DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

DVD RW problem

24 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/dvd-rw-problem.48601/

codename_romeo
codename_romeo Original post #1
Feb 5, 2007 at 10:32 PM
I am having a HP DVD 735 model. I am using it for the past 3 months and it has been running without any flaw. But today itself it started giving me a strange problem, it used to copy DVD(s) well under 8 minutes....but now it takes 60 minutes or more to read my dvd(which i have used earlier)...these dvds are without any scratches....so that is not the problem.
Please help me
Lucky_star
Feb 5, 2007 at 10:38 PM
I have seen a HP pavillion desktop with the same problem in my friends house.
Have you installed any themes?
Do a system restore and see if the Problem still persists or not...

Or else Change the drive cable with a cable similar to the HD and try.


If all these doesn't work, reinstall XP.
__________
That drive which was causing problem took 1.5 hours to copy a DVD and 2 hours to write a DVD
codename_romeo
Feb 5, 2007 at 10:42 PM
No themes....jus pure win xp. I am scanning for viruses right now using kaspersky. I will try with the cables n then reinstallation
Lucky_star
Feb 5, 2007 at 10:45 PM
No, it isn't a virus problem. It generally happens with DVD drives. As I said, a simple system restore should solve the problem.
shantanu
Feb 5, 2007 at 10:53 PM
have you checked your data cables and all stuff try copying another DVD
codename_romeo
Feb 5, 2007 at 11:00 PM
can this be because of lens problem?
shantanu
Feb 5, 2007 at 11:03 PM
Yeah ,, you can buy a DVD-lens cleaner and try cleaning your lens ... It will cost you around 150/-
Lucky_star
Feb 5, 2007 at 11:04 PM
It may not be the problem with the lens as it is only 3 months old.
Now, before you say something, Just do System Restore.:D
shantanu
Feb 5, 2007 at 11:06 PM
And how come system restore helps in this... ????
Lucky_star
Feb 5, 2007 at 11:11 PM
Because in two of the similar cases I did a system restore and voila!, the problem is gone.

I am tellig to do a Sys restore because, in most of the cases its one of the softwares installed that causes the problem:)
codename_romeo
Feb 5, 2007 at 11:12 PM
i have turned off my system restore....so cant do it
shantanu
shantanu #12
Feb 5, 2007 at 11:16 PM
SO now when system restore is off then you can just first clear your lens , then try to remove any recently installed software
Lucky_star
Feb 5, 2007 at 11:16 PM
codename_romeo said:
i have turned off my system restore....so cant do it
:(

Ok, all said and done, remove the hardware from the Device manager, restart the compy and let Windows detect it.
codename_romeo
Feb 6, 2007 at 1:16 AM
Lucky_star said:
:(

Ok, all said and done, remove the hardware from the Device manager, restart the compy and let Windows detect it.

This method did not help.......i think i will have to buy a dvd lens cleaner
shantanu
shantanu #15
Feb 6, 2007 at 1:23 AM
try cleaning it !!! it might help
Lucky_star
Feb 6, 2007 at 1:25 AM
Ok, try that. But I think some software is the culprit here. If lens cleaning does't help, try Installing XP again. It will sure solve the problem;)
__________________
If you have Linux, boot into it and see if the problem happens there too. Also check if booting in Safe mode solves your problem...:)
shantanu
shantanu #17
Feb 6, 2007 at 1:30 AM
yeah !!! try booting in safe mode .. and VISTA ALSO.. try copying in vista.. ok if it solves the problem..

@lucky _star nice thought buddy... GREAT :D
rajasekharan
Feb 6, 2007 at 3:28 AM
yeah a reinstall of xp will solve your prob . . since dvd was working fine till yest . i dont think its a dust prob. .
codename_romeo
Feb 6, 2007 at 2:40 PM
I got a lens cleaner today.........but no use.
I think i will remove any recent software n then XP
codename_romeo
Feb 7, 2007 at 9:25 PM
Thanx everyone who helped me.............
I installed win XP again and my DVD RW is working without a problem
Lucky_star
Feb 7, 2007 at 10:39 PM
See naa! I had said you installing XP would solve the problem. System Restore would have done the job too, had you turned it on..

Now, if you want to turn off System Restore, turn it off on all drives except the one in which XP is installed. From the settings reduce the disk space used to minimum. So that you don't have to install XP again once you face the problem...:)
M
Feb 7, 2007 at 10:57 PM
sorry dude, got a bit late. but u did the sure-shot thing reinstall the OS(the best way to restore ur pc).

that thing happens to drives (hdd or rom/writer) when it starts to work in PIO mode instead of DMA (check in device manager).
all rom/writer now support DMA2 while HDD supports DMA5.

this thing happens when there is some driver problem (perhaps).and the best way to check it is to use some live linux cd to test ur driver before the hardware R&D. but be sure to set the DMA on while booting a live CD.
codename_romeo
Feb 8, 2007 at 4:31 PM
isnt there a method 2 get ur drives working back in dma mode instead of PIO?
saurav29
saurav29 #24
Feb 9, 2007 at 1:13 AM
codename_romeo said:
isnt there a method 2 get ur drives working back in dma mode instead of PIO?

:rolleyes: OOUCH....... For this you installed windows again..........

:-|
First Case Scenario:
DUDE remember this ........ if you are using Intel Based motherboard very easy solution Install Application Accelerator Plus...... Aka IDE drivers for your Motherboard it will select the best mode........

Second Case Scenario:
USE a 80 pin conductor cable the hard colorful end type cable for IDE devices it will select the best mode possible.... Donot rely on old cables if these things occur they may be not working fine (I once got message for my 80 gb IDE hdd Smart capability bad.....when i went to service centre they said no problems in hdd.... again i connected it to PC again HDD samrt capability bad working no problems .... with both Optical device and HDD on same IDE cable.. i Noticed that my HDD was running at UDMA 2 and optical drive DW2 mode ... Replaced the cable .......Problem Solved.........

Third Case Scenario:
actually try this first...........
go to device manager aka(rclk.. My computer>properties > Device manager..
The setting you require are under IDE/ATA/ATAPI controllers
Select your channel primary---> IDE 1 Or Secondary IDE 2 right clk and select advanced options... Set it to DMA if available.......
for both device..........
Restart........... The problem will be solved ....... At least should be solved in theory........

If not what the heck perhaps you did the right thing..... loose the copy of windows......... But it a hassel to bakup data and lie to those Customer care guys every time you try activating the windows..........

:D or may be not everybody requires to activate the windows................

Peace
Raj