i'm an old fart here and i'm getting ready to send one off to college. to make the thousands of miles less lonely, i thought i would send along some family favorite dvds. i've purchased dvdfab/Platinum and downloaded decrypter. have copied seven dvds thus far but now when i put in a dvd to be read for copy, the dvd just sits there and doesn't do anything. i hear a slight beep. the program doesn't seem to recognize the disc in the driver and my copying is at a standstill. any clues as to what the problem is or what i can do. i've checked these dvds and they are completely functional in all dvd players/tvs. now that i'm a member, i will go through and read through the guides. sorry if this question has been posed recently, i just don't have the time to read through a gazillion messages. reply as if you're talking to a 5 year old-where the pc/hardware et.al. is concerned. thanks in advance for your help.
You are using DVDFAB Decrypter HD to rip the DVD's to the HD first?? DVDFAB Decrypter HD: http://www.dvdfab.com/free.htm
yes, have downloaded the decrypt-hd program and it's the dvdfab one. have used it on seven of the dvds, which work on the laptop, all home tvs/dvd players and the dvd play that's going with the co-ed. i still have a few more movies to copy but my sony burner isn't reading the store purchased movies. i've spent the better part of my sleep time reading through the guides and such..but they don't help with this issue. i did find that people have troubles with their burned dvds but this is the opposite...i can't get my computer to read the store bought movies! however, if i play them on the computer, that's a whole different story. the computer does whiz and whir a lot but eventually it will play the movie in my viewing program. these are older movies and my burner is a dual layerd (so the techno geeks told me when i had the thing built--not an hp/dell/gateway) i also have pinacle 9.4? but that doesn't get me past the encryption problem...and i still need to read that book.
just thought of something. could my reader/burner be bad? how could i tell? i mean it does take a longer amount of time for it to read IF i just wish to view a movie. that would really bite if it was becaue this is the first time i've used the darn thing and to have it crap out after only 7 burns.
If these are older dvds you could try dvd shrink and see if that reads the disks. also you can try dvd decrypter. if you did DL the DVDFab HD decrypter then the copy protection is probably not the reason why you are having this problem. couple questions, What have you used(all programs to do the early dvds)? Do you have enought HDD(hard drive) space available? Do you have a DVD-Rom, besides your burner?
Ok, let me answer all these questions. First, this is the first time I've ever burned anything other than music cd's. (did those for the co-ed so as to not lose the originals while at college) This dvd "project" started with the seven that I successfully burned. These burned movie dvds are titles like: In Her Shoes, A River Run Through It, Dead Poets Society, Chocolat, My Cousin Vinny, The Notebook, A Fish Called Wanda. Again, they work in all players and computers. Sweet job for the first seven times and I thought I was hot sh*t at this! WRONG!!! Any of these movies that were longer I only burned the movie and not the whole dvd, as is an option with DVDFab and DVD HD Decrypt. The movies that the burner/driver can't read are Silence of the Lambs, Seven, Animal House, F.B.'s Day Off, Secondhand Lions, Crash, Runaway Jury, Blues Brothers, L.S.'s A Series Of Unfortunate Events, Big Fish, The Village, Welcome To Mooseport: what I again termed as older movies. When these movies are in the cd/dvd drive, they beep, make a few clicking sounds, and then the drive activity light goes from green to no light at all. I have only used DVDFab and DVD HD Decrypt. I do have the pinacle program but haven't read up on it as of yet and I don't believe I can use that to burn a movie copy. When this computer was built for me, I mentioned to the "geek" that I wanted to eventually convert my VHS movies onto DVDs. I wanted them to put in a quality software to assist with that project. Per their suggestion, the put in two HDD's so that I could edit my VHS stuff and split my dvd burns. So, there is no issue with space. And, after burning the first of seven, I would delete that file and subsequent files after burning. The door on the dvd driver says that it's a cd/dvd rw. I have burned the seven movies on a dvd+r disc by Virbatim. I was told that this driver is a dual layer. ***Later that same night*** I just pulled out the work order for this built job...See what you can make out of how this was put together. This was built in 2005 but I haven't used it much. 2 Hard drives SATA 160gb 8mb 7200 rpm 2 fans (heat control because of the two HDD's) 2 64 X 64 512md DIMM 400mhz DDR PC3200 MBD P4 800 915G DDR PCIE LGA 775 Vid/Lan/Snd Win DVD Software Oem Roxie Easy Media Creator v7.1.0.183 CPU P4 3.0 gnz 2md LGA 775 UPS 550vs USB PowerColor X 300SE PCI-E 128mb DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Writer 16X Studio AV/DV Version 9 with Firewire Port and then the list of software. The people that built this for me have been servicing my cpu's and laptops for over 13 years. When I was ready to purchase a laptop for the co-ed, I went there and asked them their opinion of MS Vista. Thumbs down due to a lot of little glitches and had a Durabook built with XP as the operating system. Have purchased a Twinhead (2003)from them because of a dead Dell and have been sooooo happy with it. Recently had more memory installed. Sorry if I sound/seem like a ditz. Truly I'm not but this is becoming very frustrating and our project needs to be completed by the second week in Aug. Yes, I suppose I can work on them and then ship them out--but wouldn't that be mail fraud??? I do own the originals. Thanks again, PC Idiot
Maybe your burner needs a firmware upgrade What model of Sony is it? Do you have Nero Installed? Is your Platinum Up to Date? Is your Sony a SATA Drive? Read these giudes Guides: http://webpages.charter.net/bacitup/Guides.htm You May Have to Get a New Burner. If you do decide to replace it, before you buy a new one Check to see if the old one is a SATA Try the Firmware up date First.
