Hi All, I was making DVD Video backups with no problems for some time without any problems using Meritline media. One day it just seemed I couldnt do anything but make a coaster. I figured it was a media problem, but after swapping the media I was still seeing the same problems- seemingly random successful burn results. I read way too much info, re-intalled windows and various drivers along the way and I think things are going okay now after a number of successful burns with disks that previously failed to pass a simulation test. I am using Meritline 2X DVD-R media. Take my advice for what it is worth, these are all the things I eliminated along the way to making my Sony DRU-500a work again with my current media. Here is list of things I tried....
1. Other DVD copy software should never be installed or updated beyond what you use today or used yesterday to make backups.
2. Make sure your IDE driver is still in “UDMA if available” mode in Windows device manager and at least UDMA Mode 2 in bios.
3. Update to the latest ASPI driver (4.7x) via the web if using the SCSI / fire wire interface.
4. Consider locking into a version 4.6 ASPI driver if the newest driver doesn’t help the problem- Adaptec offers the download.
5. If using a Sony (DRU-500a, DRU-510a) drive, make sure it is the master IDE device on its own (secondary) channel.
6. If using Sony drive, run Drive Check utility to eliminate drive problems- probably media or configuration issue if drive check passes…
Make certain that the Sony drive has nothing else on its power input- case fans, etc. to hinder performance.
7. Make certain you have a 350 watt plus power supply to prevent power problems- good power is critical to Sony drives.
8. Use an 80-pin shielded cable to get the least possible EMI errors during write process.
9. Only use Sony fire wire enclosures unless you have previously used one successfully in your current configuration.
10. Run Windows Service Pack 1a after every system change, no matter how insignificant, with any USB drives powered on before update.
11. Go to
www.cdrlabs.com to post on your problem if none of the above fixes your problem.
12. Problems seem to lie in #1- Media, #2, SP1a installed on system with drive online and #3- Power input to drive on its own channel with good media.
Take it for what it was worth to me...
