16x burning down to 8x, why ??? 1

[karmafree]

Hi,

Last October 2001 I brought a brand new Dell Dimension 8200 computer. My computer came with a 16x CD-RW drive; I used to be able to burn at 16x. But now, I think since installing Service Pack 1 for WinXP Pro, I can only burn at 8x. Whats going on? I've un-installed my Roxio burning software and re-installed but still no luck! I can not un-install the Service Pack as I don't have that option. What can I do? Is the Service Pack 1 really the problem? Or is it something else? I really don't know the problem here!
I'm using Roxio Easy CD Creator 5 which came with the computer - it has limited functionality but does allow burning at 16x - well at least it used to!

Thank you.

 

[MA5]

One of the factors dictating the maximum writing speed is the CD media itself.
If the media’s maximum burning speed is x8 then your burner will write at x8 max and not any higher.

 

[gargouille]

Another factor that determines burn speed is hard drive fragmentation...how long since you defragged?
IF the hard drive is heavily fragmented it's having a harder time of reading data, hence, perhaps, the slower burn speed.
Just a thought and am meanwhile doing some more looking.
Seems to be an issue with Roxio, but haven't traced it down yet.
Someone else may chime in.

 

[gargouille]

Just to make sure native CD burning is disabled within XP...pull up the Properties for the recorder in Explorer/My Computer.
Go to the Recording tab and clear the checkbox that says "enable CD recording on this drive."
I know, that seems counterintuitive, but all it turns off is XP's native ability to burn discs...which may be getting in the way. (other software doesn't work correctly with it enabled)
Seems it's supposed to disable automatically when other software is installed, but my experience shows this is not always the case.

 

[karmafree]

Thanks for the replies.

My hard-disk is not fragmented
- "I'm not that type, my machine is super tweaked"

Clearing the checkbox that says "enable CD recording on this drive" did nothing.

However, I have changed the type of CDs I used to burn on to another new brand; I think it may come down to the brand of CDs I am using. But, this leads me to think further should I blame it on the CD brand...
My other computer is also running WinXP Pro with the same Roxio software and it burns fine at its top CD burning speed of 12x - but it has a different CD-RW drive brand. My question now is, can a brand of CD, a brand of burning software and a brand of CD-RW drive are all contributing factors and I have to get the right combination? But then why is it that my older CD-RW 12x drive works fine with the new CD brand and not my new 16x CD-RW drive?

 

[cdogg]

It is not very common that a low burning speed problem would be caused by the combination of software and media type - hopefully that reassures you!

What I need to know is whether you're getting an error message when you try to burn above 8x.

Do you mean that you don't even see the 16x burn option? ~cdogg

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein

 

[gargouille]

There is another patch from Roxio that supposedly rights things gone kersphlunkt with SP1...

http://roxio.com/en/support/roxio_support/ecdc/ecdc_software_updatesv5.jhtml

Media type IS one thing that makes the writer slow down...AND packet burning is another thing that will make it slow down. I mistakenly bought a batch of cheap media...and discovered that it wouldn't burn faster than 8X. There's some sensing going on...if it's detected that it can't burn that fast, it'll slow down.
Media is listed as compatible 4X10, for example, or up to 32X compatible...and lots of combinations...maybe not even what's rated on the box.
Upgraded firmware for the drive also can have a positive effect, too, on it's performance. Sometimes, not.
I'm still experimenting with media brands, myself.

 

[cdogg]

gargouille,

While I agree that one should stay away from cheap media, most of what's available today will easily burn over 8x. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try. However, I wouldn't recommed upgrading the firmware on the drive unless nothing else works. If the burner worked fine in XP at one point, then there should be no reason to change the firmware.

karmafree, a couple questions for you:

1) Do you see the 16x speed as an option before burning?
2) Is this media the same media type you've used successfully in the past?
3) Have you checked to see if DMA is enabled on the drive?


~cdogg

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein

 

[karmafree]

Hi,

Thanks for the more replies, I'll anwser the questions raised.

1) Before burning, yes I do have the option at burning at 16x - but when I insert the CDs the option isn't there.

2)The media I am using burns successfully on my other computer at its top speed of 12x
- So why can't I burn at 12x at least if not 16x?

3) DMA, huh? whats that? - I'm not too hardware inclined!

Thank you all for the input so far,
but still no luck!

Thank you.

 

[karmafree]

Hi,

I have found the problem, its the media!
I tried another brand and I'm burning back at 16x speed!

I downloaded the free update from the Roxio site as gargouille suggested above, but that didn't help.

But how comes still my old computer has no trouble? It has the same OS and burning software and is of a lower spec, it burns fine at is top speed of 12x

Thank you.

 

[cdogg]

Some burners can only write at certain speeds.

For instance, I've seen a 12x burner able to burn at 12x, 8x, 4x, and 2x. I've seen another 10x burner only able to write at 10x or 4x.

It depends on the burner. The media you were using was probably certified for 1x-12x burning. However, since your burner could only write at 8x or 16x, then it defaulted to the second highest setting.

At least that's my guess!!



~cdogg

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein