Hi, I'm trying to burn data to a DVD using my DVD RAM drive. When I copy the files into the DVD writing folder it is way over what the actual size of the files are. I used XP burner first, then Nero. Nero showed the size of the files,which was incorrectly shown as kb #e.g. showing 127kb, actual 127mb. Just as strange is my burning disk is 4.7gb. but when I go to burn it cannot because it reads way over 4.7gb. Don't know if this is relevant to my problem, but I've been noticing in My Computer the drive reading as CD-ROM. I restart my computer and it returns back to DVD RAM Drive.I re flashed the drive, but still not working. Burned fine last night. I never seen this before and couldn't find similar issues on the web. Of importance that I get this disk burned and out by tomorrow morning. I would appreciate any help given to resolve this. Thank you...Garry
How-To Geek Forums » Windows XP
DVD ram drive misreading file size, Can't record
(20 posts)
Garry, you have a DVD-RAM drive? Is this also a DVD writer? What kind of blank media are you using? There are so many different kinds, -R, +R, RW, RAM and so on. Then every different type of DVD writer has different capabilities. Try running Nero InfoTool which can be downloaded from this page. It gives information about the drive and it's capabilities and the media. That might tell you where the problem is.
I have seen the behavior that you mention where Windows sometimes calls a drive DVD-ROM and other times CD-ROM or R/W, etc. I don't know what causes it, but it seems to be typical.
Oh, I just noticed something. You said you "used XP burner first". Would that be the CD burning that is built into the OS? I've never been happy with it. It queues up files that are "waiting to be written to disc" -- you have probably seen that message. It may be that XP has a list of these files that is 127 MB or it may be that the XP software is interfering with Nero. So, my suggestion would be that you pick one and make it work. Having two burning softwares has been known to create conflicts.
Scott, I have run the program, but don't know what to look for. Could you please tell me how to post the pict you need. I tried with notepad but takes up alot of space. I am sorry to add to the problem. thanks...Garry
Yes Xp built in burner. Also used Nero. Both have identical problems, but Nero showed me the sizes.
I do see in the drv's section InfoTool lists CD-Rom drv's. Don't know if it's relevant.
I must sign-off. I have to get up in a couple hours to prepare for a trip to the hospital for surgery. Will check back, hopefully, in a couple days. Best wishes & thanks for your generosity...Garry
Scott, I hope you are still out there. I apologize the length of time past, but I would like to tell all that my cancer op. went well, but sitting is still very painful, so please, hang in there with me as I'll be in and out. Here's what I found of any relevance...
Nero InfoTool 4.00
Drive Information
------------------
Drive : ATAPI iHAP322 8
Type : DVD-RAM Recorder
Firmware Version : UL15
Buffer Size : 2 MB
Date : 2008-09-25
Serial Number
Vendor Specific : 2008/09/25 11:24
Drive Letter : D:\
Location : 1:0
Mechanism : Tray
Read Speed : 16.0 , 12.0 , 8.0 , 6.0 , 4.0 , 2.4 X
Write Speed : 16.0 , 12.0 , 8.0 , 6.0 , 4.0 X
Disc Information (D:\)
-------------------
Type : Blank DVD+R
Interface Information
---------------------
Adapter 1
---------
Description : Primary IDE Channel
Driver
Description : system32\DRIVERS\atapi.sys
Company : Microsoft Corporation
Version : 5.1.2600.3300 (xpsp.080125-2027)
Description : IDE/ATAPI Port Driver
Attached Devices
Description : Master: QUANTUM FIREBALLP AS40.0
Type : Disk Drive
DMA : On
Adapter 2
---------
Description : Secondary IDE Channel
Driver
Description : system32\DRIVERS\atapi.sys
Company : Microsoft Corporation
Version : 5.1.2600.3300 (xpsp.080125-2027)
Description : IDE/ATAPI Port Driver
Attached Devices
Description : Master: ATAPI iHAP322 8
Type : CD-Rom Drive
DMA : Off
Autorun : On
#NOTE: There are some questionable items I found within the infotool. My DVD-RAM reads and writes at 48x, but is listed much lower. Also,my DVD -RAM drive is on the same cable as my HDD Quantum Fireball, Also, I noticed my drivers for the hardware is from the Microsoft Corp. And my DMA is turned on, but elsewhere is turned off. Now, to top all this off, I downloaded and installed Micosoft Updates and once I rebooted , no sounds at all from xp or anywhere else. Nothing that I checked is muted. I didn't mention that I have an Audigy sound card installed to which I updated.# An off topic worth mentioning to you as for your earlier help is I'll be receiving my new pc with the buggier board. Maybe I'll get to use this one for 2wks before having to send it back (LOL). I believe it's not the boards at all but a po-po chip namely the 75i. Don't want to get off topic, but could you please help me with this sound problem. Also, as you mentioned earlier just how do I empty my Win Burner so to eliminate any conflicts there. My sitting time is maxed out and must lye down for a bit, but will check back periodically. Thanks in advance, along with the best of wishes Garry
Hi Scott and all others. Scott I removed the "enable DR Recording on this drive", rebooted And still have no sound either on on WinXP or on DVD-RAM. Have a couple days before new pc arrives, but want to network them together, so the sound issue on my xp pc I would like to have resolved beforehand. Should I remove my Audigy card, put back to onboard sound, though this would be a drastic move om my part, since I can't pick up anything as yet, and still am having pains while taking deep breathes.Want it fixed , but not at that expense. But, am willing to do so if need be. Is there anything we could try to eliminate what it isn't or find the actual cause to this problem? Sure could use your experience on this and of course would be deeply gratified for any help you can send my way. With much thanks already and much appreciation for past and any present help from you. Garry
ram drive
Garry, you should start a new topic for the audio problem. Just refer back to this one.
