Can't burn Dual Layer DVDs

[Philomorph]

I have a Plextor PX-740A that has worked well for every task except burning DL DVDs. After about 8 attempts I've given up. The problem occurs with Nero and with Alcohol, but I finally took a closer look at the error log from Nero and the write error seems to be happening on the layer switch.

I'm using Memorex DL 2.4x media and am burning at 2.4x. Here's the error log from Nero:

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Windows XP 5.1
IA32
WinAspi: -
ahead WinASPI: File 'K:\Program Files\Apps\Nero\Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=2.0.1.74, size=164112 bytes, created 10/26/2004 5:35:34 PM
Nero version: 6.6.0.3
Recorder: <PLEXTOR DVDR PX-740A> Version: 1.02 - HA 1 TA 1 - 6.6.0.3
Adapter driver: <nvatabus> HA 1
Drive buffer : 2048kB
Bus Type : default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ?
CD-ROM: <PLEXTOR DVDR PX-740A >Version: 1.02 - HA 1 TA 1 - 6.6.0.3
Adapter driver: <nvatabus> HA 1
=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral : NVIDIA MIRROR 74.53G nvraid Port 0 ID 1 DMA: Off
DiskPeripheral : WDC WD1200JB-00GVC0 nvatabus Port 1 ID 0 DMA: Off
CdRomPeripheral : PLEXTOR DVDR PX-740A nvatabus Port 1 ID 1 DMA: Off
DiskPeripheral : WDC WD800JB-00CRA1 nvatabus Port 1 ID 2 DMA: Off
DiskPeripheral : WDC WD800JB-00JJA0 nvatabus Port 1 ID 3 DMA: Off
CdRomPeripheral : OH1182Y QHD592K 1.0 dtscsi Port 5 ID 0 DMA: Off
CdRomPeripheral : OH1182Y QHD592K 1.0 dtscsi Port 5 ID 1 DMA: Off
CdRomPeripheral : OH1182Y QHD592K 1.0 dtscsi Port 5 ID 2 DMA: Off
=== CDRom-Device-Map ===
PLEXTOR DVDR PX-740A E: CDRom0
OH1182Y QHD592K G: CDRom1
OH1182Y QHD592K M: CDRom2
OH1182Y QHD592K J: CDRom3
=======================
AutoRun : 1
Excluded drive IDs:
WriteBufferSize: 83886080 (0) Byte
ShowDrvBufStat : 0
BUFE : 0
Physical memory : 2047MB (2096616kB)
Free physical memory: 1218MB (1247648kB)
Memory in use : 40 %
Uncached PFiles: 0x0
Use Inquiry : 1
Global Bus Type: default (0)
Check supported media : Disabled (0)
23.2.2007
ISO compilation
9:59:37 PM #1 Text 0 File Isodoc.cpp, Line 6168
Iso document burn settings
------------------------------------------
Determine maximum speed : FALSE
Simulate : FALSE
Write : TRUE
Finalize CD : TRUE
Multisession : FALSE
Burning mode : DAO
Mode : 1
ISO Level : 1 (Max. of 11 = 8 + 3 char)
Character set : ISO 9660
Joliet : TRUE
Allow pathdepth more than 8 directories : TRUE
Allow more than 255 characters in path : FALSE
Write ISO9660 ;1 file extensions : TRUE

9:59:37 PM #2 Text 0 File Reader.cpp, Line 127
Reader running

9:59:37 PM #3 Text 0 File Writer.cpp, Line 122
Writer PLEXTOR DVDR PX-740A running

9:59:37 PM #4 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 3286
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

9:59:37 PM #5 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3151
Turn on Disc-at-once, using DVD media

9:59:37 PM #6 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 256
Last possible write address on media: 4173823 (927:30.73, 8151MB)
Last address to be written: 4068969 (904:12.69, 7947MB)

9:59:37 PM #7 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 268
Write in overburning mode: NO (enabled: CD)

9:59:37 PM #8 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 2309
Recorder: PLEXTOR DVDR PX-740A, Media type: DVD+R9 Double Layer

9:59:37 PM #9 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 430
>>> Protocol of DlgWaitCD activities: <<<
=========================================

9:59:37 PM #10 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 830
Setup items (after recorder preparation)
0: TRM_DATA_MODE1 ()
2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
original disc pos #0 + 4069120 (4069120) = #4069120/904:14.70
relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/ required, no patch infos
-> TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 4069120 blocks [PLEXTOR DVDR PX-740A]
--------------------------------------------------------------

