CD Ripping problem

[crashtest]

I have a Lite-On 52x CDRW drive, and after I installed the latest update for my Intel 955 motherboard, the system slows down a bit while ripping a CD with this drive. What is the problem? I have the latest firmware from lite-on, so is there some setting amiss?

Also, I have a DVD burner, Plextor 716uf external. The CD ripping speed never goes above 17x. Is there a way to make this faster? Shouldn't it be reaching at least 24x or higher? The same applies to the above lite on drive, never above 20x or so.

My computer is not the problem, I believe either the bios or settings are. I have a 3.6 P4 with 2 gigs of ram.

 

[ProviaFan]

Sorry, I have no idea on the first, but on the second: how is the external drive connected? If by USB, does the drive support USB2, are you using a USB2 cable, and are you sure the drive is connected into a USB2 port (some motherboards have both USB2 and USB ports).