FAQ: How do you know that your burner is dead?

[cynthia]

How do you know that your burner is dead?

Based on my own experience - here are some clues:

• You have done nothing with your computer - no updates of your burning program or similar actions.
• You are using the same media as before and even the same spindle of media.
• When you insert a DVD - nothing happens and the only thing you hear is a scratch sound.
• In Windows Explorer you can see the contents of a CD but not of a DVD.
• You can still play and burn CDs.
• When you try to burn - it will only reject your inserted media and ask for a blanc disc.
• Pick it to pieces and cleaning the laser head don't help.

In my case it happend during a burning. The logfile reported "Power calibration error".

Power calibration error:

Before any write operation, all recorders must do a 15 step power test to determine the optimum power for writing to the DVD; this is called "Optimum Power Calibration"(OPC). During the write, it continues to do this test to get the best write throughout the whole DVD; this is called "Running Optimum Power Calibration" (ROPC).

This whole process 'Power Calibration' is controlled by the recorder, though initiated by programs such as Nero. There is an area on the inner part of the DVD for the test and test data info to be stored. You can use this area up to 999 times.

If you receive the "Power calibration error" or "Power calibration area is (amost) full" error message, the cause will be either poor media, poor power, or a defective recorder.

The burner did 900 burns before it passed away.

[cynthia]

Log file from Nero - when the burner died:

Windows XP 5.1
IA32
WinAspi: File 'Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=4.71 (0002), size=45056 bytes, created 2002-07-17 11:03:20
ahead WinASPI: File 'C:\Program\Ahead\Nero\Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=2.0.1.74, size=164112 bytes, created 2004-10-26 18:35:34
Nero Version: 6.6.0.8 (Nero Express)
Recorder: <_NEC DVD_RW ND-1300A> Version: 1.0C - HA 1 TA 0 - 6.6.0.8
Adapter driver: HA 1
Drive buffer : 2048kB
Bus Type : default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ATAPI
CD-ROM: Version: GH5Y - HA 1 TA 1 - 6.6.0.8
Adapter driver: HA 1

=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral : IC35L080AVVA07-0 atapi Port 0 ID 0 DMA: On
DiskPeripheral : SAMSUNG VG36483A (6.48GB) atapi Port 0 ID 1 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : _NEC DVD_RW ND-1300A atapi Port 1 ID 0 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : JLMS XJ-HD163 atapi Port 1 ID 1 DMA: On
DiskPeripheral : ST3160023A 3.06 hpt374 Port 2 ID 0 DMA: Off
DiskPeripheral : Maxtor 6Y120P0 YAR4 hpt374 Port 2 ID 1 DMA: Off
DiskPeripheral : ST380021A 3.19 hpt374 Port 2 ID 2 DMA: Off
DiskPeripheral : ST3250823A 3.02 hpt374 Port 2 ID 3 DMA: Off
DiskPeripheral : Maxtor 6Y120P0 YAR4 hpt374 Port 2 ID 4 DMA: Off
OtherPeripheral : HPT RCM DEVICE hpt374 Port 2 ID 0 DMA: Off
OtherPeripheral : HPT RCM DEVICE hpt374 Port 3 ID 0 DMA: Off

=== CDRom-Device-Map ===
_NEC DVD_RW ND-1300A E: CDRom0
JLMS XJ-HD163 F: CDRom1
=======================

AutoRun : 1
Excluded drive IDs:
WriteBufferSize: 74448896 (0) Byte
ShowDrvBufStat : 0
BUFE : 0
Physical memory : 511MB (523760kB)
Free physical memory: 163MB (167592kB)
Memory in use : 68 %
Uncached PFiles: 0x0
Use Inquiry : 1
Global Bus Type: default (0)
Check supported media : Disabled (0)

9.4.2005
UDF/ISO kompilering
02:24:00 #1 Phase 112 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
DVD-Video files reallocation started

02:24:00 #2 Phase 114 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
DVD-Video files reallocation completed (no file modified)

02:24:00 #3 Text 0 File Isodoc.cpp, Line 6172
Iso document burn settings
------------------------------------------
Determine maximum speed : FALSE
Simulate : FALSE
Write : TRUE
Finalize CD : TRUE
Multisession : FALSE
Burning mode : DAO
Mode : 1
ISO Level : 2 (Max. of 31 chars)
Character set : ISO 9660
Joliet :FALSE
Allow pathdepth more than 8 directories : FALSE
Allow more than 255 characters in path : FALSE
Write ISO9660 ;1 file extensions : TRUE

02:24:00 #4 Phase 111 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
DVD-Video files sorted

