help, NEC 3520A problems

Devil2U

Senior member
Nov 11, 2004
514
0
0
I recently bought myself an NEC 3520A OEM DVD Burner (16X Dual Format/Layer).

I worked great during the first week I had it, buring a dvd in about 8-10 minutes (4X). However, it is now giving me some problems.

When I burn a disk in Nero 6 Express, the RAM cahce is constantly going up and down. The hard disk buffer also slowly goes all the way down, then fills back up. A burn can now take over 20 minutes. With verification, it can take 45 minutes. Plus, when ever any system sounds play during a burn, there are distored and sound crackly.

During my first week of use, it would burn a dvd quite fast and the cache level would stay at or near 100%. I have been using the same type of media ever since I got the drive.

I have been trying to think of what might of changed on my system that could of caused the problem to occur. New drivers, apps, etc...
The only thing I was able to think of was an update I did to my Creative Audigy 2 sound card recently. So I removed the updated drivers and went back to the ones on the CD that came with it. I have also disabled all anti-virus/spyware scanners.

This is such an odd issue, that at this point I can only conclude that the drive has failed in some way. If you are having a problem like this, please post! If you have any advise on how to further troubleshoot this issue, I would also welcome your input. Thanks.

Here are my system specs for reference:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 3/27/2005, 23:24:44
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: GBT___
System Model: GA-7VAXP
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2500+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.8GHz
Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 421MB used, 2041MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: RADEON 9800 PRO
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: RADEON 9800 PRO AGP (0x4E48)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4E48&SUBSYS_00021002&REV_00
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (85Hz)

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: SB Audigy Audio [B000]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_10071102&REV_04
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0383 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 4/10/2003 21:32:36, 502160 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Creative
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 4000, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 64, 56
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 64, 56
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: Yes
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: SB Audigy Audio [B000]
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0383 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 4/10/2003 21:32:36, 502160 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xFFF

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: Enabled
Ports: SB Audigy DirectMusic Synthesizer [B000], Hardware (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
SB Audigy Audio [B000], Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SB Audigy Synth A [B000] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SB Audigy Sw Synth [B000] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SB Audigy Synth B [B000] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SB Audigy MIDI Port [B000] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SB Audigy MIDI Port [B000] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Input, No DLS, External
Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
Device Name: Mouse
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Keyboard
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Thrustmaster Vibrating Joystick (USB)
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x044F, 0xB305
FF Driver: C:\WINDOWS\System32\TMMFFbck.dll
FF Driver Date: 9/6/2002 07:57:46
FF Driver Version: 0.02.0004.0000
FF Driver Size: 81920 bytes

Device Name: Nostromo n52 Speedpad2
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x2
Vendor/Product ID: 0x050D, 0x0815
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x1106, 0x3038
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Lower Filters: vulfntrs
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 8/3/2004 22:08:42, 57600 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 8/23/2001 04:00:00, 4736 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------
+ PCI bus
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0a03
| Service: pci
| Driver: pci.sys, 8/3/2004 22:07:46, 68224 bytes
|
+-+ Creative Game Port
| | Location: PCI bus 0, device 11, function 1
| | Matching Device ID: pci\ven_1102&dev_7003&subsys_00401102
| | Service: gameenum
| | Driver: gameenum.sys, 8/3/2004 22:08:22, 10624 bytes

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/3/2004 22:14:36, 52736 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/3/2004 21:58:32, 24576 bytes
|
+ HID Keyboard Device
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x050D, 0x0815
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_keyboard
| Service: kbdhid
| OEMData: 03 00 88 11 18 00 00 00
| Flags 1: 04000000
| Driver: kbdhid.sys, 8/3/2004 21:58:34, 14848 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/3/2004 21:58:32, 24576 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 00:01:07, 40840 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/3/2004 21:58:32, 24576 bytes
|
+ Microsoft USB Wheel Mouse Optical (IntelliPoint)
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x045E, 0x0040
| Matching Device ID: hid\vid_045e&pid_0040
| Upper Filters: Point32
| Service: mouhid
| Driver: mouhid.sys, 8/17/2001 13:48:00, 12160 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/3/2004 21:58:32, 23040 bytes
| Driver: point32.sys, 5/15/2003 15:41:16, 19072 bytes
| Driver: ipcoin2.dll, 5/15/2003 15:41:16, 94208 bytes
|
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x050D, 0x0815
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
| OEMData: 03 00 88 11 18 00 00 00
| Flags 1: 04000000
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/3/2004 21:58:32, 23040 bytes
| Driver: mouhid.sys, 8/17/2001 13:48:00, 12160 bytes
|
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x050D, 0x0815
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
| OEMData: 03 00 88 11 18 00 00 00
| Flags 1: 04000000
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/3/2004 21:58:32, 23040 bytes
| Driver: mouhid.sys, 8/17/2001 13:48:00, 12160 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 00:01:07, 40840 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/3/2004 21:58:32, 23040 bytes

