Buffer problem when burning

[Inbot]

I have a NEC2500a DVD writer (firmware 1.07) that I was using on my MSI motherboard with an Athlon 1.0ghz, Windows 98SE. I burned several hundred DVD's on it without any problems.

I built a new computer with an Asus motherboard using an Athlon 64 3000 processor, and transferred my NEC to my new computer. This new computer uses SATA to connect to the hard drive, but my DVD drives (including the NEC) are connected through the IDE connection. When I built this new computer, I installed all the same software that was on my old computer.

The problem is that now when I burn DVD's, they burn at 2x or 3x, regardless of whether I'm using Roxio or DVD Decrypter to burn. As I was trying to figure out what might be causing the slowness, I noticed that whenever it was burning, the buffer would stay at 1% to 10%, but would rarely get above that. On my old computer it stayed at 90%+.

What in the world could be causing this slowness? It happens regardless of the media (I mostly use Ritek G05's). Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

[jmet]

Check your DMA. - http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=101616

[cynthia]

Asus - either they use Nvidia or Via chipset. Did you install the driver package?

[Inbot]

Originally posted by cynthia
Asus - either they use Nvidia or Via chipset. Did you install the driver package?

Yes, I did install all the drivers that came on the CD. The darndest thing is that there is no IDE controller in the Device Manager listing. The only place for DMA is in the actual properties of the DVD/CD drives themselves. As it turns out, they both have a check box for DMA that is unchecked. I spent the last hour or so reading over this forum, and it appears that I should check the DMA boxes on the DVD properties in the Device Manager, correct?

And why is there no IDE controller listed in the Device Manager? Is there something about Win98 that doesn't display the IDE controller? And should I be good to go if I just check the DMA boxes on the DVD/CD properties? Thanks for the help. I think the DMA thing is probably what I was looking for. By the way the motherboard is the Asus K8S-MX, and there was nothing about IDE drivers on the disc. Thanks again for the help.

[TRI0N]

In Device Manager look at your ATA/ATAPI Controllers.

Properties of either Primary or Secondary IDE Controller that has the DVD writer on it and Advanced Tab at the top.

[TRI0N]

Also, sheesh its been a long night....

Most Motherboard CD's that have drivers on them are really outdated. You should check with ASUS on the internet and grab the newest drivers. I don't think I've ever installed a new motherboard to find out there is newer drivers for the chipset on their website.

[Inbot]

Originally posted by TRI0N
In Device Manager look at your ATA/ATAPI Controllers.

Properties of either Primary or Secondary IDE Controller that has the DVD writer on it and Advanced Tab at the top.

Believe it or not, there are no ATA/ATAPI Controllers in my Device Manager. However, there is "Hard disk controllers", and when I expand it, I have three selections:

"Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)"
"Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo)"
"SiS 5513 Dual PCI IDE Controller"

My hard drive is connected via a SATA connection, so I don't know why those controllers are listed under "Hard disk controllers". But there is nothing anywhere that says ATA/ATAPI controller.

[sfheath]

Yes Inbot, I agree.
I've just booted a college Win98 machine and there's no switch for DMA, not even under the System Devices/Direct Memory Access Controller!
You should however have a BIOS setting for it?

[cynthia]

Don't know if this FAQ will help you - to be honest - a very long time since I used Win 98. http://forum.digital-digest.com/show...258#post220258

[Inbot]

Well, I went into the Hardware Manager and checked the DMA boxes on my CD/DVD drives, and I am now burning at 8x. I am using cheap Dupsonic DVDs, and getting 5x to 8x burn speeds. I am very happy now. DMA was the problem. Thanks for everyone's help.

[jmet]

Originally posted by Inbot
Well, I went into the Hardware Manager and checked the DMA boxes on my CD/DVD drives, and I am now burning at 8x. I am using cheap Dupsonic DVDs, and getting 5x to 8x burn speeds. I am very happy now. DMA was the problem. Thanks for everyone's help.

You're Very Welcome! It was My (Our) Pleasure!

[sfheath]

Originally posted by sfheath
Yes Inbot, I agree.
I've just booted a college Win98 machine and there's no switch for DMA, not even under the System Devices/Direct Memory Access Controller!
You should however have a BIOS setting for it?

Of course, it might have helped if the machine I looked at had a burner! ROFL