PC Freeze during encoding process

[dafaba]

This is my first posting on this forum, I have referred to website many times to research problems, but now I have a problem I can’t seem to fix.
My PC locks up/freezes every time DVD Shrink hits the encoding process. I have tried using dvd decryper to rip the disc to my hard drive and then move over to dvd shrink to complete the back up, but same result during the encoding process. I have also tried using dvd shrink to do the whole process, but every time my system locks. I have tried reinstalling dvd shrink to the same directory and to another directory, no joy.
I have never had this problem and have backed up tons of discs, but all of a sudden I started running into this problem. Old discs, New discs, damaged discs, all the same result.
Any thoughts? Any other apps besides dvd shrink that can do the same thing?
Without any thoughts I’ll be forced to find another program or rebuild my operating system.
Thanks for any idea’s.

[LT. Columbo]

http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45726

check DMA too

http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44808

also, if you use xp, a system restore might do the trick.

[NightTran]

your disc is dirty or damage, try dvd fab first if it is not working then try a new one

[LT. Columbo]

"I have never had this problem and have backed up tons of discs, but all of a sudden I started running into this problem. Old discs, New discs, damaged discs, all the same result."

[jmet]

I highly advise going to the first link LT posted!

My suggestion is that your computer is over heating. Take the side of the case off, then run DVD Shrink and see if it still freezes.

[jm1647]

Is it locking up and you hafta reboot or just utilizing 100% CPU and your able to use it after encoding is complete. Are you using a screen saver?

[benbryant]

I had the same problem in the past. All hardwares seemed to work OK. However, I never realized that the fan still rotated but it didn't blow at full speed (some fans stop working immediately, some just slow down gradually before stopping working eventually). Using some regular program doesn't cause enough symtom about heat related problem. However, when you use DVD Shrink or some graphics editing apps, the problem would show instantly. Hope that this can lend you a hand

Regards

[blutach]

Clean your system out at least every 6 months. Dust is the enemy!

Regards

[dafaba]

Thank you for your support.

First off, Thank you for your support.
After checking that I had not installed any new programs between the last good burn and the first freeze.
I then reloaded the most recent DirectX.
I’m running win2k.
My cpu is not overheating, 40c avg, same as the day I built this rig (high power).
No screen savers or any other background programs.
I then took a can of canned air to the guts, as I tend to do at least every six months.
I then tried to burn, same result, my system locked. Nothing responds, my only option is to power off the pc and trying again.
So I did, BUT this time I started Windows Task Manager so I could monitor my systems performance during the encoding process. The result was a Good Burn.
So I tried another disc, this time without Task manager running, and again my pc locked during the encoding process. I then again restarted and opened Task manager before starting the dvdshrink process again. The result was another good burn. I burned another disc after that with Task Manager running again with a good burn.
My findings are that if I have Task Manager running the process completes successfully.
This is still a problem but it is better than rebuilding my operating system.
Any thoughts are welcome. But I think we can file this under the X File.

[blutach]

That's wacky. Seems like if your PC knows your keeping a close eye on it, it behaves itself (like a little kid). Give it a smack!

Regards

[LT. Columbo]

"That's wacky. Seems like if your PC knows your keeping a close eye on it, it behaves itself (like a little kid). Give it a smack!"

...made me chuckle

[dafaba]

HaHa,
Usually my computer behaves itself, but it does get grumpy at times. A buddy of mine thinks I have some sort of spyware running somewhere, however if that is the case I have not been able to find it either on my own or with my security software. Maybe my next security update will zap whatever it maybe, if anything.
I will continue to post updates as I come across them.

[dafaba]

No Joy

So I thought I had a work around for my problem, run task manager during the process. No Joy! I tried to back up 4 dvd’s today and the first one worked. It was a dvd from 95 and it was not in the best condition, but the process worked. I then tried two more brand new 05 discs, same problem again, the process locked up my pc during the encoding process, even with task manager running. I tried rebooting, reinstalling, new directories, everything. No Joy. I even tried another different older disc and my pc still locked up.
I’m going to try again tomorrow and if that doesn’t work I try a few more things, but at this point I feel like I’m wasting my time. I don’t believe it is a hardware problem, or a problem with the dvd shrink program. I think the problem lays with either a conflict in my pc’s operating system, new encoding on new dvd’s, or a virus or spyware that mcafee can’t find. I’m thinking a rebuild of my operating system is the key, but that sucks! Talk about wasting time.
Any ideas would be great, but the rebuild seems like the answer at this point.

[Taelon]

dafaba, sounds like a hardware issue. You said CPU temp checks ok, but I'm willing to bet it's overheating when encoding. I'd pull off the heat sink and reapply a thin layer of Artic Silver compound. And thoroughly clean the fan & heatsink fins while it's apart. If still no joy, try running Memtest 86. And last but not least get something to monitor system voltages, one of the lines could be sagging when under high load.

[dafaba]

Thanks Taelon. I'm going to go to the pc warehouse store tomorrow and get new silver compound, a new can of air, and maybe a new fan. I tried again tonight to copy a disc and couldn’t get past 5% on the encoding. Your idea about the cpu overheating during encoding sounds plausible since the lockup seems to happen sooner and sooner every time I try. I did not use the best compound the first time out so that could very much be the problem.
I’ll report again on my progress tomorrow. Thanks again!