Is my LiteOn 24x Burner Broken? Please help

[Jacelyn]

Here are my system specs:
Athlon XP 1800
512 ddr ram
LiteOn 24x on dma mode
IBM 46gig 7200rpm ata100 at udma 5

I use my burner extensively. I've made about 150 successful copies in 3 months. Zero coasters. In the past week or so, the burner refuses to burn normally at 24x. I use the latest version of nero and it burns perfectly at 16x. But at 20x or 24x, the buffer level state in nero seems to flucuate as the laser changes speed from 16 to 20 or 24. Here is what would happen when I burn a full 80min cd at 24x.

1. Burns normally until about 12percent.
2. At 12% (shift to 20x speed), buffer state level starts flucuating and when it drops below 20%, the burner pauses (smart-burn).
3. This continues until about 35? At this point, the flucuating become more vigorous (shift to full 24x speed i suppose) until it is complete.

The CDs are still successful but it has added an addition 1 and 1/2 minute to my burning time (from 4min to 5 and 1/2 min for a full 80min cd).

Here is what i've tried:
1. defragged hd.
2. updated aspi to 4.7
3. updated firmware to the latest version.
4. tried another burning software.
5. tried different cdr media (24x).
6. closed ALL background programs.

Are these problems from normal wear and tear or do I have a defective drive? Any info on my problems will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[spanky]

r u using 24x rated media?

 

[Jacelyn]

yes, i'm using 24x media

 

[elfnumber1]

-- heh --

NEVERMIND!

 

[10mA]

oh great, is the drive the LTR-24102b model? I just went out and bought it today! burnt a cd with AVI video clips successfully at 24x, but the damn movie won't play. The burner and harddrive leds just light up when I try to play the video!??

 

[Dreadogg]

are you guys using Windows XP? just because I have had so many problems with XP and drives floppy cd rom etc.. on many of my systems! I also have the 24 X model lite-on! It always burns fine for me but sometimes I cant read the media on a different machine, It really pisses me off If you are using XP make sure you go to the windows update site and install the patch for cd burners there has been two so far so there is a problem! Also make sure your HD and burner and not on the same IDE channel and DMA is enabled for both!

 

[SpacemanSpiffVT]

i have that model with xp, no problems at all

 

[Dennis Travis]

Like Dreaddog said, If you are using Windows XP for your OS check to be sure it's in Ultra DMA Mode. Open Control Panel, System, Device Manager, Hardware, IDE ATA/ATAPI Controlers and check the controler where the Lite On is connected and make sure it's using UDMA and not PIO. I have had XP switch if from UDMA to PIO a few times not on my main machine and when that happens get the same problems you are having.

 

[Dreadogg]

<< i have that model with xp, no problems at all >>

yes same here but there are known problems which are easily fixed!

 

[10mA]

oops! what a tool i am. I was burning at 24x on 16x media, no wonder i couldnt read the files. I could view the files on the cd though.