🚀 go-pugleaf

What are the power supplies rated at?
The system configuration is as listed?  No sound device
or any other peripheral devices other than listed.?
Any info about the system the drive was successfully used on?

My guess is either some device is pulling more amps than it's rating
indicates, or the power supply is not providing the correct voltage.

The CDRW does tend to pull more amps when writing to a CDRW disc than when
writing to a CD-R disc.

Since you are running Win95, and have EZ CD Creator, then perhaps trying
ASPI32.EXE from adaptec will give you an updated ASPI layer that may have an
impact on the drive's performance.

The FIC 503+ has a VIA chipset, usually the updated drivers have a positive
effect.  This board has been rumored to have a minimally rated voltage
regulator that may have some impact on your situation.

I am not familiar with the Amptron board to make a guess without the model
#.

This is a puzzler.

The email address is not active.
"Tom Masterson" <tommast@az.com> wrote in message
news:9ki1is$ktf$1@news.creativelabs.com...
> Boy do I have a strange one. I cannot format or write to my disk, but the
> disk reads just fine. I've tried different media, just about any different
> setting on both the motherboard and Windows 98 I could think of, new
> busmaster drivers. Checked ASPI layers, tried TREE different burning
> softwares, and spent HOURS on the net checking forum, knowledge bases, and
> tech sites for a similar problem - NOTHING like it is mentioned! Yes, the
> drive is ok - had it checked at a local computer service place.
>
> My machines (yep tried it on BOTH) are home built with AMD K6/2 -
>
> Machine #1 (the one I WANT to use the drive with)
> FIC 503+ motherboard with K6/2 - 350
> 96 megs of ram
> Fujitzu 3.1gig harddrive
> Intense 3dVoodoo PCI video
> no modem
>
> Machine #2
> Amptron motherboard with K6/2 - 500
> 256megs ram
> 13 gig WD harddrive
> TNT AGP video
> US DRIVES 24X CD rom
>
> BOTH machines are running Windows 98 v4.10.98
> I've even tried a fresh, reformatted cleaninstall on Machine #1 of
Windows.
> NEW busmaster drivers
> Current BIOS
> Tried different cables
> Different bus - main and secondary
> Tried CD-RW as slave and master to BOTH CDrom and Harddrive and separate
> from each.
>
> FYI - same happened with another brand drive (I returned that drive to try
> Creative 8432) other drive was a NEC - NR-7500a
>
> Easy CD reports an "Illegal Request" when attempting format.
> Prassi abCD reports "Formatting error"
>
> YIKES!!! Now what????????????????????
>
> Thanks
>
> Tom
>
>

Power supplies are 230watts and I'm running Windows 98, not 95

Yes, there are sound cards involved on each machine. The main machine - the
one I want to use the drive on has a Guillemot Maxisound MUSE sound card,
and there is a second harddrive - a 1.3gig Maxtor. Nothing else installed at
this point, except a standard 3.5 floppy.

The second machine has a Storm Platinum sound card and a Diamond modem and a
Voodoo2 card and a US drives 24x CDrom.

I've received a reply from Creative tech support that suggested I enter safe
mode and be sure CDrom drivers are not active. I've removed all other
references of any kind from my Confi.sys and Autoexec.bat files EXCEPT the
one line put there by the creative install disk.

I have no information on the machine the drive worked on. I'm close to
dropping my machine off at a repair center but want to exhaust all
conventional avenues before paying someone $70 per hour.

I didn't think about voltage... hummmm, I have a meter and can measure the
voltage through a free connector but I'm not sure the meter would react
quick enough to see a drop - worth a try. I can also remove the second
harddrive and the soundcard for a test. That would only leave the harddrive,
floppy and CD-RW.

The AMPTRON motherbord is made by PCCHIPS of Taiwan. It doesn't have a great
reputation but I've never experienced problems before - but then, I've never
tried to install a CD-RW before.... I can't remember the model # but I think
it was called a "TopGun" It has onbord sound which has been disabled in
BIOS. It also has the same VIA chipset as the FIC 503+

Thanks for the input. I had a feeling this was going to be a real
head-scratcher (make that head-banger!). I'd feel better if I could find a
reference to a similar problem ANYWHERE(!!!)

