I have an NEC ND 3500 DVD writer and am running windows XP SP1. I had been using Nero v6 for some time without any problems but decided to upgrade to version 7. Big mistake!! All of a sudden I could not burn DVD's and would get an "invalid block address" message and have the project freeze at 1-2% complete. Even stranger was that occasionaly nero would be able to burn a sucessful DVD ( 1 in 7 disks or so) and it always was able to burn CD's and read both CD and DVD's. I tried several different media (Verbatrim 16x, TKD 8x, Fuji 8x) and a different burning app (Ashampoo Burning Studio) which gave the same results.

So I decided to get rid of nero 7 by uninstalling it and cleaning up the registry with registry mechanic, and re-install nero 6. This didn't work so i downloaded all the nero clean tools and they didn't work. Then i thought it would be an ASPI conflict and stripped all the ASPI layers off and just install the nero 6 aspi layer, but that didn't work. I updated the firmware of my NEC burner which didn't solve the problem and even tried uninstalling my DVDRW drive and reinstalling but again that didn't work.

So now i'm scratching my head and need help. I'm thinking is my drive knackered but that wouldn't make sense as all i did was install nero 7 and it stopped working. Are there registry entry's that nero 7 adds that arent removed or picked up with any uninstallers? Is it windows? Is the "invalid block address" terminal and what exactly does it mean? Has anyone else had similar problems with either nero 7 or the NEC burners?

Please help if you can.

PS. Here's the nero log.

Windows XP 5.1
IA32
WinAspi: -
ahead WinASPI: File 'C:\Program Files\Ahead\Nero\Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=2.0.1.74, size=164112 bytes, created 26/10/2004 18:35:34
Nero Version: 6.6.0.13
Internal Version: 6, 6, 0, 13c

Recorder: <_NEC DVD_RW ND-3500AG> Version: 2.1A - HA 2 TA 0 - 6.6.0.13
Adapter driver: <> HA 2
Drive buffer : 2048kB
Bus Type : default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ?
CD-ROM: Version: 2.2a - HA 1 TA 0 - 6.6.0.13
Adapter driver: HA 1

=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral : Maxtor 6Y120L0 nvatabus Port 0 ID 0 DMA: Off
DiskPeripheral : Maxtor 6Y060L0 nvatabus Port 0 ID 1 DMA: Off
CdRomPeripheral : SONY DVD-ROM DDU1621 nvatabus Port 0 ID 0 DMA: Off
CdRomPeripheral : _NEC DVD_RW ND-3500AG nvatabus Port 0 ID 1 DMA: Off
CdRomPeripheral : AXV CD/DVD-ROM 2.2a a347scsi Port 1 ID 0 DMA: Off

=== CDRom-Device-Map ===
AXV CD/DVD-ROM M: CDRom2
_NEC DVD_RW ND-3500AG E: CDRom1
SONY DVD-ROM DDU1621 D: CDRom0
=======================

AutoRun : 1
Excluded drive IDs:
WriteBufferSize: 83886080 (0) Byte
ShowDrvBufStat : 0
BUFE : 0
Physical memory : 1023MB (1048052kB)
Free physical memory: 486MB (498312kB)
Memory in use : 52 %
Uncached PFiles: 0x0
Use Inquiry : 1
Global Bus Type: default (0)
Check supported media : Disabled (0)

25.3.2006
UDF/ISO compilation
19:16:15 #1 Text 0 File Isodoc.cpp, Line 6194
Iso document burn settings
------------------------------------------
Determine maximum speed : TRUE
Simulate : FALSE
Write : TRUE
Finalize CD : TRUE
Multisession : FALSE
Burning mode : DAO
Mode : 1
ISO Level : 1 (Max. of 11 = 8 + 3 char)
Character set : ISO 9660
Joliet : TRUE
Allow pathdepth more than 8 directories : TRUE
Allow more than 255 characters in path : TRUE
Write ISO9660 ;1 file extensions : TRUE

19:16:15 #2 Text 0 File Reader.cpp, Line 127
Reader running

19:16:15 #3 Text 0 File Writer.cpp, Line 122
Writer _NEC DVD_RW ND-3500AG running

19:16:15 #4 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 3293
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

19:16:15 #5 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 3293
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