----------------------------
DirectPlay Service Providers
----------------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Passed, Half Duplex: Passed, Mic: Passed
DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
Registry: OK

-------------------
DirectPlay Adapters
-------------------
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Local Area Connection 6 - IPv4 -

-----------------------
DirectPlay Voice Codecs
-----------------------
Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s
Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s
Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s
MS-PCM 64 kbit/s
MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s
Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s
TrueSpeech(TM) 8.6 kbit/s

-------------------------
DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
-------------------------

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 1.1 GB
Total Space: 38.2 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: MAXTOR 6L040J2

Drive: E:
Free Space: 5.8 GB
Total Space: 305.3 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: Promise 2+0 Stripe/RAID0 SCSI Disk Device

Drive: F:
Free Space: 4.3 GB
Total Space: 117.2 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: Maxtor 6Y120L0

Drive: D:
Model: LITE-ON LTR-52327S
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/3/2004 21:59:52, 49536 bytes

Drive: H:
Model: _NEC DVD_RW ND-3520A
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/3/2004 21:59:52, 49536 bytes

Drive: G: (Daemon Tools)
Model: Generic DVD-ROM SCSI CdRom Device
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/3/2004 21:59:52, 49536 bytes
 

NateSLC

Senior member
Feb 28, 2001
943
0
0
I would say it's the free space on your hard drives. They're all far too low.

Clean up them hard drives!
 

esinem

Junior Member
Apr 2, 2005
1
0
0
I just received the same model drive (ND-3520a) as an exchange from newegg.com, and during the very first burn I noticed some of the problems that you described. It seems to start out fine, but then every couple of minutes or so (while not running any other programs) the drive light will flash once and the device buffer drops and then refills in a split second.

Also, if I try to do something fairly simple like open a web browser it completely drains the cache creates a coaster out of the DVD. I never had any problems like this back when I was using the ND-2500.

And in response to NateSLC and Algere, I have at least 20 gigs of free space and the drive is set to DMA. Someone please help!
 

Devil2U

Senior member
Nov 11, 2004
514
0
0
Originally posted by: esinem
I just received the same model drive (ND-3520a) as an exchange from newegg.com, and during the very first burn I noticed some of the problems that you described. It seems to start out fine, but then every couple of minutes or so (while not running any other programs) the drive light will flash once and the device buffer drops and then refills in a split second.

Also, if I try to do something fairly simple like open a web browser it completely drains the cache creates a coaster out of the DVD. I never had any problems like this back when I was using the ND-2500.

And in response to NateSLC and Algere, I have at least 20 gigs of free space and the drive is set to DMA. Someone please help!


You too?!?! I also got mine new from New Egg..... oaky, now I am certain the drive is wacked. Guess I'll call NewEgg and get a (hopefully functional) replacement.
 

Algere

Platinum Member
Feb 29, 2004
2,157
0
0
Originally posted by: esinem
I just received the same model drive (ND-3520a) as an exchange from newegg.com, and during the very first burn I noticed some of the problems that you described. It seems to start out fine, but then every couple of minutes or so (while not running any other programs) the drive light will flash once and the device buffer drops and then refills in a split second.

Also, if I try to do something fairly simple like open a web browser it completely drains the cache creates a coaster out of the DVD. I never had any problems like this back when I was using the ND-2500.

And in response to NateSLC and Algere, I have at least 20 gigs of free space and the drive is set to DMA. Someone please help!
Where is it set to DMA mode? BIOS and/or Windows? & if on Windows, does Windows automatically revert back to PIO mode when set to DMA mode - presumably after system restart? or not?
 

Auric

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
9,591
2
71
'twould be wise to check the IDE schtuff from CMOS setup. Generally defaults are auto detect 'n' such so aren't a problem. Generally a cable problem should be detected by Windows and be logged in Event Viewer. An 80-pin cable is recommended, particularly if it is an ATA66/UDMA 4 drive. Most likely the culprit is the storage controller configuration for that channel in Windows Device Manager or the driver itsownself (especially if already showing DMA mode). Try uninstalling the controller and after refreshing or rebooting make sure to install the specific manufacturer's driver rather than a generic one. If you are not sure it has been installed previously then fetch it first (from Intel, VIA, SiS, NVIDIA, etc). If all else fails, upgrade the drive's firmware and likewise mobo BIOS. Good luck.