Dec 17, 2002 06:33 PM
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(Updated Dec 17, 2002 06:34 PM)
Burning Tips!
What I have seen is, users Installing more than one CD mastering suite on a computer is like asking for conflict and trouble, so before you burn, turn off all programs running in the background - screen savers, antivirus programs, everything. Most CD-ROM/RWs currently on the market have firmware updates available that add features and improve performance. Good CD mastering software is frequently updated with support for new CD-RWs(and their features) and bug fixes to the mastering software itself. If you suspect a bug in your mastering software, check the manufacturer's website for an update.
It is recommended that the hard drive and CD-RW be on separate IDE buses - an SCSI based CD-RW is not affected by multiple devices on the SCSI'chain'. ATAPI/E-IDE devices connected to the same bus(same cable) cannot interlace their data transfers. This means only one device can send or receive information at a time. In contrast, SCSI devices are able to overlap their commands with other SCSI devices without interfering with each another.
Buffer Underrun Errors - How NOT to waste CDR's
This is one of the most common error's you will see. And is caused when the CDR's buffer does not receive data fast enough from the source to maintain a steady uninterrupted burn. If the Buffer's resources become to low, the burn will fail. When burning CDRs it is critical that the data-stream from the hard drive to the CD-writer is as continuous as possible. The CD-writer has an internal memory buffer to compensate for small gaps, but if your hard drive or your CPU is interrupted for to long, the CD-writer will run out of data. Because the CD-writer cannot wait, this will cause gaps, audio noise, skips, chirps, etc., or in the worst case, it will ruin the entire disc. Buffer Underrun errors are one of the big problem for CD burners.
The source of the problem: Windows is a multitasking operation system, meaning it can run many programs simultaneously. The CPU, however, can only do one thing at a time. To solve this problem, Windows divides the CPU-time into small slices and gives each running program a short period of time to execute, before the CPU is handed over to the next program. The more programs you run, the smaller each time-slice gets. If the slices are to small, there may not be enough time for the burning software to fill the buffer on the CD writer.
Just like the CPU, the hard drive cannot read everything at the same time. If, for example, some antivirus software or a screensaver starts in the middle of your cd-burning-session, the hard drive may get occupied with other things and stop reading CD-data.
What can you do to prevent those'buffer underrun errors'? There are a few things you should always do before burning CDRs:
Buy a newer CDR-ROM burn drive with BURN-Proof: NO MORE CD COASTERS: It's the biggest breakthrough in CD burners ever. The New Plextor PlexWriter, and the TDK VeloCD CDRW Drive, lets you burn while running multiple applications. With BURN-Proof write assurance technology, buffer underrun errors are eliminated.
Try to reboot the computer before you begin to make sure the operating system is completely stable(especially after running a few games). And don't use you computer until the CD burning has finished.
Stop or terminate all unnecessary programs except the CD burning software. This may not be as easy as it sounds, Some programs are invisible even from the CTRL+ALT+DEL window.
Increasing the priority of the CD-burning software. You may have to try a few different settings before you find the optimal priority for your system.
Remember to always cache to hard drive before burning. This is usually an option in your burning software, use the largest cache passable.
No more CD coasters! This may not be the final solution for all systems, but it will save you some time and money!
Have a nice day guys!
Chetan