PCIdiot "When these movies are in the cd/dvd drive, they beep, make a few clicking sounds, and then the drive activity light goes from green to no light at all. " From what you stated above it sounds like the DVD Drive is going South. Since burners are fairly cheap I would replace it. While you have it at the shop have them check it and update your firmware for the burner as it should be under warranty
car.mike thanks for the cyber confirmation as that's what i'm afraid of...and the reason why i posed the thought... guess i learned a valuable lesson her. don't build a pc and then wait two years to use it for the very purpose you had it built. fact is, my free time got taken elsewhere. here's another question--i did burn these seven almost back to back. i noticed as the later dvd burns were coming out, that the dvd door was getting warmer and warmer. now i have the two fans to keep everything cooler internally but i'm guessing that's not good enough for the burner. with that, should i wait before burning another? yes/no or is this typical of burners? [berryone] you suggested getting Nero, why? if i already have dvdfab/platinum why would i want a ripping program that others have turned thumbs down to? the dvdfab did a great job for this plug-n-play or point-n-click chick. what's the concern about the driver being a SATA? is it fair to assume that if the hdd's are SATA that the cd/dvd burner is SATA too? is this a plus to have a SATA cd/dvd burner? drawbacks? and what are the pros and cons of dvd-rom???? to think at one time i understood the ibm ps2. then kids came along and technology just flew past me. thankfully my degree isn't in cmp. eng. ;-) thanks in advance for the help, PCIdiot
PCIdiot, Since the burner is 2 years old then you might need to replace it as the firmware s probably not going to be updated to properly burn the newer blank DVD's. The burner needs to be fairly up to date as the MID codes for blank media change w/ the speed. Before you change it lets try a can of compressed air and open the DVD opening and lightly blow the air into the space to clean out and dust that might have accumulated there. Also one of the burning lasers could have gotten of set or the DVD laser could also be dead. The quickest way for you to correct this is to let the shop look at it unless you think you can replace the burner. I would not personally burn 7 DVD's back to back but you can add more fans as they are about $6.00-15.00 a piece. I have done 4 DVD's back to back and the DVD door was not hot so I would say that is another reason to get a new one. It is OK to have SATA HD and IDE Optical devices on the same MOBO. When if you have to replace the burner then if your board has an extra SATA plug-in then get a SATA burner if you desire
[car.mike] if i can bother you for a little bit longer....??? as i only have one burner in this machine AND since i'm going to have it replaced, should i get a second burner to burn disc to disc instead of read-save-burn? or just do the read-save-edit/shrink-burn? another thing, the cpu only goes/went on line to download the ripping software and updates the nortons. i'm assuming that when i get the new burner(s), i'll need to update the firmware on a regular basis? so, is it brand specific or is it any firmware update? also, not to be soooo naive, how "safe" are these "free" downloads? i have been of the opinion that they're rift with bugs/worms and other nasties. is the dvdfab/platinum a decent product to use? appreciate the help and suggestions very much. PCIdiot
PCIdiot, One burner is fine but you might want to add a DVD-Rom to read the DVD's and save the burner from that labor. The firmware is always brand and model specific for that burner. Usually the manuf. has the firmware on it's website but if it is not there then a site like: "The Firmware Page" http://forum.rpc1.org/portal.php might also carry it. Most of the downoads if they come from a site such as this one are usually safe. DVDFAB/Plat is an OK program
[car,mike] thanks for the "clue" on the dvd-rom. my mind wasn't even thinking in that direction and it makes perfect sense. since dvdfab/plat is an "ok" program, is there something better or should i do a search on that? you know the old saying, opinions are like *ssholes, everyone's got one--so what's your pick on ripping programs???? no offense meant by the above, just my love of cliches.