9:59:37 PM #11 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 1040
Prepare recorder [PLEXTOR DVDR PX-740A] for write in CUE-sheet-DAO
DAO infos:
==========
MCN: ""
TOCType: 0x00; Session Closed, disc fixated
Tracks 1 to 1:
1: TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048/0x00, FilePos 0 0 4038590464, ISRC ""
DAO layout:
===========
__Start_|____Track_|_Idx_|_CtrlAdr_|_RecDep_______ ___
0 | lead-in | 0 | 0x41 | 0x00
0 | 1 | 0 | 0x41 | 0x00
0 | 1 | 1 | 0x41 | 0x00
4069120 | lead-out | 1 | 0x41 | 0x00

9:59:38 PM #12 Phase 24 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Caching of files started

10:00:18 PM #13 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 4038
Cache writing successful.

10:00:18 PM #14 Phase 25 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Caching of files completed

10:00:18 PM #15 Phase 36 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Burn process started at 2.4x (3,324 KB/s)

10:00:18 PM #16 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2596
Verifying disc position of item 0 (relocatable, disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #0

10:00:18 PM #17 Text 0 File DVDPlusDualLayer.cpp, Line 397
Disc finalized, LBA total Image size: 4069120 (7947MB), Last LBA L0: 2034575 (3973MB)

10:00:18 PM #18 Text 0 File DVDPlusDualLayer.cpp, Line 481
L0 Data Zone Capacity set to 2034576 (1F0B90h, 3973MB) -> OK, confirmed setting

10:00:18 PM #19 CDR -1205 File DVDPlusDualLayer.cpp, Line 506
Burning Layer 1

10:00:18 PM #20 Text 0 File DVDPlusDualLayer.cpp, Line 514
Start writing layer 1 at address 0 (0h)

10:00:18 PM #21 SCSI -1066 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1176
SCSI Exec, HA 1, TA 1, LUN 0, buffer 0x03C36000
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x05 (KEY_ILLEGAL_REQUEST)
Sense Code: 0x24
Sense Qual: 0x00
CDB Data: 0xAD 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x08 0x04 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0x70 0x00 0x05 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x12
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x24 0x00

10:00:18 PM #22 Text 0 File DVDPlusRW.cpp, Line 608
Start write address at LBA 0
DVD high compatibility mode: Yes

10:22:03 PM #23 CDR -1206 File DVDPlusDualLayer.cpp, Line 1667
Burning Layer 2

10:22:03 PM #24 Text 0 File DVDPlusDualLayer.cpp, Line 1674
Perform layer 1 to 2 jump before writing at address 2034592 (1F0BA0h)

10:22:40 PM #25 SCSI -1135 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1430
SCSI Exec, HA 1, TA 1, LUN 0, buffer 0x02EE0000
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x03 (KEY_MEDIUM_ERROR)
Sense Code: 0x0C
Sense Qual: 0x00
CDB Data: 0x2A 0x00 0x00 0x1F 0x0C 0xC0 0x00 0x00 0x20 0x00 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0x70 0x00 0x03 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x12
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x0C 0x00

10:22:40 PM #26 CDR -1135 File Writer.cpp, Line 311
Write error

10:22:41 PM #27 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 228
all writers idle, stopping conversion

10:22:41 PM #28 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 222
conversion idle, stopping reader

10:25:00 PM #29 Phase 38 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Burn process failed at 2.4x (3,324 KB/s)

Existing drivers:
File 'Drivers\PXHELP20.SYS': Ver=2.03.18a, size=20576 bytes, created 5/10/2005 3:04:10 PM (Prassi/Veritas driver for win 2K)
File 'Drivers\nvatabus.sys': Ver=5.10.2600.0552 built by: WinDDK, size=93568 bytes, created 8/18/2005 4:52:06 PM (Adapter driver for rec)
Registry Keys:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\AllocateCDROMs : 0 (Security Option)

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Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

[ratboy]

You are not using the best DL, but you may want to check out this thread.
CLICK HERE

I would take the time to read the complete thread. Seems like this is working for alot of people. (Using all Free programs)

Hope this helps.

[Chewy]

I went thru that log twice looking for a mid and said that's almost gotta be the new memorex dl's, then read the beginning of your post.

If imgburn will not identify the mid for those disks then don't bother wasting any more of them, plex is really bad about not updating their firmware

there several other things wrong but the good news is your drive is really a benq 1640 rebranded by plex

[ratboy]

Do

Scsi-Device-Map

Not use DMA modes?
Or is this something else that should be looked at?

My Bad, sure if this was an issue Chewy would have already noted it.

