Slow DVD-ROM reaction

[goombawaho]

My customer got a new computer (1GB RAM - he had something like a PIII 500Mhz running Windows 2000), but he says the new DVD is slower to react than the old one.

He uses a program that requires changing DVDs to look up parts diagrams for all different cars. Some cars on DVD1, other are on DVD2 - 6. You get the picture. He's constantly shuffling DVDs to access information.

It takes about 13 seconds for the new DVD to respond after being put in and the OK button pressed in the program before it can access the DVD and pull up his information. SEEMS LIKE most of the time is waiting for the drive to spool up and read the DVD.

Any hints on speeding this up? I have already turned off all AUTOPLAY events for the drive for different media types.

 

[JockMullin]

I would try turning off autoplay for that drive, assuming the app doesn't need it. Windows is wasting time mounting the new disk.

Other than that, is the DVD drive an internal, bus connected rather than a USB connect?

Jock

 

[Lemon13]

i would try clonedrive, it supports up to 8 virtual drives, its free and the only thing you need is free space on hdd

http://www.elby.ch/en/fun/software/index.html

M. Knorr

MCSE, MCTS, MCSA, CCNA

 

[manhunter2826]

I've seen this happen also on new computers (compared to old). It probably does depend on the mechanics of the drive itself: each drive is different in terms of a buffer, speed, cache I suspect. Do you know what brand of drive is built into the PC??

 

[goombawaho]

Don't know the brand - no. This virtual drive idea is interesting to me. He would happy as a pig in slop if he didn't have to swap those DVDs. Plus they wouldn't get scratched with all the dirty hands touching them (auto mechanic).

 

[gbaughma]

Could just be a dodgy drive, or scratched up CD's. I've worked on those machines before, right in the garage where the mechanics are working.... they can get pretty dirty. BUT, if it's a new machine, that shouldn't be the problem.

For $29, it might be worth trying a different DVD reader in it... preferably a name brand.

Just my 2¢

"What the captain doesn't realize is that we've secretly replaced his Dilithium Crystals with new Folger's Crystals."

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[manhunter2826]

Agreed. Just look up some recent reviews for DVD drives: Asus, Samsung, LG often get good write-ups (but depends specifically on brand/model). Lemon's idea of a Virtual Drive is excellent - and free!

 

[goombawaho]

I'm asking the program's manufacturer if they support a virtual drive or if there is a way to copy the whole DVD to the hard drive to make it even more "direct" access.

 

[manhunter2826]

I think, technically, there is probably nothing that would prevent the DVD from being 'mounted' as a virtual drive.

 

[gbaughma]

It really depends on the software.

I know on the software I've seen, you drop in different DVD's depending on what make/model/year of the car. The software most likely looks for that on the first DVD/CD Drive, and therefore having multiple virtual drives may not work.


Just my 2¢

"What the captain doesn't realize is that we've secretly replaced his Dilithium Crystals with new Folger's Crystals."

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[GabrielBL]

DVD disks generally read much slower than CDs to, and if he’s browsing PDF files, it could take even longer for the PDF application to load. If it is PDFs he’s reading, I’d suggest trying Foxit, way faster than Acrobat.

For the drive itself, make sure you have the newest drivers installed and Windows Updates. Also – is it possible to just rip the contents to the hard drive? That would speed everything up.

Gabriel Blanc-Laine
VP Sales & Marketing

http://www.Qtask.com

 

[goombawaho]

It's a program that reads data off the discs - not a PDF application. It's called AllData. I don't know what format the data is actually stored on the DVD, but the program reads it automatically and displays a parts list for a 2000 Sebring transmission or whatever you want.

 

[gbaughma]

Yeah.. .I've seen and used AllData.

I really don't think that virtual drives are going to work for you..... the software is pretty proprietary. I'm not sure if it uses some copy protection or proprietary formatting for their data.

Pretty much; bottom line (and back to the original issue)... replace the DVD drive with a good one. It's in a dirty environment, and with DVD drives <$50, you're pulling your hair out to find a solution that, in the long run, will be more time consuming and frustrating that throwing a $50 DVD drive into the machine.

I will agree that throwing a 500GB or 1TB drive into the machine and having all the data instantly accessible would be a great solution, but that's a solution that the vendor has to supply, not you.

Besides, doing stuff like that will likely void the service contract that they have with Alldata; since the mechanic is undoubtedly paying a service contract / maintenance fee / whatever due to new models of vehicles coming out so they get their new data.



Just my 2¢

"What the captain doesn't realize is that we've secretly replaced his Dilithium Crystals with new Folger's Crystals."

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[goombawaho]

I'm still waiting to hear from AllData support on what my options are (if any). Not buying any new DVD drive yet.

 

[goombawaho]

Here is the AllData solution.

http://www.adsupportweb.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=72

The funny thing is that the customer doesn't want to do it now - probably because he would have to pay me to do it since he's nearly computer illiterate.

Funny and what a waste of brain power.