PCIdiot There are really 2 rippers or driver assisted programs out on the market now 1. DVDFAB HD Decrypter (Free) http://www.dvdfab.com/free.htm If you have the Plat version the ripper is included. 2. AnyDVD (driver driven and it is not free) http://www.slysoft.com/en/anydvd.html You can use DVDShrink (free: http://www.mrbass.org/dvdshrink/) to get your feet wet with or you can continue to use DVDFab/ Plat. I personally use DVD-Rebuilder Pro
huge THANK YOU to car.mike! i think i might try to finish this project using the co-eds new laptop and also with DVD-rebuider pro. looks easy enough and i know that firmware is utd on the burner/driver. i'll stop by my geek shop tomorrow and talk to them about putting in a new burner and dvd-rom. now i have to go color all the gray hairs i just grew!! believe it when i say that this site is going to become my homepage. PCIdiot
[car.mike] is this possible? tonight i took a musical cd and put it into the driver that i've posted about. the music played right up. then i took a dvd that had still photos on it and the same thing. is this possible if the driver is headed to the dead zone? Feeling like a PCIdiot, still...
@PCIdiot The reason I asked if you had Nero Installed Is because ROXIO and NERO don't Play well together. Also Nero has a really good Burning program. But If you are happy with Roxio, I wouldn't Change. DVDFAB Plat is A GREAT program. Last update was July 20 07 Shrink is a good program. (FREE) Dvd Decrypter is a good program.(FREE) Ripit4me is a great program.(FREE) Imgburn is a GREAT program (FREE) Read those guides, then select how you want to Rip and Burn, then download those programs When It came time to Replace My Drive I Ordered an IDE, and Needed a SATA drive. The Store I bought it from would not give me a refund or Exchange It. But Since you are Going to take to a repair shop, you won't have that problem. SATA drives use smaller I don't believe there is a great selection of SATA drives, But Sony does offer Several good ones. I have the Sony AD-7170S-0B and it works really well. This might help in selecting a burner http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/485860
[Berryone]i suddenly feel as though i'm over my head again. honestly i only used the roxio to burn the copies of the music cd and have never used it to burn video dvds. i didn't know that i could burn a movie dvd with the roxio--and i'm guessing that i can't since it probably doesn't have a ripping/decoder? i went with the dvdfab/plat based on a friends recommendation. "oh it's so easy all you have to do is this, this and this..." since i have about 25 videos to do--yadda, yadda, yadda.....and the first seven were a breeze. the playbacks r such that you'd need to ask, real or memorex. yesterday i tried to play a music cd in the driver and it worked. i then went to a dvd that had vacation jpgs on it. it worked. so, i thought perhaps i should try a movie...WRONG. failed. does that really mean the driver is dead? probably not? does it mean i need to update my firmware? yes-- but that still doesn't answer the question as to why the first seven and then kapoot. all in all, i know just enough to make me dangerous to the hardware in my computing system. well almost! at least i know not to use the dvd slot as a coffee cup holder! lol PCIdiot
You Mean that's not what that slots for? Don't worry you are not in over your Head. I've been where you are. the programs that i suggest you use are. Dvd Decrypter, Shrink and Ripit4me. Install ripit4me last. Dvd Decrypter is Not The Same as DVDfab Plat. You will have to GOOGLE ripit4me(it is no longer updated Last version was 1.17.1) the Link for it isn't valid any more. Read these Guides: http://webpages.charter.net/bacitup/TheGuides/Installing RipIt4Me.pdf http://webpages.charter.net/bacitup/TheGuides/Backup w RipIt4Me, Shrink, Decrypter.pdf And as for your DVD Burner the Guys at the comp Shop will Know what Kind (SATA or IDE) to Install. I've read where the DVD part of a drive can go before the CD part. Call the shop first. Let them know you want a good burner (Sony Isn't a bad choice) with up to date firmware. I'm sure they will fix you up. For Goodness Sake DO NOT USE MEMOREX disc. Those Verbatum Are #1.
[Berryone] I didn't use memorex--just "borrowed" their ad line. No, it's verbatum, all the way baby! lol, learned that lesson back in the days when cds were "new" and you'd purchase a spool and half of them were trash. took the "beast" into the shop but before doing so i did some backing up of data and tried to shut the damn thing down. it kept popping back up to my desktop....@)(@)U@)$&!*&*!&$(*!#@%(# i will SCREAM if i downloaded a (@#%)@* virus. could be the root of the problem??? G*D has a way of punishing me for doing stupid things like dl-ing software from "questionable" sites. kicking self in the @ss ...should have found your site BEFORE i ventured into this project... more self flogging ...so mad at self, not talking to self anymore!....lol...ok, you got the picture.[mental jpg of donkey's ass] a bit more about my machine--roxio program, winDvd, and what's that other one, interaction??? could any/all of those have caused problems? incompatable? see, this is where i'm dangerous. i don't understand this sort of "drug" interaction(s)and something that some guides don't go into. PCIdiot
