I Posted a question some time ago regarding faster burning with CDR. I have a Mitsumi x32 and a x10 DVD drive. One of the replies I received suggested that I enable the DMA box in the Properies section for both drives. This I did but the drives were not recognised by the system. It didnt even show the drives in 'My Computer'

Each drive is on its own IDE Cable
The DVD is set at Master and the Mitsumi is set a Slave

It takes about 15 mins to burn an 74 min Audio CD. Thats about a speed of x4, I think.
Any suggestions where I go from here. :confused:

If the burner is on its own IDE cable it
should be set as Master.

Which software are you using? You should
have the option of 4x 8x etc. Trying to
burn too fast causes coasters unless the
CD-RW is a burn-proof unit.

Please let us know how ALL of your IDE devices
are cabled to the Mboard. (CD-ROM, HDD)

Are you using a RAID setup?

Thanks.


RD.

I’m using an ASUS A7V133 Motherboard. This has four IDE connectors.
The two Hard Drives I have connected to Primary Ultra ATA100 IDE and Secondary UltraATA100 IDE sockets, using a cable for each. These are set as Master and Slave.

The DVD and CDR are connected to Primary IDE and Secondary IDE. Each has its own cable and are set as Master (DVD) and Slave (CDR)

There is a RAID0 option but there seems to be some issues mentioned in the Hand Book when configuring RAID0. i.e. install only identical hard disks, must be UltraATA/100 or Ultra ATA66 or Fast ATA-2 compatible. There seems to be no mention of CD Rom drives or DVD’s. So I’ve left the Jumpers set for ATA100 default.

I hope this helps you help me. Thanks Royston

If I don't get you wrong, then all 4 devices should be jumpered as master. Slave / master setting relates to the same channel (same cable) and not if the channel is primary or secondary.
For example, if you had both hard disks on the same cable, then yes one should be master and the other slave.

Hmmmm.....this sounds like one for mjc or perhaps Rick as he runs this same board.

I would run the HDD on the Promise for your RAID setup, but use the standard IDEs for the ATAPI devices. If you have just the two I would set each as Master on it's own channel.

O.K.

I see no mention of a CD-ROM so that tells me you
are using the burner as a CD-ROM also.

The reason I ask about a RAID situation is because
CD-R tech's will tell you that a RAID channel will not
support a burner. Burner best be on an IDE channel.

X32 is going to be your max read speed. Your burner
is probably something on the order of 10X16X32. With
10X being the max write speed.

Your burning software is probably doing its job with
a default setting (4X or 8X) to prevent buffer under-
runs and causing a coaster. Meaning data must be
supplied to the burner in sufficient quantity as there
can be no pause and wait. Burn-proof units do not
have this problem.

Which software are you using for the CD-R?


RD.

I'm using Nero 5.5 and/or Easy CD Creator 5.02 Platinum.


And thanks everyone for your help Royston

Let's say the Mitsumi unit is a 8X12X32. With
a rite speed of 8X it would take approx. 15 min.
to burn 74 min. of data.

So this tells me you are in the ballpark with
what you have done.

Think about it. The CD now contains 1 hour and
15 min. of music. (or data).

The only way I can see to improve would be to add
a CD-ROM and burn disk to disk.

The extra time spent when things are working
correctly is time well spent.

Next time using Easy CD browse for options and
you should have a burn speed option. Easy CD 5
(with upgrade) did and I always set it at 8X to
prevent buffer under-runs and creating a coaster.

DMA (Direct Memory Access) is beneficial for the
HDD. BIOS should have assigned PIO 4/5 for the
other IDE devices.


RD.

Also, would you post back if you are successful enabling DMA once you've switched your burner to the standard IDE?

There's a tool on the VIA website that allows selectivity regarding PIO or DMA. I actually like the IDE TOOL better than the upgraded BusMaster Driver. In the meantime I'll see if I can find the exact link to the tool.

As I am running the same board as you, I can tell you that initially it was like the quest for the Golden Fleece to get any answers why I couldn't get DMA enabled. My DVD player would not run smoothly without DMA support enabled.

RD, cannot remember...are you running the same board?

HERE'S the VIA link (http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=66) to the Miniport driver that will assist with enabling DMA.

Thanks for all your advice. I hope I can find the time to sort it out. When I do I'll get back to you. Thanks again for all your help. All the best Royston :)

Hi one and all,

I managed to get to the VIA website and downloaded the suggested driver and it seems to have worked.
When using Nero 5.5 to copy an Audio CD I noticed that the Buffer was steady at about 97%.
Prior the new driver it fluctuated from 98% down to 3%.
I copied a 40 minute CD and it took just 3mins 20secs.
I did notice that my DVD drive which I’ve had for at least three years reads Audio at only x12. So perhaps I will invest in a newer one which reads Audio at the speed my Mitsumi does (x40). That should decrease the burn time.
Thanks again for your help. Royston
:D