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Lite-On 52246s: My Fastest read is 21x. Is this normal?

PostPosted: Tue Jan 28, 2003 6:34 pm
by Tubtanic
Bought a new Lite-On 52x24x52x (52246s) a few days ago.
firmware 60S7 manufactured end of December. I know, new
firmware out 2 days ago.

I've tried about 40 or 50 different cd's and can't get it to read
any faster than 21x. I've tried Microsoft 95,98,XP cd's. CdR's,
Audio cd's, etc. It will even slowdown to 5x to read an entire
cd.

I checked Nero Drive Speed. It seems to always lock in at 32x.
I'll change the settings but doesn't make a difference unless I
set it at 16x,12x,8x, then you hear it run at a slower speed. If
I set it higher than 16x, not much faster.

This my first Lite-On writer. Is this normal?

Tubtanic.

PostPosted: Tue Jan 28, 2003 11:47 pm
by Spazmogen
No, that is not normal.

Check your DMA settings for that IDE Channel.

Nero info tool can help:
Image


My normal read speed for a full 80 minute disc is in the 53x range.

With a 99 minute disc, it's slightly higher.
Image

That's a 99 minute disc pictured.

PostPosted: Wed Jan 29, 2003 12:34 pm
by Tubtanic
I tried everything. As master on Secondary. As slave on primary.
Changed ribbons, etc.
I installed it in 3 other systems. Made sure everything was set properly and went through my different cd's in each system. Same situation. As well, when doing the transfer test in cdspeed, it can't keep the starting speed. The graph drops off before reaching 5 on the x-axis. I haven't
had one test where the yellow line doesn't drop off almost from the
start.
All my experience has been with LG burners so I don't have other Lite-On
burners to compare. This is really frustrating.

Thanks Spazmogen for replying. The additional info from your link is very
good.

PostPosted: Thu Jan 30, 2003 11:41 am
by Tubtanic
Any other suggestions before I take it back?

Thanks again Spazmogen

Tubtanic

PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2003 12:33 pm
by Tubtanic
That's it! I've had enough. I tried just about everything I can think of.

Anything in the registry that can be changed to increase read speed?
Could it be, it's set for "Slow" or "Low" read in registry?

Taking it back. Store says I can replace with same model. It's a start.

PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2003 12:40 pm
by cfitz
Did you try not using Nero DriveSpeed at all? It is designed to limit reading speeds, so if it is misbehaving it might have something to do with your troubles. DriveSpeed should allow your drive to run at full speed, but since you are having troubles and DriveSpeed isn't useful for most people, try testing without it running. I doubt this will make any difference, but it is quick and easy to try.

Also, you never did report back about your DMA settings. Running the drive in PIO mode will cause it to slow down as well.

Still, if it is a bad as you suggest and behaves the same in all those different systems, it sounds like there is a good chance it is a bad drive.

cfitz

PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2003 3:32 pm
by Tubtanic
Yes. DMA is on.

I've tried Nero Drive Speed set to 52x and current. Used the
detect and reset it to 52x. As well, made sure Nero Drive Speed
was closed. Played with every setting.

I changed settings in CDSpeed, hoping, but nothing.

I guess, it's a case of bad luck. What else is new.

Thanks! Cfitz.


Tubtanic

PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2003 10:26 pm
by john
had same problem with lite-on 48x12x48. found i had set bios for all ide drives except master 0 to none. change bios settings to auto & it should work fine

PostPosted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 12:57 pm
by Tubtanic
Hello! I finally replaced the writer. New writer is great!
Reads well over 53x with sufficient data.

The way the drive spins up and then backs off, seems to
indicate lots of headroom for increase in drive speed. I see
no real reason not to have 56x 32x 56x or even
60x 32x 60x drives. Unless, they move on to dvd writers and
drop cd writers completely.

John. Thank you for your suggestion. Absolutely correct.
I made that mistake last year and will never forget it.


Thanks everyone!

Tubtanic

PostPosted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 1:40 pm
by TheMatt
I see no real reason not to have 56x 32x 56x or even 60x 32x 60x drives.


Well, the reason isn't the drive, it's the discs. I believe many of the disc makers won't support 56x and larger. IIRC, the reason is that the current factories can't make the discs flat enough for those speeds. To do so would require retooling and there aren't the profit margins in making CD-Rs to support that.

Do a good search around the net and see what happens when CDs get to 56 or 60x. The wonderous world of good ol' centrifugal force comes into play and the CDs explode due to the forces on them. The flatness also means that spinning at that speed, you really don't want ripples in the surface so the disc acts as a wing.

But, one question that I've pondered is what is the end speed for CD-RW? I know the 32s are coming soon, but is there a limit for the RW technology? Will we ever see 52x52x52?

The Matt