Finally got the LG GSA E60L (I think that's the number) and had no problems until today. Actualy burned the CMC media - DL+R with no problems. Had the disks, thought I might as well try them. Only today, DVDFab Platinum (newest version, not trial) won't move beyond 2.93% or so on the reading of disc, let alone get to the burning. I've tried closing, rebooting, Enabling/disabling Pathplayer - everything I've read about and cn think of, all to no avail. Burn log as follows (when worked when didn't). Note regardless of whether it worked or didn't, the Optiarc E drive is "selected" as the source drive even though it comes up in DVDFab as the F drive with the correct media started.


Worked:
5/21/2008 12:14:08 AM info ******************** Report session closed *********************
5/21/2008 12:04:55 AM info Finalization Time 00:03:35 - Total completion time 00:27:43
5/21/2008 12:04:55 AM info WRITE SUCCESS
5/21/2008 12:01:20 AM info Write finished in 00:24:08 - Finalization start here. Avg. burn rate 4.06
5/20/2008 11:37:51 PM info Lead-in burning time (mS) 0
5/20/2008 11:37:11 PM info Write started 3617424 sectors to write
5/20/2008 11:37:11 PM info Layer change set to LBA 1991712 (3.8 Gb.)
5/20/2008 11:37:11 PM info Writing speed requested x4.0, effective x4.0
5/20/2008 11:37:11 PM info layer break set by filesystem builder at 1991712
5/20/2008 11:37:11 PM info Available write speed: 4x
5/20/2008 11:37:11 PM info Media ID: RITEK-D01-01
5/20/2008 11:37:11 PM info Media type: Dual Layer DVD+R
5/20/2008 11:37:09 PM info Optimal Layer Break is in cell 26, around 01:10:52
5/20/2008 11:37:09 PM info Scanned files #29, folder #2 - total size 7407310962 b. (6.9 Gb.)
5/20/2008 11:37:09 PM info Inserted media type : DL DVD+R
5/20/2008 11:37:09 PM info Write started
5/20/2008 11:37:07 PM info New media inserted. Burning layer is ready to write
5/20/2008 11:37:05 PM info Compatible media types : DVD-R, DVD-RW Seq., DVD-RW RO, DVDRAM, DVD+R, DVD+RW, CD-R, CD-RW, DL DVD+R, DL DVD-R
5/20/2008 11:37:05 PM info New Drive selected : 0:0:0 - HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GSA-E60L 1.00 [F] (Usb)
5/20/2008 10:57:29 PM info Current Drive selected : 1:0:0 - Optiarc DVD RW AD-7530A EX32 [E] (Ide)
5/20/2008 10:57:29 PM info Using Patin-Couffin driver Version 1.37, Internal revision 37 - Async. Access mode
5/20/2008 10:57:29 PM info User default language : 1033 (0x0409h) - English (United States)
5/20/2008 10:57:29 PM info System default language : 1033 (0x0409h) - English (United States)
5/20/2008 10:57:29 PM info DLL Version 2.1.7.338
5/20/2008 10:57:29 PM info DLL C:\Program Files\DVDFab 5\vso_hwe.dll
5/20/2008 10:57:29 PM info Version 5, 0, 2, 0
5/20/2008 10:57:29 PM info ExeName : "C:\Program Files\DVDFab 5\DVDFab.exe"
5/20/2008 10:57:29 PM info OS : Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
5/20/2008 10:57:29 PM info ******************** Report session started ********************

Didn't work - stalled at about 2.93% (reading/decoding):



5/22/2008 1:31:27 AM info ******************** Report session closed *********************
5/22/2008 12:45:15 AM info Compatible media types : DVD-R, DVD-RW Seq., DVD-RW RO, DVDRAM, DVD+R, DVD+RW, CD-R, CD-RW, DL DVD+R, DL DVD-R
5/22/2008 12:45:15 AM info New Drive selected : 0:0:0 - HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GSA-E60L 1.00 [F] (Usb)
5/22/2008 12:35:11 AM info Current Drive selected : 1:0:0 - Optiarc DVD RW AD-7530A EX32 [E] (Ide)
5/22/2008 12:35:11 AM info Using Patin-Couffin driver Version 1.37, Internal revision 37 - Async. Access mode
5/22/2008 12:35:11 AM info User default language : 1033 (0x0409h) - English (United States)
5/22/2008 12:35:11 AM info System default language : 1033 (0x0409h) - English (United States)
5/22/2008 12:35:11 AM info DLL Version 2.1.7.338
5/22/2008 12:35:11 AM info DLL C:\Program Files\DVDFab 5\vso_hwe.dll
5/22/2008 12:35:11 AM info Version 5, 0, 2, 0
5/22/2008 12:35:11 AM info ExeName : "C:\Program Files\DVDFab 5\DVDFab.exe"
5/22/2008 12:35:11 AM info OS : Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
5/22/2008 12:35:11 AM info ******************** Report session started ********************

