Burning issue

[sosaysmorvant]

I'm having trouble burning my DVDs using DVDFab. I've used the product for several years without issue, but now I'm at a loss. I can't put my finger on it. Anyhow, the drive stops writing half way through the process (or sometimes aborts shortly after it starts). I purchased a new external writer thinking my old one was the culprit, but the same problem persists. The media is the same (sony dvd+r) as before.....I even tried to use an older version of DVDfab to burn a folder (movie) that was on my hard drive....with no success.

My event log states: [Unit attention, Power On or Bus device reset occured] on all of the failed attempts. Could I have a problem with the usb port? One of the full event logs is as follows:

2010-03-30 20:53:33 ---- ******************** Log session stop 30-Mar 20:53:33.921 PID 5044********************
2010-03-30 20:52:33 Error WRITE FAILED: Can't find write strategy at sector 63504
2010-03-30 20:52:11 Error Write error at 63488 (16) - Code 06 29 00 [Unit attention, Power On or Bus device reset occured]
2010-03-30 20:49:04 Info Lead-in burning time (mS) 34868
2010-03-30 20:48:29 Info Write started 2202240 sectors to write
2010-03-30 20:48:29 Info Init success: DVD+R
2010-03-30 20:48:29 Info Writing speed requested x16.0, effective x16.0
2010-03-30 20:48:29 Info Available write speed: 18x ,16x ,12x ,8x ,4x
2010-03-30 20:48:29 Info Media ID: SONY-D21-00
2010-03-30 20:48:29 Info Media type: DVD+R
2010-03-30 20:48:29 Info Scanned files #23, folder #2 - total size 4509057024 b. (4.2 Gb.)
2010-03-30 20:48:29 Info Inserted media type : DVD+R
2010-03-30 20:48:29 Info Write started
2010-03-30 20:48:16 Info Writable disc DVD+R inserted. Ready to write
2010-03-30 20:48:06 Info Parsing disc ...
2010-03-30 20:37:10 Info No disc in drive.
2010-03-30 20:10:46 Info Disc (DVD-ROM) not emtpy.
2010-03-30 20:10:44 Info Compatible media types : DVD-R, DVD-RW Seq., DVD-RW RO, DVDRAM, DVD+R, DVD+RW, CD-R, CD-RW, DL DVD+R, DL DVD-R
2010-03-30 20:10:44 Info Drive has IDE-ATAPI physical interface
2010-03-30 20:10:44 Info New Drive selected : 0:0:0 - HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GE20LU10 FE06 [F] (Usb)
2010-03-30 20:10:13 Info Current Drive selected : 1:1:0 - PHILIPS DVD+-RW DVD8631 CD21 [E] (Ide)
2010-03-30 20:10:13 Info Using Patin-Couffin driver Version 1.37, Internal revision 37 Async. Access mode
2010-03-30 20:10:13 Info System default language : English (United States)
2010-03-30 20:10:13 Info User default language : English (United States)
2010-03-30 20:10:13 Info DLL Version : 4.0.7.466
2010-03-30 20:10:13 Info DLL : C:\Program Files\DVDFab 7\vso_hwe.dll
2010-03-30 20:10:13 Info Version : 7, 0, 3, 0
2010-03-30 20:10:13 Info ExeName : C:\Program Files\DVDFab 7\DVDFab.exe
2010-03-30 20:10:13 Info OS : Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (Build 2600: Service Pack 2)
2010-03-30 20:10:13 ---- ******************** Log session start 30-Mar 20:10:13.093 PID 5044********************

[Guest]

Using a usb drive I have never had success at any write speed above 8X.
You are trying to use 16X slow down your burn speed.

Also I just noticed Fab has miss spelled the word empty. This of course means nothing to your problem.

Info Disc (DVD-ROM) not emtpy.

[Guest]

Re - read the log and see you are using Sony D21 disc.
Many drives do not do well with the D21 media.
The only coaster I have had in years was with this media.
I had to use 4X to get decent burns with it.

Do you have any other media you could try at 8X burn speed?
At any rate try 8X with the D21 instead of 16X.

[W&B]

Just adding some other things to Gruñón's good advice if still no luck. I noticed you have sp2, not a bad idea to install sp3 and try ImgBurn (click the link in my sig) and follow Troy512's video tutorial (1st link in his post) on how to set it up with Fab.

PHILIPS DVD+-RW DVD8631 CD21 [E] (Ide), this isn't the burner your using but it does have a firmware update available Here, doesn't hurt to keep it updated in either case. Your external burner has the latest update that I could find.

[sosaysmorvant]

Well, I decreased the burn speed and I changed the usb port......the first try resulted in a failure (but it was not the same error as I've had previously). I tried to burn the folder to a DVD, but the current DVDfab version prompted me if I wanted to overwrite the file. Since I wanted to burn that file, not overwrite it, I opted out. I used an older version of DVDfab (v.4) and the DVD ripped properly.

So, I'm still unsure what is causing the erratic behavior of my DVD writer.....but it got me the back-up I needed. I'll have to do some more investigating as time permits to iron things out.

Many thanks for the advice. I'll try to get the Imgburn working in the near future. I haven't had much time for tech stuff lately....which is why I freaked when my writer kept failing DVDs for a week or so!

Just curious - what are the best blank DVD(s) to use when burning with DVDfab or Imgburn??? I had been using the Sony D21s for a couple years without issues.....but I'm willing to switch brands if it causes less headaches.

[W&B]

Verbatim and Tayio Yuden are the most recommended, Verbs can be purchased at some retail stores such as Office Max and Ty's have to be purchased online.

[CBR929]

sosaysmorvant
If you have a Best Buy nearby they have Verbatim on sale you will find them here http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Verbatim...43&st=VERBATIM

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Verbatim+-+50-Pack+16x+DVD-R+Disc+Spindle/7263052.p?id=1117177062678&skuId=7263052&st=VERBATIM

Just make sure to check on line price as they are always higher in stores but if you tell them the price on line they will adjust the price for you .