Just MY luck.

Tom

"anonymous" <nomail@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:9kirp9$4ib$1@news.creativelabs.com...
> What are the power supplies rated at?
> The system configuration is as listed?  No sound device
> or any other peripheral devices other than listed.?
> Any info about the system the drive was successfully used on?
>
> My guess is either some device is pulling more amps than it's rating
> indicates, or the power supply is not providing the correct voltage.
>
> The CDRW does tend to pull more amps when writing to a CDRW disc than when
> writing to a CD-R disc.
>
> Since you are running Win95, and have EZ CD Creator, then perhaps trying
> ASPI32.EXE from adaptec will give you an updated ASPI layer that may have
an
> impact on the drive's performance.
>
> The FIC 503+ has a VIA chipset, usually the updated drivers have a
positive
> effect.  This board has been rumored to have a minimally rated voltage
> regulator that may have some impact on your situation.
>
> I am not familiar with the Amptron board to make a guess without the model
> #.
>
> This is a puzzler.
>
> The email address is not active.
> "Tom Masterson" <tommast@az.com> wrote in message
> news:9ki1is$ktf$1@news.creativelabs.com...
> > Boy do I have a strange one. I cannot format or write to my disk, but
the
> > disk reads just fine. I've tried different media, just about any
different
> > setting on both the motherboard and Windows 98 I could think of, new
> > busmaster drivers. Checked ASPI layers, tried TREE different burning
> > softwares, and spent HOURS on the net checking forum, knowledge bases,
and
> > tech sites for a similar problem - NOTHING like it is mentioned! Yes,
the
> > drive is ok - had it checked at a local computer service place.
> >
> > My machines (yep tried it on BOTH) are home built with AMD K6/2 -
> >
> > Machine #1 (the one I WANT to use the drive with)
> > FIC 503+ motherboard with K6/2 - 350
> > 96 megs of ram
> > Fujitzu 3.1gig harddrive
> > Intense 3dVoodoo PCI video
> > no modem
> >
> > Machine #2
> > Amptron motherboard with K6/2 - 500
> > 256megs ram
> > 13 gig WD harddrive
> > TNT AGP video
> > US DRIVES 24X CD rom
> >
> > BOTH machines are running Windows 98 v4.10.98
> > I've even tried a fresh, reformatted cleaninstall on Machine #1 of
> Windows.
> > NEW busmaster drivers
> > Current BIOS
> > Tried different cables
> > Different bus - main and secondary
> > Tried CD-RW as slave and master to BOTH CDrom and Harddrive and separate
> > from each.
> >
> > FYI - same happened with another brand drive (I returned that drive to
try
> > Creative 8432) other drive was a NEC - NR-7500a
> >
> > Easy CD reports an "Illegal Request" when attempting format.
> > Prassi abCD reports "Formatting error"
> >
> > YIKES!!! Now what????????????????????
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Tom
> >
> >
>
>

If you are using EZ CD Creator, the ASPI32.EXE file will install on your
system.  The disclaimer on Adaptec's site says it is not applicable if you
are using Windows ME or later.

I think that if you go to a minimal system configuration: i.e. physically
remove all peripheral devices except for what you need to boot with, then
add only the CDRW back to test, I think you may have a successful burn.  If
so, then it would indicate the power supply rated value may be lower than
listed, or some other component as a higher amperage draw.

Both www.viahardware.com and www.pcnineoneone.com have some useful info and
tricks on troubleshooting some obscure problems.

You mention one line in the either the config.sys or autoexec.bat files,
could you list the line please?

With you using Win98, there is a utility called MSCONFIG.
One can use the convenient Selective Startup, and uncheck all boxes
underneath that entry, after rebooting the only thing in the End Task window
would be Explorer.
The other thing to try would be to use what I refer to as the Microsoft
definition of a clean boot.
Details are listed here:
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q192/9/26.ASP

When Windows is working properly, the two methods should be equivilent.

The email address is not active.


