Hi all,

I've created a working backup of UT2003, and more recently Hitman2 (both SecuROM *NEW*) - Thanks to the support from this forum and especially ViRuS2k

Although I've followed the guides and successfully made working backups, I can never create a perfect BWA file! It always has a couple of big spikes here and there - I've even tried reading at 1x speed with my CDRW (Liteon 48125W) and DVD (Liteon 166s). I've been using BW 4.2.5 with the BWA Builder.exe from BW 4.2.8. and I'm running Windows 2000 Pro SP3.

I don't want this to sound like a complaint as I'm aware that some people are still having difficulty making backups of their beloved originals, but I've tried a number of things to get "The Perfect BWA!"

This includes:
- Trying different versions of BWA builder and BW
- Trying both CDRW AND DVD drives
- Closing all running apps, even disabling Norton Antivirus and Firewall.
- Formatted my whole PC (don't laugh!) and installed Windows 2000 Pro instead of XP Pro.
- Considered buying the newer 52x Liteon as it has a 6 series mediatek chip (or something like that)
- Considered buying another brand CDRW like ASUS or Toshiba
- Considered buying shares at Princo for the number or CDR's purchased to test all this!

So the question has to be asked:
What is the secret to creating perfect BWA's every time?

Any help, ideas, tips and suggestions would be extremely appreciated.
I also think this would be a good discussion topic for everyone too!

Thanks again, and Cheers!

I think it isn't software based at all. I have a toshiba dvd and it leaves my plextor far away when creating a correct .bwa. The diagram is perfect without big spikes or something anormal considering we are treating with securom.

Good luck!

Hi mate thx for the complement

ok its not hardware based its software.

what ASPI drivers do you have installed ?

also did you try creating a MDS with alcohol at 2x then converting to BWA with BWA builder this will garantee good looking results ....

I'm using ASPI 4.6 (ForceASPI) - I always have as I've never had a problem with that version.

No I haven't tried alcohol at ALL!

I'll give it a go to make a better looking BWA (MDS), then I'll try again.

Thanks for your help mate

no problemo

I tended to get bad bwa files, so I installed win98 and tried to make bwa files there. These files are far more better than the ones made under WinXP. I have a Pentium III 500 and I know it's a bit old, but using win98 did the trick for me.

The only thing know is that I get great bwa files, but I just can't burn anything other than coasters with them. I tried the downloadable bwa files and they give me same result.

ps. mediatek 6 chipset is indeed better with bwa-builder, but don't just go and buy another drive just for that.

Thanks Jay Sea,

It's interesting how you changed your OS to Windows 98 and got better results, well better looking bwa's. I tried going from Windows XP to Windows 2000 - although these OS's are almost similar.

I'm still getting used to Alcohol 120% as I've never used it before.
I've always been a CloneCD person, but these days it seems you have to be a Blindwrite/Alcohol/DiskDump+Fireburner/Discjuggler/CloneCD person!