DVD burning freezes my computer.
 

I just recently formatted my computer and I'm having this problem using Nero 6 and 7. (Note: I always used Nero before and didn't give me any problems.) Everytime I try to burn a DVD, it stops at a random % and freeze my computer completly. I did wait for a while before rebooting it, so it couldn't be a lag. I thought it was because of my DVD, so I switched and tried again. Same thing. What could be wrong with it?

Here are my specs:

Processor: AMD Ahtlon 64 3800+ X2
PSU: WinPower 420W
Motherboard: Asus A8N-SLI
RAM: 1.7 GB PC3200 DDR400
CD/DVD drive: BenQ DW1610

um hard to tell what is wrong from what u have said, but here are afew things u can try.

1. reset ur bios
2. check device manager for any missing drivers
3. consult the benQ website and locate a firmware update

hopefull one of them should solve ur problem

I'm gonna take a shot in the dark and say these versions of Nero are...pirated? If so that could be the problem and the release group the uploaded these versions online did a poor job with cracking the program. If not then a firmware upgrade sounds about right and not to mention checking out the device manager for any hardware devices with a yellow icon, which should indicate something is wrong with the device. Something else I would try is, burning DVDs with another program. If you're burning DVD Video, be sure to output the file as an ISO if you're using DVD Shrink. If not then download and install PgcEdit and create an ISO with that program and burn the image file with ImgBurn. That is a great program to burn DVDs, the quality reads from Nero indicate the upper 90s when talking about quality writes to the disc.

Links for both programs below...

http://www.videohelp.com/~r0lZ/pgcedit/index.html

http://www.imgburn.com/

Nero is pirated, you got that right, but I used a keygen instead or a crack so Nero is faulty? I also updated the firmware yesterday, still the same thing. I checked the device manager and still haven't found an error.

I'm trying to burn a data DVD though. Any recommendation for a good one?

Hmmm, Nero does have it's share of problems...which proves my theory once again that Nero shouldn't be used to burn DVDs. Which so happens to all the rave at the Doom9 forums. I've come across a few hitches with Nero, the continued 6.6. versions and tried it with other programs without any problems. As for another program to recommend, I'm not sure if Alcohol 120% writes DVD data to discs but you may want go that route. It's been so long since I've used that program but I vaguely remember that it does, either way it's a good program to have regardless. Another cause which happens during encoding is overclocking the CPU or RAM. Keep your setup at stock speeds and try it that way. Also be sure to check out the event viewer in the Administrative Tools tab in your control panel. Click on system once you're in there, see if any errors were logged with either a program or piece of hardware. I've come across a few bad burns as of late and with the help of a few members here, it turned out to be bad sticks of memory. RMA'ed it this morning and glad to have everything working as it should. :)

A thought that just came over me, you're not using cheap media are you?

Always used Maxell/Memorex without any problem.

Check your memory (memtest) and hard disk (chkdsk) for errors. While you're at it, defrag your hard drive.

Are you multitasking while burning DVDs? Some versions of Nero don't work and play well with XP. Case in point, the version on this computer here locks up during the lead in/lead out phase if Nero doesn't have the focus.

No, I wasn't multitasking while burning. (I never do)

Zergrinch, ran Memtest, defragmented my HDD and still nothing. Could it be my DVD drive is simply dying?

Could possibly be. Are you using the latest version of Nero?

Yeah I tried using the lastest version of Nero as well as the 6.X.X.X version.

Same thing.

Try checking your application and system logs for any errors or warnings prior to your system hard-freezing on you. Also double check you case temperature in the event your ambient temp is getting too hot and overheating your RAM, CPU, etc. If you have another computer available, install the drive and the same version of Nero on that machine. That way you can determine weather this is a software issue or a hardware issue.

I found the error:

Apparently, the nVidia IDE driver had problems.

Thank you all. Closed.