tried looking for an updated firmware?
RichardLusignan
269 Posts
0
November 15th, 2004 19:00
Hi,
Note that copying a full CD at 24x drive speed can take up to 6 minutes. I think that behavior is "normal" for 24x drives, as my 2 different model laptops with 24x drives will take about 5-6 minutes to copy a full CD to the HDD.
There are software that can measure your cd / dvd read/write speeds, I know that Nero CDSpeed does it. You may want to check your drive with it, and maybe check it will Dell's diagnostics CD also, in case there's a defect in the drive itself. Or maybe the lens need cleaning, just a thought.
Best regards,
Rick
dibyendukumar
6 Posts
0
November 16th, 2004 11:00
Hi,
The optical drive I am using is provided by Dell, the company name is not written on it. In my invoice it is written as 8X DVD+RW Combo Drive. Where do I check the firmware version?
Hi Rick,
My CD/DVD takes 5-6 minutes just to recognize the media, this does not include copying time.
Thanks for your concern
Kumar
bacillus
2 Intern
•
14.4K Posts
0
November 17th, 2004 17:00
RichardLusignan
269 Posts
0
November 17th, 2004 17:00
Hi Kumar,
May I suggest that you return the apparently defective cd unit then ?
You mention that the laptop is only 6 months old, now standard warranty on Dell's laptop are 1 year minimum. It might save you from wasting any more time with the drive itself (although to get a new one you'll have to spend a little time on the phone...) Just a thought, as I've had good past experiences with Dell Support regarding apparanetly defective hardware.
Best regards,
Rick