19:16:15 #6 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3167
Turn on Disc-At-Once, using DVD media

19:16:15 #7 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 260
Last possible write address on media: 2298495 (510:46.45, 4489MB)
Last address to be written: 2001807 (444:50.57, 3909MB)

19:16:15 #8 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 272
Write in overburning mode: NO (enabled: CD)

19:16:15 #9 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 2339
Recorder: _NEC DVD_RW ND-3500AG, Media type: DVD-R
Disc Manufacturer: MCC 03 - RG20
Disc Application Code: 64, Disc Physical Code: 193

19:16:15 #10 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 438
>>> Protocol of DlgWaitCD activities: <<<
=========================================

19:16:15 #11 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 830
Setup items (after recorder preparation)
0: TRM_DATA_MODE1 ()
2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
original disc pos #0 + 2001808 (2001808) = #2001808/444:50.58
relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/ required, no patch infos
-> TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 2001808 blocks [_NEC DVD_RW ND-3500AG]
--------------------------------------------------------------

19:16:15 #12 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 1043
Prepare recorder [_NEC DVD_RW ND-3500AG] for write in CUE-sheet-DAO
DAO infos:
==========
MCN: ""
TOCType: 0x00; Session Closed, disc fixated
Tracks 1 to 1:
1: TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048/0x00, FilePos 0 0 4099702784, ISRC ""
DAO layout:
===========
__Start_|____Track_|_Idx_|_CtrlAdr_|_RecDep__________
0 | lead-in | 0 | 0x41 | 0x00
0 | 1 | 0 | 0x41 | 0x00
0 | 1 | 1 | 0x41 | 0x00
2001808 | lead-out | 1 | 0x41 | 0x00

19:16:16 #13 Phase 24 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Caching of files started

19:16:16 #14 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 4051
Cache writing successful.

19:16:16 #15 Phase 25 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Caching of files completed

19:16:16 #16 Phase 28 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Speed measurement started

19:16:16 #17 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2609
Verifying disc position of item 0 (relocatable, disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #0

19:18:25 #18 Text 0 File WriterStatus.cpp, Line 116
<_NEC DVD_RW ND-3500AG> start writing Lead-Out at LBA 2001808 (1E8B90h), lenght 0 blocks

19:18:25 #19 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 228
all writers idle, stopping conversion

19:18:25 #20 Phase 29 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1781
Speed measurement completed: 22.8x (31,506 KB/s)

19:18:25 #21 Phase 36 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Burn process started at 8x (11,080 KB/s)

19:18:25 #22 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2609
Verifying disc position of item 0 (relocatable, disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #0

19:18:25 #23 Text 0 File DVDR.cpp, Line 2267
Recording mode: Sequential Recording Mode

19:18:25 #24 Text 0 File Mmc.cpp, Line 21469
Set BUFE: Buffer underrun protection -> ON

19:18:25 #25 Text 0 File DVDR.cpp, Line 2421
Start write address at LBA 0
DVD high compatibility mode: Yes

19:18:25 #26 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 8438
---- DVD Structure: Physical Format Information (00h) ----
Layer: 0, Address: 0 (0 h), AGID: 0; Length: 2050
Book Type: DVD-R (2), Part Version: 5
Disc Size: 120 mm, Maximum Rate: (F h)
Number of Layers: 1, Track Path: Parallel Track Path (PTP), Layer Type: recordable
Linear Density: 0,267 um/bit, Track Density: 0,74 um/track
Starting Physical Sector Number of Data Area: 30000 h (DVD-ROM, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW)
End Physical Sector Number of Data Area: 26127F h
End Sector Number in Layer 0: 0 h (LBN: FFFD0000 h, 4193920 MB)
Data in Burst Cutting Area (BCA) does not exist
Start sector number of the current Border-Out: 2FE10 h
Start sector number of the next Border-In: 2FFA0 h
Media Specific [16..63]:
00 60 00 10 20 30 40 50 - 00 00 00 21 00 00 00 00 .`...0@P...!....
00 02 FE 10 00 02 FF A0 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................