"Tom Masterson" <tommast@az.com> wrote in message
news:9kj4bm$8or$1@news.creativelabs.com...
> Power supplies are 230watts and I'm running Windows 98, not 95
>
> Yes, there are sound cards involved on each machine. The main machine -
the
> one I want to use the drive on has a Guillemot Maxisound MUSE sound card,
> and there is a second harddrive - a 1.3gig Maxtor. Nothing else installed
at
> this point, except a standard 3.5 floppy.
>
> The second machine has a Storm Platinum sound card and a Diamond modem and
a
> Voodoo2 card and a US drives 24x CDrom.
>
> I've received a reply from Creative tech support that suggested I enter
safe
> mode and be sure CDrom drivers are not active. I've removed all other
> references of any kind from my Confi.sys and Autoexec.bat files EXCEPT the
> one line put there by the creative install disk.
>
> I have no information on the machine the drive worked on. I'm close to
> dropping my machine off at a repair center but want to exhaust all
> conventional avenues before paying someone $70 per hour.
>
> I didn't think about voltage... hummmm, I have a meter and can measure the
> voltage through a free connector but I'm not sure the meter would react
> quick enough to see a drop - worth a try. I can also remove the second
> harddrive and the soundcard for a test. That would only leave the
harddrive,
> floppy and CD-RW.
>
> The AMPTRON motherbord is made by PCCHIPS of Taiwan. It doesn't have a
great
> reputation but I've never experienced problems before - but then, I've
never
> tried to install a CD-RW before.... I can't remember the model # but I
think
> it was called a "TopGun" It has onbord sound which has been disabled in
> BIOS. It also has the same VIA chipset as the FIC 503+
>
> Thanks for the input. I had a feeling this was going to be a real
> head-scratcher (make that head-banger!). I'd feel better if I could find a
> reference to a similar problem ANYWHERE(!!!)
>
> Just MY luck.
>
> Tom
>
> "anonymous" <nomail@nowhere.com> wrote in message
> news:9kirp9$4ib$1@news.creativelabs.com...
> > What are the power supplies rated at?
> > The system configuration is as listed?  No sound device
> > or any other peripheral devices other than listed.?
> > Any info about the system the drive was successfully used on?
> >
> > My guess is either some device is pulling more amps than it's rating
> > indicates, or the power supply is not providing the correct voltage.
> >
> > The CDRW does tend to pull more amps when writing to a CDRW disc than
when
> > writing to a CD-R disc.
> >
> > Since you are running Win95, and have EZ CD Creator, then perhaps trying
> > ASPI32.EXE from adaptec will give you an updated ASPI layer that may
have
> an
> > impact on the drive's performance.
> >
> > The FIC 503+ has a VIA chipset, usually the updated drivers have a
> positive
> > effect.  This board has been rumored to have a minimally rated voltage
> > regulator that may have some impact on your situation.
> >
> > I am not familiar with the Amptron board to make a guess without the
model
> > #.
> >
> > This is a puzzler.
> >
> > The email address is not active.
> > "Tom Masterson" <tommast@az.com> wrote in message
> > news:9ki1is$ktf$1@news.creativelabs.com...
> > > Boy do I have a strange one. I cannot format or write to my disk, but
> the
> > > disk reads just fine. I've tried different media, just about any
> different
> > > setting on both the motherboard and Windows 98 I could think of, new
> > > busmaster drivers. Checked ASPI layers, tried TREE different burning
> > > softwares, and spent HOURS on the net checking forum, knowledge bases,
> and
> > > tech sites for a similar problem - NOTHING like it is mentioned! Yes,
> the
> > > drive is ok - had it checked at a local computer service place.
> > >
> > > My machines (yep tried it on BOTH) are home built with AMD K6/2 -
> > >
> > > Machine #1 (the one I WANT to use the drive with)
> > > FIC 503+ motherboard with K6/2 - 350
> > > 96 megs of ram
> > > Fujitzu 3.1gig harddrive
> > > Intense 3dVoodoo PCI video
> > > no modem
> > >
> > > Machine #2
> > > Amptron motherboard with K6/2 - 500
> > > 256megs ram
> > > 13 gig WD harddrive
> > > TNT AGP video
> > > US DRIVES 24X CD rom
> > >
> > > BOTH machines are running Windows 98 v4.10.98
> > > I've even tried a fresh, reformatted cleaninstall on Machine #1 of
> > Windows.
> > > NEW busmaster drivers
> > > Current BIOS
> > > Tried different cables
> > > Different bus - main and secondary
> > > Tried CD-RW as slave and master to BOTH CDrom and Harddrive and
separate
> > > from each.
> > >
> > > FYI - same happened with another brand drive (I returned that drive to
> try
> > > Creative 8432) other drive was a NEC - NR-7500a
> > >
> > > Easy CD reports an "Illegal Request" when attempting format.
> > > Prassi abCD reports "Formatting error"
> > >
> > > YIKES!!! Now what????????????????????
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > Tom
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Thanks, that was going to be my next move. Infact my plan was to pull
everything except the video card, harddrive and CD-RW, try and do another
clean install of Windows again if the first fails.

