I just got a new Benq 1650 that I have installed as my secondary burner (my first is a Lite-ON SOHW 1673S. I burned the first disc (Verbatim -R 16X) at 8X speed & it took 18 minutes. The 2nd burn took 22 minutes and the 3rd burn locked my computer up at 27 mins.
The drive has the lastest firmware (BCFC). Any ideas as to what the problem is?
Also, I read where Creaky was talking about the multiple burn capability with Nero, both burners burning at the same time. Is that a feature of the newer Nero 7? I have Nero 6 and can't seem to find that feature.
* With OEM versions you can only write to one recorder.
* With Nero demo and retail versions you can write to four recorders.
...basically on the screen where you hit the burn or write button, the multiple recorders feature is a tickbox further down the screen. i only just recently discovered it, someone mentioned it somewhere and i tried it out, would never have noticed/used it otherwise
ps i did the odd burn at 16x for giggles and mine took far too long also. 8x is more than enough for me, especially with the multiple recorders feature
i'm on BCFC, applied that the day i installed the drive. have been burning up a storm at 8x on both my burners lately, especially utilising the awesome multiple recorders feature. also check the proverbial DMA settings haven't reverted to PIO... - http://home.comcast.net/~bbmayo/checking%20DMA.pdf
Creaky, thanks for the info on the multiple burners in Nero. I usually use Vision Express so will have to get more familiar with the Burning Rom part of the program to use the multiple burners.
As to my burning time issue, my WOPC is enabled and my computer is not overheating (clean of all dustbunnies on a regular basis).
I am checking for DMA but I get a completely different picture than what you guys have stated for that. When I go into my device manager & click on my ATA controllers, I get these two choices:
NVIDIA nForce3 250 Parallel ATA Controller
NVIDIA nForce3 250 Serial ATA Controller
(I have 4 hard drives - 2 serial & 2 parallel)
When I click on the Parallel Controller, I get a screen that I then have to click on either primary or secondary channel. The primary channel has my two hard drives & the secondary channel has my two burners. Each of them has a check next to LET BIOS SELECT TRANSFER MODE and the box for the transfer mode is greyed out but it says:
Master Drive BENQ Ultra DMA 2-Ultra 33
Slave Drive Lite-on Ultra DMA 4 - Ultra 66
I can unclick the BIOS selection box & that gives me the ability to change the transfer mode, but they are both set at the highest level of DMA available. So I guess this means that my DMA stays enabled, right?
I hope I made all this clear so you know what I am talking about.
I have exhausted all over avenues as to why my new BenQ takes 19 mins to burn 16X Verbs at 8X speed.
Quote:So I guess this means that my DMA stays enabled, right?
hmm...your DMA is on...my ONLY suggestion at this point would be to check the actual CABLES that you are using with your drives...are you using the "regular" flat ribbon 40 pin cable? i would suggest picking up the much better 40 pin/ 80 conductor cable to POSSIBLY increase the speed at this point...or use a round cable (that's what i use now for ALL my drives, got the suggestion from mort81 awhile back and haven't look back since, these work VERY well) :)
i got mine here: you have your choice of colors and they are VERY well priced; i would STRONGLY suggest you get the shorter length round cables...i use both a 18" and a 24", i would NOT recommend the 36" (unless you have a FULL SERVER case and you space your drives REALLY far apart, that length is NOT necessary and MAY cause a slowdown in ur system due to how far the signal has to travel back and forth) :)
since you bought your new drive, i am only assuming that you are using the OLD flat ribbon cable that you used before and simply swapped out the drives right? good chance ur ribbon cable is on it's way out, especially if it's all contorted or bent in a way to restrict the signal (internally how you have it setup to connect ur drives to the motherboard) :)
something as inexpensive as a new cable might just be the solution to ur issues~ :)
i've been using BCFC for MY benq 1650 for over a week now, my drive was BCAC from where i got it in Canada (manufactured Dec. 2005), i immediately flashed it upon installing to BCDC and put about 60+ burns using that firmware, but i am VERY pleased with the BCFC...burning everything @8x with EXCELLENT results~ :)
hope that sheds a bit of light on ur situation mickilea...something not many consider after the proverbial "check dma" and other system software tweaks, SOMETIMES it juss comes down to replacing an inexpensive cable and ur speed goes up :)
Taiyo Yuden 4x dvd-r TYGO1/ 8x dvd-r TYGO2/ 8x dvd+r YUDEN000T02/ 16x dvd+r YUDEN000T03
Verbatim 8x dvd+r MCC003
Verbatim dvd+r DL (MKM001)= flawless no compression backups
"Do Yourself A Favor, Use The Good Stuff
TY & Verbs 4 Life~ :)" ~docTY~
"Its better to be quiet and appear stupid, then to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
I am always prepared to recognize that there can be two points of view - mine and one that is probably wrong - John Gorton
I built this computer about 7 months ago & I used the round cables you are talking about. They are neon blue to match my neon blue fan cases. I don't remember the exact length, but they are the shorter ones. I guess i am just going to have to live with the longer burn times. I bought this BenQ because my Lite-On didn't like the Verbs (I use TY's most of the time) but depending on what I am burning, I have to use the Verbs occasionally & despite the length of burn, at least I am finally getting good burn on my Verbs. Every time I tried to burn them on my Lite-On I got coasters. So thanks for all the help guys. I guess this is one I just have to live with.
