Problem with backing up dvd's

[Rick106]

hi guys,
I'm new to these forums so go easy on me.
I've recently bought an Nec1300A DVDRW drive. But I've got a problem, I can't seem to get it to work.
When I try to write a DVD using nero, just from files from the hard drive, the status bar goes straight to 100% and nero crashes. I have the same problem with ImgTool burn when trying to write ripped and shrunk dvd's and when trying to copy with with DVD X Copy Express it does the same thing just says "setting up, erasing" and stops responding.
I have updated the firmware from 1.06 to 1.07 from herrie's site and it still didn't work. Then I tried the hacked 1.05 and it STILL doesn't work.
Has anybody got any ideas what the problem is or how to solve it?
Thanks guys,
Rich

[Rick106]

Any ideas guys? cos this is really annoying? Anytime I try to write from decrypted and shrunk files to a DVD-R or DVD+R whatever program i'm using just crashes.
The dvdrw drive does play ok though, dvd's play fine through it.
Any ideas?
Rich

[dimad]

Try making image with ImgTool Classic and then burn it with Dvd decrypter in iso - write mode. Always works for me.

How to burn guide

[smegma]

Which version of nero

I use the ultra version 6. It has the mpe4 capability installed. Other versions you have to purchase it from their website.

[sfheath]

What media are you using? There's a V1.08 firmware

[Rick106]

Its not to do with just copying a dvd dimad. I can't even seem to write one 1mb file to a dvd+RW. I tell it to write and the software just crashes. It does it with everything ImgTool burn, Dvd X Copy Express, Clone CD and dvd decrypter. So it can't be ALL these pieces of software. God knows, i feel like i've tried lots of things now, and i don't know what to do. Every time i try to burn the software crashes and I have to restart. I don't think its firmware cos i've tried 1.06, 1.07v4 and hacked 1.05 and all have the same conclusion. I haven't tried 1.08 yet, but i'm sure it won't make a difference.
I've tried lots of different media sfheath. But I originally changed my firmware so i could use bulkpaq orange top.
I DID write a couple of dvd's onto this orange top bulkpaq when I first got the dvdrw with 1.06 firmware, but it is only now that i've tried to use the dvdrw again 1 week later that its not working. Do u think there could be something wrong with the writer????
Rich

[sfheath]

I have to say that I had a faulty 1300 which I had to return. Sounds like you may need to do same

I tried firmware upgrades with my first one so I could use the orange bulkpaq but it simply wouldn't read media.
The replacement works a lot better with other media but still not the orange.

[Rick106]

Would the software just crash though? I would've thought it would still try to write, but maybe produce corrupt media. What happens is that it doesn't write at all and the software crashes forcing me to reboot.
Rich

[sfheath]

Well, software will possibly crash if the hardware doesn't comply with the program. What's happening with you isn't precisely the same as happened to me .. but isn't far off!

As you pointed out earlier - strange so many softwares ALL crash.

One suggestion, have you looked at the Windows Device Manager? If there's a fault reported there it may help.

[Rick106]

Yeah, I've already had a look at device manager. I've even tried updating and uninstalling the drivers, but still no luck.
One other thing. When I try to use the Windows firmware updater rather than through DOS it gets to about 1/4 way through and then says flash error. This occurs with about 4 different versions of firmware, all with the same result.
Any ideas, or shall I just send this drive back?
Thanks,
Richard

[sfheath]

ouch! if firmware crashing the thing's bombed

[Rick106]

Oh right u think so? The Dos firmware updates ok, its just the windows firmware that crashes. Does this mean the drive is messed?
Rich

[sfheath]

It sounds shot Rick. If no applications work and no media work there's only hardware left

[dnl479]

Check out the guide to this freeware burning tool BurnAtOnce

http://www.dvd-replica.com/bao.php3

This tool is plain vanilla but it does its job well. If the tool recognizes your hardware and burns DVD ok then your Nero software is defective or not installed properly or have some sort of hardware conflicts. NEC is a pretty good brand so chances of bad hardware/media are slim. Good luck.