The first thing that I find odd with the Nero InfoTool output is that it says version 4.00. The version of InfoTool that I linked you to, above, is version 5. On my system, it specifically lists the version as "Nero InfoTool 5.3.3.0".
When there is no disc in the drive, the read and write speed returned are the maximum available. However, since you are running the tool with a blank DVD+R disc, it tailors the read and write speeds to what is available for that disc. 48x is a CD read speed -- there are no consumer drives that read DVDs at 48x. The read and write speeds of 16x DVD that you see are normal.
As for the location, the tool says the hard drive is on the primary IDE as master and the CD/DVD is on the secondary IDE as master. See what you get in Device Manager for a second opinion.
The drivers listed, atapi.sys, are by Microsoft and should be. ATAPI is the standard for ATA (or "IDE") storage devices. I don't know why the DMA says OFF but, here again, double check in Device Manager. Finally, maybe version 5 of the tool will fix this.
Hi Scott, Thanks for your continued help.I finally did take out my Audigy card and hooked up the onboard sound setup. Still nothing, I then updated everything I could to the card, messed that up some (incorrect drivers or such), then finally after reseating the card into another PCI slot I uninstalled everything while in safe mode used the original CD to re-install everything. Have all my sound restored. Don't think I'' be buying a multi-tasker DVD-RAM drive after this ordeal, though. I think buying 2 drives will give my a more trouble free environment to work with. All is working as it should, but for how long is questionable . Thanks again Scott for your help, but also in the way that you help, You're a very good teacher. Best wishes Garry
Garry, thank you for the kind words. It's great for me to be recognized as a teacher.
So, where are we with the DVD burning? It sounds like maybe you are tired of fighting with it for now. As for Windows 7, you might want to grab a license and the CD image for the Release Candidate (RC) now, since they will stop giving them out on Aug 15.
ScottW, Sorry for missing your last post. Seems like the DVD-Ram is back to recording as before (for now). As far as the Nero 4/5 version issue, the answer is that I have Nero 4, but never used the infotool , because I couldn't understand it, so left it alone. Thanks to you it is somewhat more clearer as to its uses and potential in finding out what's going on inside the drive. And as for the Win7, I downloaded it the first issue we had together with the cannot re-install Vista. Hope I get the rig back as there is a 30 day download/install period allowed by Microsoft, though I believe you have to go through the whole process again. I did check both drives as you asked in Device Manager and they are both located at 0(0). I don't think this is right, is it? Thanks again and best wishes...Garry
Am feeling much better, thank you.
Garry, well I'm glad that burner is recording for you. Do you really have Nero 4? That is *very* old software. Maybe it's part of the problem.
As for the Location business in Device Manager, it is possible to have two devices with location 0(0) because all of these locations are *relative* to something. If the system has two separate drive controllers, each one would have a 0(0) location. To see this better in Device Manager, use the menu View -> Devices by connection. This will show the devices in a hierarchical tree view and you have to expand the branches to find your devices. When you do, you will be able to see what the "parent" device is and that is what the location is relative to.
ScottW, Yes the hard drive is primary and the DVD-RAM drive is secondary. This part of this utility I never had to use. Thanks, as I see it's value. As for the old Nero, well, you really don't want to know how old this XP build is either do you(LOL)? Best wishes to you...Garry
Garry, I'm glad to hear you are feeling better. As for how old your XP is, it can't be older than the original XP from 2001. However, if it has been updated with all the patches and service packs from Windows Update, it should be fine.
I did notice that the version number on your atapi.sys from the InfoTool shows as "5.1.2600.3300". This is *not* the final version of XP SP3, which ends in .5512. Apparently, this .3300 build is a Release Candidate (RC) of Service Pack 3. You might want to check on that. If your your whole system is running this unreleased service pack, you could encounter problems that are already fixed in the final release.
Hi. I have been having alot of trouble with this drive. I have just cleanly installed a fresh version of XP. Same thing is going on. Stick a blank DVD into the DVD RAM drive and it turns into a CD ROM in My Computer. The blank DVD capacity is 4.7 GB. But the capacity in the reader misreads it to 450 or 480MB. I don't know how it was fixed before, though I think it just came back. I would like to use my recorder again. Any help would be welcome.
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