Personally, I can't see what's different except one read/burn was successful and one wasn't. Even the Optiarc drive was selected as "source" drive by DVDFab on the log though the media analyzed and selected was clearly selected as the F drive. Anyway, it stops at about 2.93% completion and I can no longer get beyond that no matter what I do. I mean, it literally hangs there for a really, really long time - hours even - and nothing happens. Eventually - maybe - it might come up with something to the effect with Retry/Abort/Ignore, etc. I've tried enabling/disabling PathPlayer, rebooting, etc., all to no effect. Completely stumped at this point as to why it read/copied it so well one day and the very next day with no changes of any kind whatsoever it doesn't work at all.

Oh, by the way this is a disc in the Sex and the City series. The first two worked smashingly and the third: nothing....sigh. Several other discs before this worked beautifully also.

One thought occured - could the disc be scratched somehow? Can't see anything, but could that be the issue? Any thoughts/ideas?

Thanks for any help,
Mamabird

*******************
--Windows XP Professional
--LG GSA E60L
--Type of media - LG above runs everything well (so far!) but not an issue at this point as it never even gets to blank media as regards this issue.
--Sony Optiarc AD7350 - drawer out, stilled installed as this is a laptop and it can't be removed.
--DVDFab Platinum 5.0.2.0

bad media - not a software issue

Hi again Mama,

Geesh, you are just bound and determined to burn up the last of your leisure time on this stuff, huh?...

First off, since this is a one disc problem and occurs consistently at the same location on the disc everytime...well, there you have it...it's a source disc issue as cybmole said.

Regardless of the fact that the disc looks "ok", try cleaning it.
Use a soft, lint-free cloth...something like a lens cleaning, microfiber cloth is ideal. Isopropyl alcohol, windex, etc.,...absolutely no solvents that would degrade plastics.
Wipe out from the center spindle area as spokes on a wheel...and not in circular movements.

If still no luck...use some Brasso (yup, the metal polish). This will act like a jeweler's rouge and can be very effective in "restoring" a disc.
Another household product to try is Pledge or a good carnuba car wax.
This will help "fill in" any surface defects and help the laser focus.

Commercial restoration is available, but probably an insane remedy for this disc. It doesn't sound like a priceless family treasure...

Re: the Optiarc being "selected" as the first, source ODD...this is normal behavior as long as it then, correctly selects your LG.
I suspect this is simply a function of how your system is configured.

For eg., Fab first selects my Benq 1655 as the source...at least according to the log. Then it correctly selects the source ODD (usually one of my Liteons...great readers!), ie., the one I configured as the source in Fab.
My rig has 4 ODD's (2 IDE and 2 SATA) and 4 hdd's (4 SATA). If you look in my bios, the Benq is actually the Primary IDE Master. None of this "selection business" should have a negative effect on the actual process of reading and burning.

Now, go enjoy the rest of your time off...it'll be over before you know it (big sigh).

[Edit]
Sorry, I meant to add...as a last resrt, you could try other software to rip the disc. I doubt there's any fancy protection here...maybe the good ole dvd decrypter or shrink may work. You never know with this stuff. Like medicine, sometimes things just get better, or worse and you really never know why.

So it would seem! Actually, except for this recent glitch, I've just been popping them in while I go do other things. I've had my rest and fun, now I'm getting the house ready to rent before I head back to Michigan and the "grind". Doesn't take but a minute or so to swap out discs from the drive!

Well, I did finally come to that conclusion. All the other discs in the set have decrypted/copied without a single hitch. I did find the scratch on that one - likely I can find a replacement on Ebay or something but I'm in no rush at all. Don't really care that much - like you say, it's not a "priceless family heirloom"!


Good info for the future if I need it - doubt I'll go to those lengths for this one though, especially not commercial restoration!

Oh, okay; good to know. I wouldn't even have noticed it if I hadn't looked at the log....like I said, I haven't had a bit of trouble since getting the new LG - it even burned the yucky HP DVD+ DL's. Been using Ridata since, as I couldn't find Verbatim printables from Singapore on the shelves. The Ridata was *cheap* and available. Did find a source for TY's online which I'll order at some future time most likely.

Actually, I do find this rather enjoyable and as mentioned elsewhere, I'll not have much time for this when I get back. On top of everything else I've got to start studying for boards. Now THAT'S a big sigh!!!

Like I said, not worth the effort. Did a clean uninstall of all the other stuff and don't want to mess with it any more.

Ain't it the truth!!

Thanks once again for the help and info!
Mamabird