02:24:01 #5 Text 0 File Reader.cpp, Line 127
Reader running

02:24:01 #6 Text 0 File Writer.cpp, Line 122
Writer _NEC DVD_RW ND-1300A running

02:24:01 #7 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 3293
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

02:24:01 #8 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 3293
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

02:24:01 #9 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3153
Turn on Disc-At-Once, using DVD media

02:24:01 #10 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 259
Last possible write address on media: 2298495 (510:46.45, 4489MB)
Last address to be written: 2294303 (509:50.53, 4481MB)

02:24:01 #11 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 271
Write in overburning mode: NO (enabled: CD)

02:24:01 #12 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 2316
Recorder: _NEC DVD_RW ND-1300A, Media type: DVD-R
Disc Manufacturer: Prodis - cF01
Disc Application Code: 64, Disc Physical Code: 193

02:24:01 #13 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 433
>>> Protocol of DlgWaitCD activities: <<<
=========================================

02:24:01 #14 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 + 2294304 (2294304) = #2294304/509:50.54
relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/ required, no patch infos
-> TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 2294304 blocks [_NEC DVD_RW ND-1300A]
--------------------------------------------------------------

02:24:01 #15 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 1043
Prepare recorder [_NEC DVD_RW ND-1300A] 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 4698734592, ISRC ""
DAO layout:
===========
__Start_|____Track_|_Idx_|_CtrlAdr_|_RecDep_______ ___
0 | lead-in | 0 | 0x41 | 0x00
0 | 1 | 0 | 0x41 | 0x00
0 | 1 | 1 | 0x41 | 0x00
2294304 | lead-out | 1 | 0x41 | 0x00

02:24:01 #16 Phase 24 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Caching of files started

02:24:01 #17 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 4040
Cache writing successful.

02:24:01 #18 Phase 25 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Caching of files completed

02:24:01 #19 Phase 36 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Burn process started at 4x (5_540 KB/s)

02:24:01 #20 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2609
Verifying disc position of item 0 (relocatable, disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #0

02:24:01 #21 Text 0 File DVDR.cpp, Line 2194
Recording mode: Sequential Recording Mode

02:24:01 #22 Text 0 File Mmc.cpp, Line 21235
Set BUFE: Buffer underrun protection -> ON

02:24:01 #23 Text 0 File DVDR.cpp, Line 2340
Start write address at LBA 0
DVD high compatibility mode: Yes

02:24:01 #24 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 8430
---- DVD Structure: Physical Format Information (00h) ----
Layer: 0, Address: 0 (0 h), AGID: 0; Length: 2050
Book Type: DVD-R (2), Part Version: 5
Disc Size: 120 mm, Maximum Rate: (F h)
Number of Layers: 1, Track Path: Parallel Track Path (PTP), Layer Type: recordable
Linear Density: 0,267 um/bit, Track Density: 0,74 um/track
Starting Physical Sector Number of Data Area: 30000 h (DVD-ROM, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW)
End Physical Sector Number of Data Area: 26127F h
End Sector Number in Layer 0: 0 h (LBN: FFFD0000 h, 4193920 MB)
Data in Burst Cutting Area (BCA) does not exist
Start sector number of the current Border-Out: 2FE10 h
Start sector number of the next Border-In: 2FFA0 h
Media Specific [16..63]:
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
00 02 FE 10 00 02 FF A0 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................

02:25:06 #25 SCSI -1106 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1435
SCSI Exec, HA 1, TA 0, LUN 0, buffer 0x0A490000
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: 0x73
Sense Qual: 0x03
CDB Data: 0x2A 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x20 0x00 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0x70 0x00 0x03 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x0A
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x73 0x03

02:25:06 #26 CDR -1106 File Writer.cpp, Line 311
Power calibration error

02:25:06 #27 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 228
all writers idle, stopping conversion

02:25:06 #28 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 222
conversion idle, stopping reader

02:25:07 #29 Text 0 File DVDR.cpp, Line 2603
EndDAO: Last written address was -1

02:25:36 #30 Phase 38 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Burn process failed at 4x (5_540 KB/s)


Existing drivers:
File 'Drivers\ASPI32.SYS': Ver=4.71 (0002) built by: WinDDK, size=16512 bytes, created 2002-07-17 10:05:10
File 'Drivers\PXHELP20.SYS': Ver=2.02.62a, size=20016 bytes, created 2003-10-28 12:02:00 (Prassi/Veritas driver for win 2K)
File 'Drivers\atapi.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), size=95360 bytes, created 2004-08-04 07:59:42 (Adapter driver for rec)

Registry Keys:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\AllocateCDROMs : 0 (Security Option)

[cynthia]

Log file from Nero - after the burner had died:

Windows XP 5.1
IA32
WinAspi: File 'Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=4.71 (0002), size=45056 bytes, created 2002-07-17 11:03:20
ahead WinASPI: File 'C:\Program\Ahead\Nero\Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=2.0.1.74, size=164112 bytes, created 2004-10-26 18:35:34
Nero Version: 6.6.0.8 (Nero Express)
Recorder: <_NEC DVD_RW ND-1300A> Version: 1.0C - HA 1 TA 0 - 6.6.0.8
Adapter driver: HA 1
Drive buffer : 2048kB
Bus Type : default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ATAPI
CD-ROM: Version: GH5Y - HA 1 TA 1 - 6.6.0.8
Adapter driver: HA 1

=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral : IC35L080AVVA07-0 atapi Port 0 ID 0 DMA: On
DiskPeripheral : SAMSUNG VG36483A (6.48GB) atapi Port 0 ID 1 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : _NEC DVD_RW ND-1300A atapi Port 1 ID 0 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : JLMS XJ-HD163 atapi Port 1 ID 1 DMA: On
DiskPeripheral : ST3160023A 3.06 hpt374 Port 2 ID 0 DMA: Off
DiskPeripheral : Maxtor 6Y120P0 YAR4 hpt374 Port 2 ID 1 DMA: Off
DiskPeripheral : ST380021A 3.19 hpt374 Port 2 ID 2 DMA: Off
DiskPeripheral : ST3250823A 3.02 hpt374 Port 2 ID 3 DMA: Off
DiskPeripheral : Maxtor 6Y120P0 YAR4 hpt374 Port 2 ID 4 DMA: Off
OtherPeripheral : HPT RCM DEVICE hpt374 Port 2 ID 0 DMA: Off
OtherPeripheral : HPT RCM DEVICE hpt374 Port 3 ID 0 DMA: Off

=== CDRom-Device-Map ===
_NEC DVD_RW ND-1300A E: CDRom0
JLMS XJ-HD163 F: CDRom1
=======================

AutoRun : 1
Excluded drive IDs:
WriteBufferSize: 74448896 (0) Byte
ShowDrvBufStat : 0
BUFE : 0
Physical memory : 511MB (523760kB)
Free physical memory: 175MB (179428kB)
Memory in use : 65 %
Uncached PFiles: 0x0
Use Inquiry : 1
Global Bus Type: default (0)
Check supported media : Disabled (0)

10.4.2005
UDF/ISO kompilering
05:30:24 #1 Phase 112 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
DVD-Video files reallocation started

05:30:24 #2 Phase 114 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
DVD-Video files reallocation completed (no file modified)

05:30:24 #3 Text 0 File Isodoc.cpp, Line 6172
Iso document burn settings
------------------------------------------
Determine maximum speed : FALSE
Simulate : FALSE
Write : TRUE
Finalize CD : TRUE
Multisession : FALSE
Burning mode : DAO
Mode : 1
ISO Level : 2 (Max. of 31 chars)
Character set : ISO 9660
Joliet :FALSE
Allow pathdepth more than 8 directories : FALSE
Allow more than 255 characters in path : FALSE
Write ISO9660 ;1 file extensions : TRUE

05:30:24 #4 Phase 111 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
DVD-Video files sorted

05:30:24 #5 Text 0 File Reader.cpp, Line 127
Reader running

05:30:24 #6 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 3293
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

05:30:24 #7 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 3293
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

05:30:24 #8 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3153
Turn on Disc-At-Once, using DVD media

05:31:19 #9 Phase 40 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Aborted by user

05:31:19 #10 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 271
Write in overburning mode: NO (enabled: CD)

05:31:19 #11 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 2316
Recorder: _NEC DVD_RW ND-1300A
Medium not present

05:31:19 #12 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 433
>>> Protocol of DlgWaitCD activities: <<<
=========================================
Insert empty disc to write to.
(Medium in drive: Okänd. Medium required by compilation: DVD+R/RW; DVD-R/RW.)


Existing drivers:
File 'Drivers\ASPI32.SYS': Ver=4.71 (0002) built by: WinDDK, size=16512 bytes, created 2002-07-17 10:05:10
File 'Drivers\PXHELP20.SYS': Ver=2.02.62a, size=20016 bytes, created 2003-10-28 12:02:00 (Prassi/Veritas driver for win 2K)
File 'Drivers\atapi.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), size=95360 bytes, created 2004-08-04 07:59:42 (Adapter driver for rec)

Registry Keys:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\AllocateCDROMs : 0 (Security Option)

[blutach]

Another good idea, if you suspect your burner is ready for the scrap heap, is to run Nero Info Tool (Nero owners will already have this in their Nero Toolkit folder). If it does not correctly identify the drive and its capabilities, then there's cause for suspicion.

Regards