ASPI Layer query

[pucko]

I recently installed a new system; AMD Athlon 64, 3000+ 2Ghz, 640MB DDR400, nVidia 5200 card, Sony 540 DVDwriter, Samsung 80GB 7200rpm, WinXP Pro SP2. My previous system was an Intel P4, 1.6Ghz, 640 SDram, 40GB, WinXP Pro SP2 with same graphics card and DVDwriter.

In my previous system, the System ASPI layer was automatically loaded during the installation of some application that needed it, a long time ago. Graphics performance in this old system was acceptable and even Half-Life2 ran absolutely fine.

In my new AMD64 system, when I checked for the ASPI layer I noticed that only the Nero ASPI layer is installed. The System ASPI layer is currently NOT installed. So, my specific query is - is it essential to also have the System ASPI installed?

While my new system runs fine with most applications, I am wondering if the absence of the System ASPI layer could affect overall graphics performance, particularly when I have to read from my DVD-drive? I noticed that when I installed and tried to run Chronicles of Riddick (PC-DVD Rom), which requires the disk to remain in the drive - the graphics are extremely choppy even in 640x480 mode. Not what I would expect from a new system with this configuration. BTW, Riddick is the only game I've loaded in the new system, so far.

If the System ASPI layer is indeed essential, how do I install it independantly?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[LiLithTecH]

If you have Nero ASPI installed it is generally all you will require.

The ASPI layer is primarily used in SCSI devices (Cdrom drive, Zip drive, scanners) and
IDE\ATAPI CDRoms (and Zip drives)

If you are having problems in video playback being choppy you need to look
at the settings of the CDrom & Hard Drives (specially what mode they are set to)

The nVidia 5200 is by no means a barn-burner for the latest video games, especially
one as graphic intensive as Riddick.

Also, try the update for Riddick as it fixes a lot of issues with video drivers.

 

[pucko]

Many thanks for the inputs.

Could you elaborate a bit about which specific settings / mode on my DVDwriter / HDD I should be looking at and what would those ideal settings be? Sorry, Im a bit of a newbie

BTW, the update for Riddick seems to be available only for the US version; I have the UK version which they say is not yet out for download. Interesting...why would the US and UK versions of the same game be different...or require seperate updates?!

 

[LiLithTecH]

I am assuming that your hard drive is on the Primary channel and the CD/DVD drive is on the Secondary channel
.
To check DMA mode settings:

1. Go to START \ SETTINGS \ CONTROL PANEL \ SYSTEM
2. Double-click SYSTEM icon
3. Click on Hardware
4. Click on Device Manager
5. Double click on IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers
6. Double click on Primary channel
7. Click Advanced Settings and check it says DMA if available and is set to Ultra DMA, mode 5
8. Do the same for the secondary channel -- it should be Ultra DMA, mode 2

WinXP will downgrade the mode status based on the number of errors (CRCs) it detects.
You do not want any of the modes set to 'PIO only'

 

[pucko]

Thanks again, for the advice.
OK, I've checked the mode settings you suggested. I have 2 primary channels and 2 secondary channels (I have 2 HDDs 80GB + 40GB, 1 CDwriter & 1 DVD writer) and the settings are:
Primary Channel: DMA if available and Current Transfer Mode is set to Ultra DMA, mode 2
Primary Channel: DMA if available and Currennt Transfer Mode states 'not available'
Secondary Channel: DMA if available and Current Transfer Mode is set to Ultra DMA, mode 2
Seconday Channel: DMA if available and Currennt Transfer Mode states 'not available'
Is this OK?