I'm aware of the MSCONFIG and was going to use it for a selective boot
yesterday. But with ALL the boxes unchecked, still no luck.

Next step for me is to borrow a co-worker's CD of Windows SE. If, for some
wierd reason, my copy of Windows doesn't work, but the later version does,
I'll upgrade. I'm kinda grasping at straws at this point but am willing to
try anything at this point before taking it to the shop.

SET CTCM=C:/WINDOWS is the one line in my Autoexec. bat. However... I have
renamed this file and the Confi.sys file to take them out of the mix.

Thanks again for trying to nail this one down - it's a doozie.

Tom


"anonymous" <nomail@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:9kk8fc$osi$1@news.creativelabs.com...
> If you are using EZ CD Creator, the ASPI32.EXE file will install on your
> system.  The disclaimer on Adaptec's site says it is not applicable if you
> are using Windows ME or later.
>
> I think that if you go to a minimal system configuration: i.e. physically
> remove all peripheral devices except for what you need to boot with, then
> add only the CDRW back to test, I think you may have a successful burn.
If
> so, then it would indicate the power supply rated value may be lower than
> listed, or some other component as a higher amperage draw.
>
> Both www.viahardware.com and www.pcnineoneone.com have some useful info
and
> tricks on troubleshooting some obscure problems.
>
> You mention one line in the either the config.sys or autoexec.bat files,
> could you list the line please?
>
> With you using Win98, there is a utility called MSCONFIG.
> One can use the convenient Selective Startup, and uncheck all boxes
> underneath that entry, after rebooting the only thing in the End Task
window
> would be Explorer.
> The other thing to try would be to use what I refer to as the Microsoft
> definition of a clean boot.
> Details are listed here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q192/9/26.ASP
>
> When Windows is working properly, the two methods should be equivilent.
>
> The email address is not active.
>
>
> "Tom Masterson" <tommast@az.com> wrote in message
> news:9kj4bm$8or$1@news.creativelabs.com...
> > Power supplies are 230watts and I'm running Windows 98, not 95
> >
> > Yes, there are sound cards involved on each machine. The main machine -
> the
> > one I want to use the drive on has a Guillemot Maxisound MUSE sound
card,
> > and there is a second harddrive - a 1.3gig Maxtor. Nothing else
installed
> at
> > this point, except a standard 3.5 floppy.
> >
> > The second machine has a Storm Platinum sound card and a Diamond modem
and
> a
> > Voodoo2 card and a US drives 24x CDrom.
> >
> > I've received a reply from Creative tech support that suggested I enter
> safe
> > mode and be sure CDrom drivers are not active. I've removed all other
> > references of any kind from my Confi.sys and Autoexec.bat files EXCEPT
the
> > one line put there by the creative install disk.
> >
> > I have no information on the machine the drive worked on. I'm close to
> > dropping my machine off at a repair center but want to exhaust all
> > conventional avenues before paying someone $70 per hour.
> >
> > I didn't think about voltage... hummmm, I have a meter and can measure
the
> > voltage through a free connector but I'm not sure the meter would react
> > quick enough to see a drop - worth a try. I can also remove the second
> > harddrive and the soundcard for a test. That would only leave the
> harddrive,
> > floppy and CD-RW.
> >
> > The AMPTRON motherbord is made by PCCHIPS of Taiwan. It doesn't have a
> great
> > reputation but I've never experienced problems before - but then, I've
