Asus CUBX-E Mainboard cannot set CD/RW to DMA mode

[frummel]

Hi all,

A friend of mine has had this issue with burning CD's with any burning sofware, since a month or 3. (OS: Windows XP Professional / Mainboard: Asus CUBX-E). For instance, from the Nero 6 log I see a write error. Further I noticed the the following in the log:

=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral  : WDC WD200EB-00BHF0  atapi Port 0 ID 0  DMA: On 
CdRomPeripheral : Samsung CD-RW SW-206  atapi Port 1 ID 0  DMA: Off
CdRomPeripheral : AOpen 12xDVD-ROM DRIVE  atapi Port 1 ID 1  DMA: On

So what I understand is that the CD-RW should be in DMA mode, and so I checked on the internet if the device was DMA capable. And yes, it is, as shown on page

http://www.powerspec.com/systems/archives/system_components.phtml?component=299&selection=7740

So I tried to set the secondary master to DMA in Windows XP Professional with the Device Manager. It was listed 'PIO', so I changed it to 'DMA, if capable'. After reboot, I could see the setting was still set to 'DMA, if capable', but used mode was still PIO...

So next step I checked BIOS settings and tried setting the mode to DMA mode 2. But after saving changes, and returning to the BIOS, it is again set to PIO mode. No matter what I tried, or what I did, I couldn't change it....

I changed IDE Cables, changed the device to the Primary IDE connector, removed all other IDE devices from the mainboard, repeated all steps mentioned above, but no way I am able to change the device to DMA mode.

I installed my personal CD-RW (LG 8120B) and again I am unable to set the mode to DMA. I am sure this device is OK because it is set as DMA on my own computer; no issues there.

What I don't understand is that until 3 months ago, there was no issue at all... Maybe a BIOS issue?

Anyone any ideas? I'm out of them...

Thanks!

 

[micker377]

Any failure (after 6 tries) on an IDE line causes Windows to set the IDE port to PIO. I had this problem a while back on a hard drive. Microsoft has a kbxxx on this. You have to reset something in the registry. Search MS (I know...I know!), under PIO. The fix is quick and easy (wish my memory was).

 

[frummel]

Thank you for your reply..
Although the solution seems OK, it isn't really...

The problem starts in the BIOS of the Asus CUBX-E mainboard.
I am unable to set the Mode to DMA there...
If I were able to make changes, and Windows XP Pro would still set it to PIO, the KB* fix would probably work... but unfortunately not in this case...

Correct me if I'm wrong...

 

[garebo]

There is a quick and easy way that i know of. Get the prog called: dvd region + CSS free
This program will allow you to switch to dma with the click of one button.

Perhaps you can google it. Where i got it from dont think i am allowed to mention.
There is also a website called

http://www.yousendit.com/

This site allows one person to send files to another. The file is on their website and they send notice they have the file for you to download by sending you an email.
So, if you want to post your email addy i will send you the prog.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[frummel]

Hmmm... that's DVD playing software!
If it changes the drive to DMA in Windows XP that's still no solution to me I believe... I should be able to do that in Windows XP, but after changing it, the drive still runs on PIO mode.

The issue seems to be the BIOS...

Thanks though for your response!

 

[garebo]

I will have to check my bios then as win xp says its in dma mode.



Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[garebo]

Also, i never bothered to try and change it before as all seemed to be well, my dvd's burn real fast, everything i have seems to work real fast, so i didnt worry about it. Its just that this prog came along and offered to change it, so i did, then i burned a dvd and did a few other things to make sure all was still well.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[micker377]

What my answer was supposed to point out, was that once Windows makes the change in the registry, you (or the computer) won't be allowed to change it back to DMA until the registry is changed. The programs mentioned just make this change for you.