Re: Error msg.

[scdbackup@gmx.net]

Hi,

Craig Harding:
> I'm tring to write an iso file to a blank'ed dvd-rw disc and I got this
> error. I know that the error msg speaks for itself (medium error), but
> just wondering if it could actually be something else besides my dvd as
> I've used this disc a few times already. It was burning for about 10-15
> minutes before it timed out. Any help appreciated, thanks.

I have experienced similar effects with DVD-RW myself.
They can be very annoying while one is developing own
burning software and unsure wether such is a self-made bug.

My oldest DVD writer (LG GSA-4082B) initially was able to
write to a spindle full of 4x DVD-RW. Then it began to produce
write errors (much like the ones you experience) or OPC errors
on most of those media if they were in sequential state (i.e.
like cdrecord uses them). A few weeks later the ones in
overwriteable state began to die too.
2x DVD-RW from another brand and spindle still work fine.

Much later i bought a NEC ND-4570A and could revive the
unusable 4x DVD-RW. No problems with them at first.
Meanwhile after half a year i experience write errors again.
With old 4x DVD-RW, not with newly bought 4x DVD-RW.
But one of my DVD-ROM drives cannot read the new 4x DVD-RW.
The old LG drive does not burn the new 4x DVD-RW but is
the fastest and most reliable reader for them.
A new PHILIPS USB burner takes those new Verbatim 4x DVD-RW,
gnaws a while on them and then states that there was no media.

I tested this with all programs i know for this purpose:
cdrecord, growisofs, wodim, cdrskin. All the same.
It is not a simple software bug.
It must be related to firmware, drive ageing, media ageing.

So for my backups, i prefer DVD+RW. Some of them die from
time to time, but there is no mass extinction to fear.


Have a nice day :)

Thomas