[Chewy]

nvatabus

is a can of worms, use the search feature ratboy, very controversial subject

my views are well known

if this was an issue Chewy would have already noted it

like I said

there several other things wrong

[Philomorph]

I went thru that log twice looking for a mid and said that's almost gotta be the new memorex dl's, then read the beginning of your post.

If imgburn will not identify the mid for those disks then don't bother wasting any more of them, plex is really bad about not updating their firmware

there several other things wrong but the good news is your drive is really a benq 1640 rebranded by plex

Thanks for the feedback! Being a newb here, I don't know what you mean by the term "mid". Can you elucidate?

Also, if the drive is a benq, does that mean I can flash it with a benq firmware to get better compatibility?

I'll admit my dumb mistake of not checking Plex's website for their "recommended" media. Before trying DL, I've never had a problem with using specific media in any of my 3 DVD burners other than with Verbatims, so I figured it was a fluke. I guess I'll pay more attention to what media I get in the future. But I'd hate to have to toss the remaining 15 or so DL discs I have cause my Plex don't like 'em.

FYI - I'm not burning ISOs, so not sure IMGBurn would help. I'm burning straight files for backups off my HD.

[Chewy]

several members have crossflashed(little tricky) to get better firmware support

please download imgburn and stick a DL blank in and post the righthand screen, just the top part showing drive firmware, write speeds and mid code

mid media indentification

some of the memorex dual layer are late comers to the market and knowing the mid will give us a clue

bottom line is nero and dvdshrink don't work with dual layer

[Philomorph]

Here's IMGBurn info on a blank disk:

PLEXTOR DVDR PX-740A 1.02 (ATA)
Current Profile: DVD+R DL
Disc Information:
Status: Empty
Erasable: No
Free Sectors: 4,173,824
Free Space: 8,547,991,552 bytes
Free Time: 927:32:74 (MM:SS:FF)
Supported Write Speeds: 2.4x
DVD±R DL Boundary Information:
L0 Data Zone Capacity: 2,086,912
Changeable: Yes
Physical Format Information (ADIP):
Disc ID: RITEK-D01-01
Book Type: DVD+R DL
Part Version: 1
Disc Size: 120mm
Maximum Read Rate: Not Specified
Number of Layers: 2

[Chewy]

well that's about the worst mid made so I would try imgburn and follow soup's guide

[Philomorph]

Thanks again for the info. Oddly enough, while Memorex isn't on Plextor's list of compatible DL media for my drive, Ritek is!

Compatible DVD+R DL Recording Media:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="76%" border=1><TBODY><TR bgColor=#99cccc><TH vAlign=center align=left width="18%" bgColor=#99cccc>Brand </TH><TH vAlign=left align=left width="16%" bgColor=#99cccc>Speed </TH><TH vAlign=center align=left width="58%">Model / Speed indication </TH></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Ricoh </TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>2.4X </TD><TD vAlign=top>DVD+R DL (2.4X) </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Ritek </TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>2.4X </TD><TD vAlign=top>DVD+R DL (2.4X) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Does this mean I got a bad batch, or my drive is messed up, or just that Ritek is crap and I need to send them back? I don't know that I have a receipt for return or even remember where I bought them

The recommended brand is Mitsubishi Chemical, which I've never seen. I read somewhere that those are Verbatim, but the only Verbatim DVDs I ever tried (single layer) turned into coasters when I put them in my old Lite-On, which was one reason I "upgraded" to a Plextor.

If Nero doesn't do well with DLs, and IMGBurn is only for ISO/MDL images, what do I use to burn files to DL disks? I have a lot of stuff to backup

[Chewy]

for dual layer, verbatim(mkm)/mitsubishi is the only good media

ratboy's link, soup's guide is the way to back up for dual layer

that plex should love verb single layer

[Philomorph]

Ok, well I guess these DL disks are complete crap. Here's the output from IMGBurn trying to do a DL disk from an ISO:

I 08:25:13 Writing Image...
I 08:25:13 Writing Layer 0... (LBA: 0 - 1876287)
I 08:45:02 Writing Layer 1... (LBA: 1876288 - 3752572)
W 08:45:39 Failed to Write Sectors 1876608 - 1876639 - Write Error
W 08:45:39 Retrying (1 of 20)...
W 08:45:40 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 08:45:40 Retrying (2 of 20)...
W 08:45:40 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 08:45:40 Retrying (3 of 20)...


It just keeps going until it fails completely. Thanks for the input guys. Hopefully I can get something back from Memorex for this huge pile of junk they sold me.