> never
> > tried to install a CD-RW before.... I can't remember the model # but I
> think
> > it was called a "TopGun" It has onbord sound which has been disabled in
> > BIOS. It also has the same VIA chipset as the FIC 503+
> >
> > Thanks for the input. I had a feeling this was going to be a real
> > head-scratcher (make that head-banger!). I'd feel better if I could find
a
> > reference to a similar problem ANYWHERE(!!!)
> >
> > Just MY luck.
> >
> > Tom
> >
> > "anonymous" <nomail@nowhere.com> wrote in message
> > news:9kirp9$4ib$1@news.creativelabs.com...
> > > What are the power supplies rated at?
> > > The system configuration is as listed?  No sound device
> > > or any other peripheral devices other than listed.?
> > > Any info about the system the drive was successfully used on?
> > >
> > > My guess is either some device is pulling more amps than it's rating
> > > indicates, or the power supply is not providing the correct voltage.
> > >
> > > The CDRW does tend to pull more amps when writing to a CDRW disc than
> when
> > > writing to a CD-R disc.
> > >
> > > Since you are running Win95, and have EZ CD Creator, then perhaps
trying
> > > ASPI32.EXE from adaptec will give you an updated ASPI layer that may
> have
> > an
> > > impact on the drive's performance.
> > >
> > > The FIC 503+ has a VIA chipset, usually the updated drivers have a
> > positive
> > > effect.  This board has been rumored to have a minimally rated voltage
> > > regulator that may have some impact on your situation.
> > >
> > > I am not familiar with the Amptron board to make a guess without the
> model
> > > #.
> > >
> > > This is a puzzler.
> > >
> > > The email address is not active.
> > > "Tom Masterson" <tommast@az.com> wrote in message
> > > news:9ki1is$ktf$1@news.creativelabs.com...
> > > > Boy do I have a strange one. I cannot format or write to my disk,
but
> > the
> > > > disk reads just fine. I've tried different media, just about any
> > different
> > > > setting on both the motherboard and Windows 98 I could think of, new
> > > > busmaster drivers. Checked ASPI layers, tried TREE different burning
> > > > softwares, and spent HOURS on the net checking forum, knowledge
bases,
> > and
> > > > tech sites for a similar problem - NOTHING like it is mentioned!
Yes,
> > the
> > > > drive is ok - had it checked at a local computer service place.
> > > >
> > > > My machines (yep tried it on BOTH) are home built with AMD K6/2 -
> > > >
> > > > Machine #1 (the one I WANT to use the drive with)
> > > > FIC 503+ motherboard with K6/2 - 350
> > > > 96 megs of ram
> > > > Fujitzu 3.1gig harddrive
> > > > Intense 3dVoodoo PCI video
> > > > no modem
> > > >
> > > > Machine #2
> > > > Amptron motherboard with K6/2 - 500
> > > > 256megs ram
> > > > 13 gig WD harddrive
> > > > TNT AGP video
> > > > US DRIVES 24X CD rom
> > > >
> > > > BOTH machines are running Windows 98 v4.10.98
> > > > I've even tried a fresh, reformatted cleaninstall on Machine #1 of
> > > Windows.
> > > > NEW busmaster drivers
> > > > Current BIOS
> > > > Tried different cables
> > > > Different bus - main and secondary
> > > > Tried CD-RW as slave and master to BOTH CDrom and Harddrive and
> separate
> > > > from each.
> > > >
> > > > FYI - same happened with another brand drive (I returned that drive
to
> > try
> > > > Creative 8432) other drive was a NEC - NR-7500a
> > > >
> > > > Easy CD reports an "Illegal Request" when attempting format.
> > > > Prassi abCD reports "Formatting error"
> > > >
> > > > YIKES!!! Now what????????????????????
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > > >
> > > > Tom
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>