I have backed up 40 or 50 DVD movies using DVD Xcopy (ver 4.0.3.8) over the past year or so. With the latest encryptions though it's hard to made backups so I downloaded AnyDVD about a month ago. It worked with everything I tried to burn which has been about 10 or 15 movies. The trial version expired so I went to Slysoft's web site today and bought it. Ver 5.6.1.1 is what downloaded. I installed it and everything went fine. I then proceded to back-up Madagascar. It went through the copying process fine but as soon as I click "Start" when it came time to burn the DVD, I get a pop-up error message: "Error Writing DVD Please check the log file for more information". I checked the log file and the only error is "00407400: initialization of the writing device has failed:". I tried it a couple more times but still have the same problem. I downloaded the trial version of Clone DVD to see if maybe something went wrong with DVD Xcopy even though it was working last weekend. I get the same type error using Clone DVD.

Now I'm getting fustrated after having just spent $40 for my registered version of AnyDVD. OK, maybe it's just Madagascar and AnyDVD won't allow it to be copied. I get one of my oldest DVD's (Coma to be exact). I know there is no encription to stop me from copying it. Now it won't work. Every DVD I try to copy now gets the same error. It acts as though it's is copying but when I hit "Start" for the burn process, I immediately get the Error Writing DVD message.

About an hour ago, Slysoft put out a new version of AnyDVD. I downloaded version 5.6.3.1 hoping it will fix the problems. It didn't and I get the same error messages.

HELP
jshe

if you had no problem ripping it and the problem came when it was time to WRITE the files then anydvd has already done it's job and is not to blame.

the error tells you what's wrong: initialization of the writing device has failed. that means there's something wrong with communication to the burner.

i'd check connections to make sure something didn't come loose. does the burner read discs that have been inserted? what model is the burner? what firmware do you have? how old is it?

Just like you said it copied fine. It is not the ripping process you are having problems with. Reasonsnotrules indicated you have a communication problem with the burner and I concur.

Check your DMA settings!

My burner is a NEC DVD RW ND-2500A about 6 or 8 months old. The connections are fine. I can watch DVD's on the burner, I can burn music CD's. It's just DVD movies that won't burn after installing the registered version. Sorry but I don't know where to look for a firmware version.

The last time I used it and it worked fine was with the trial copy of AnyDVD. I made a backup of "Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo" last weekend.

What are they supposed to be? Right now my Primary IDE Channel Device 0 and Device 1 are both set to "DMA If Available" on the Transfer Mode and "Ultra DMA Mode 4" for the Current Transfer Mode.

The Secondary IDE Channel is set as Device 0 and Device 1 are both set for Transfer Mode: "DMA if available" and Device 0 Current Transfer Mode "Ultra DMA Mode 2" and Device 1 Current Transfer Mode is "DMA Mode"

Here's what shows in Hardware Resources DMA:

Channel 2 Standard floppy disk controller OK
Channel 3 ECP Printer Port (LPT1) OK
Channel 4 Direct memory access controller OK

Hi
For latest f/w.
To check current f/w download infotool

It looks like my settings are ok according to that link. Thanks though. Any more ideas????

What about rolling back the driver on my burner. I see there is an option to do that. I can also do a System Restore if anyone thinks that will resolve the problem.

I'll look tomorrow, it's getting late and I've been trying to make this work for about 8 or 9 hours now.

jshe

System Restore...yes.

Jshe28,
System Restore...No. (sorry feedback10k)

System restore might stop your problem but does not solve your problem. And you're gonna need AnyDVD and CloneDVD to overcome the new protections which have appeared over the last 1/2 year and will only get tougher. Using 4.0.3.8 leaves you very ill equipped to deal with these new protections. BTW Madagascar has one of the toughest protections to ever come along and using an old program like yours to attempt backing it up may be an exercise in futility. But as you said, it's happening with all your originals now.

Agree with all that AnyDVD is not the problem. But I think the error message from both CloneDVD and 4.0.3.8 could also mean that the writer cannot initialize writing with the particular media you are using. Is there any chance you changed media brands lately? Or bounce around buying different brands of media because they are on sale or other reasons?

Upgrade the firmware for your burner. Your more modern backup software may need better capabilities from your burner.

Another cause for you errors could be a conflict caused by your trusty old ver 4.0.3.8 that is affecting the more technically current programs you have just started using.

As far as ver 4.0.3.8 goes, you don't have DVD-X-Copy which was a fine program. DVD-X-Copy stopped development at version 1.5.2. What you have is DVD-X-Copy Platinum which replaced the original DXC and which was poorly engineered and caused no end of problems for most users! I am surprised you got as many backups as you said you got. Sorry to say it but it's kindergarten as far as backup software goes. But the good news is you just entered grad school by ordering the AnyDVD and CloneDVD combination!

Platinum is a relic that is has not been updated for years and may (to keep things non-technical) have elements loaded and fuctioning on your computer that conflict with the newer, updated AnyDVD and CloneDVD functionalities. I know it is hard to give up something that your are used to and I also know it is hard to reactivate Platinum after deleting it, but you might want to consider uninstalling it in favor of AnyDVD and CloneDVD hereafter ... world without end. Suggest using the programs own unstaller (if there is such under Start/Programs/xxx/xxx rather than Windows Add/Remove programs. It the uninstaller asks you if you want to uninstall components that other programs may also be using answer "Yes". Then reinstall CloneDVD and AnyDVD over the existing installs you have already. And don't forget to save your activation keys to both programs on diskette first in case anything goes wrong.

And no cheating ... second mention ... Upgrade the firmware for your burner.

Best regards,
Whisperer

[i]Whisperer1 said: "the writer cannot initialize writing with the particular media you are using. Is there any chance you changed media brands lately? Or bounce around buying different brands of media because they are on sale or other reasons?"[/I]

OK, Whisperer1, you won the cupie doll.

I never even thought of it. Here's what happened. I bought a 50 pack of DVD+R. I backed up about 45 movies with them. I was given a surround sound system that had a DVD player built in but it wouldn't play any of my DVD+R backups. I bought a 3 pack of Memorex DVD-R to see it they would work in the new player. They did, so I bought a 50 pack of FujiFilm DVD-R. After reading your post and remembering that this was a new media, I tried to burn a movie with one of my old Sony DVD+R and it works like a champ.

All is good in the world again. (For now anyway)

Thanks a lot for all the suggestions and help.

whoops nm.

but I don't want a cupie doll. Can I get money instead?

Find out what media brand name your burner and player like and standardize on it. Don't "buy around". Check for and update your burner's firmware as often as new versions appear. Even the single brand of media you standardize on can change in characteristics due to future manufacturing changes. And the packaging will look just the same. Updating firmware keeps your burner up to date in recognizing new media changes because the media manufacturers notify the drive makers of changes to be incorporated into new firmware versions. NEVER buy Memorex media ever! And if you are going to use +R media, booktype. Many, many players don't like +R that is not booktyped. Even if yours does, you may buy other equiptment in the future that won't like +R and you may render your backup library useless. Most players do, however, like -R media. Go to the DVD media area of cdfreaks and read, read, read, to learn more.

Buy the CloneDVD2 when your 21 days are up. Used with AnyDVD, you won't be sorry considering the protection storm we are all navigating.

Thanks again Whisperer1, I'll check out the DVD media area. I'm sure there are many different opinions on media. The Sony DVD+R's seem to have worked well on the 50 or so movies I burned on them but I'll be switching to -R's so, do you have any suggestions on a reliable brand?

I'll check out the firmware and keep it updated. I'll also use the CloneDVD and learn it. I wish I had bought it at the same time as the AnyDVE so I could have saved $20 or so by buying a package deal.

Oh btw, the checks in the mail

ttyl and thanks again
jshe28

Good catch Whisperer1.

@Jshe28
Get this freeware program to identify your DVD's so you will always know what disks you are actually using. Many name brands like TDK etc. use different manufacturers for their disks. I have seen, by the way, TDK made by Ty Yuden, CMC Magnetics and of course TDK.
As far as using DVD+R most newer DVD players have no problems with that format. If you do need to change booktype / bitsetting use ImgBurn Located Here to burn your DVD's it is freeware as well. It is developed by the great LIGHTNING UK! author of DVD Decrypter. It uses an improved version of the burning engine in DVD Decrypter.

Regards,

I used Dvd X Copy Platnium for a long time, (trying to wring out my money's worth) , but when it started to die, I switched over to Any & CloneDVD2 and have never looked back or regretted it since.
Whisperer1 is giving you the staight and narrow. Make the change, it's well worth the money, even if you missed out on the package deal.
All said and done, it's still an incredible bargain as compared to what Mr. Moore charged us.

Oh boy ... that's the fun part dude! And I just wouldn't want to hamper your fun by simply giving you a recommendation! There is generally no great, single truth to your question. For instance I have seen postings that Sony +R is not as reliable as you have found them. I have a Pioneer 110D burner and it absolutely loves Sony -R as does my JVC player. But i have seen posts from people who cut up my beloved Sony -R! So waddayagonnasay? The answer depends on your burner and player. Don't just choose from what your local electronics store has on it's shelves. Shop around at other stores, and check out internet retailers. I hear there are web stores that will sell you a sample pack of different -R media so you can test. All I'm gonna do at this point is send you to the cdf media area and push you into the water ... you gotta learn to swim.

feedback10k,
I just don't buy media brands that rotate manufacturers like the ones you mentioned. I just can't tolerate wasting time, energy and money using media ID programs to figure out what I bought this week! I just buy or order the best. Sony, Verbatim, TY. But i can get my Sony -R's locally so that is my standard.

Also, thanks man, but I don't go much for the freeware stuff. But I would sure be interested in hacked firmware that would allow my Pioneer 110D to booktype reliably, by default, both +R DL and +R SL from CloneDVD. Or a standalone utility that would function with my 110D. Clone DVD (as of the current release), by itself, does only DL booktyping and even then, the burner has to be capable of booktyping, on it's own, by default. I love Pioneer functionality and MTBF but they just can't get it through their heads that we need their burners to bitset +R by default. Dumb engineers don't get out enough I guess!



sockeye,
Are you the same sockeye from the After Dawn fourms? I'll tell you a little secret. I still have the original 321 Studios DXC v. 1.5.2 loaded and operating on my backup box. I dread the day that drive crashes because I will never be able to reactivate. Been thinking about "Cloning" the Drive to a new hard drive just to keep DXC. For just average, vanilla protections and when used with AnyDVD, it works beautifully to this day. It found the layer break perfectly and many tier1 quality programs can't even do that. Never upgraded to Express or Platinum because of all the problem posts I read on the AD DXC forums.

But CloneDVD and AnyDVD are my exclusive choices for todays protections.

Best regards,
Whisperer