19:18:28 #27 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1288
19:18:28.459 - _NEC DVD_RW ND-3500AG\H2 T0 : Queue again later

19:18:35 #28 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1288
19:18:35.049 - _NEC DVD_RW ND-3500AG\H2 T0 : Queue again later

19:18:43 #29 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1288
19:18:43.120 - _NEC DVD_RW ND-3500AG\H2 T0 : Queue again later

19:18:44 #30 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1288
19:18:44.072 - _NEC DVD_RW ND-3500AG\H2 T0 : Queue again later

19:18:57 #31 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1288
19:18:57.080 - _NEC DVD_RW ND-3500AG\H2 T0 : Queue again later

19:19:04 #32 SCSI -1064 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1436
SCSI Exec, HA 2, TA 0, LUN 0, buffer 0x03F30000
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x05 (KEY_ILLEGAL_REQUEST)
Sense Code: 0x21
Sense Qual: 0x02
CDB Data: 0x2A 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x80 0x00 0x00 0x20 0x00 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0x70 0x00 0x05 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x0A
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x21 0x02

19:19:04 #33 CDR -1064 File Writer.cpp, Line 311
Invalid block address

19:19:04 #34 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 228
all writers idle, stopping conversion

19:19:04 #35 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 222
conversion idle, stopping reader

19:19:04 #36 Text 0 File DVDR.cpp, Line 2658
EndDAO: Last written address was 127

19:31:17 #37 Phase 38 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Burn process failed at 8x (11,080 KB/s)


Existing drivers:
File 'Drivers\PXHELP20.SYS': Ver=2.03.28a, size=20640 bytes, created 26/10/2005 20:12:48 (Prassi/Veritas driver for win 2K)
File 'Drivers\a347scsi.sys': Ver=3.47.0.0 built by: WinDDK, size=5248 bytes, created 30/04/2004 09:33:00 (Adapter driver for src)

Registry Keys:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\AllocateCDROMs : 0 (Security Option)

First of all - active DMA

Using several burning software applications simultaneously on your PC may cause interference problems. Some burning software will keep a driver or part of the program resident in your memory, which could cause problems with other applications.
To avoid these kind of problems, please remove all your recording software and reinstall only 1 application, preferably the software that came with your drive...

DMA is enabled but does not display as per the link you sent as my motherboard is using the nforce 2 drivers (displays as NVIDIA Nforce 2 (tm) SPP/IGP ATA Controller). Clicking properties Primary channel DMA diaplays as "Ultra DMA 6 - Ultra133" and Secondary displays as "Ultra DMA 2 - Ultra33".

When i started having problems i only installed a second burning application (Ashampoo burning studio) as a test and removed it when i discovered it made no difference to my burning results. Also ran registry mechanic to remove its left over registry entries.

Ok I think i know what is causing the problem and my dvd writer is not ready for the bin at all. If you have similar problems, this could be the case for you as well.

I have a copy of windows XP on my second hard drive in case of emergencies and that copy has had nero 6 installed on it but not nero 7. So i connected my slave hard disk drive as the master and disconnected my main hard disk that had the problem nero installation. I burned a few dvd's to see if i had the same problem and hey presto! the problem was gone!

So this can only mean one thing. That it was nero 7 that stopped my dvd writer from working and that the nero 7 uninstall does not remove everything that it installed in the 1st place or that nero 7 modifies a file or setting in windows XP. And do the chaps over at Ahead know about this problem?

I really dont want to have to reformat and could really do with some help from someone who knows better about this stuff than me on how to fix the problem.

If you have a link to anything you think might help, it would be apreciated too.

Many thanks.

There are clean tools available on the Nero web page to clean out programs and registry entries for Nero 7.

As stated in my original post i have tried all the nero clean tools without sucess.

ive been pirating for years now.. movies software ect
i used nero pirated and it killed all my burners

if you use a pirated serial it will kill your computer after a few months
now that windows xp has come out with sp3
it locks down any iso file that are rips from microsoft cant burned... touched move ...delete even with file unlocking software
the goverment gave software company the right to destroy computers that steal ...ive lost 2 now
i bought a new one and took the dvd and cd burners from the old and they were still dead

nero killed destroyed my new one to
screw nero
stick to open source burning software from http://sourceforge.net/
in google when i look for software i add the word sourceforge into it
and i always find what i need without all the nastys