Forum Tips 6-5, Windows XP mostly
6-5-1: DMA Mode for ATA/ATAPI Devices in Windows XP
DMA Mode for ATA/ATAPI Devices in Windows XP
The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system enables DMA by default on most of the ATA or ATAPI (IDE) devices. To ensure system stability, however, PIO mode will be selected for DMA-capable devices under some circumstances. This article explains the reasons for an ATA or ATAPI device to be in PIO mode on systems running Windows XP.
PIO mode is enabled by default in the following situations:
To enable DMA mode using the Device Manager
Note from The Predator: Although the above article from Microsoft states that Windows XP enables PIO by default on ATAPI CD-ROM drives. I have received feedback from members on Dell Talk that after performing a "clean" install of the OS, their CD-ROM device defaulted to DMA. Special thanks to those members for their imput.
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
6-5-2: Ultra ATA Storage Driver Support Site
Below is a short note from Intels site and the link to their site where you may check Known Issues, General Information and download the latest version of the Ultra ATA Storage Driver
Product Overview
The Intel Ultra ATA Storage Driver automatically enables fast Ultra ATA transfers for a
variety of ATA/ATAPI mass storage devices such as hard disk drives and CD-ROMs. This
driver has been architectured to take advantage of the latest Intel Ultra ATA controller
features to improve both storage subsystem performance and overall system performance.
Driver installation is flexible and fully automated for Microsoft Windows* 98, Windows 98
Second Edition(SE)*, Windows Millennium Edition (Me)*, Windows NT* 4.0, and Windows 2000
operating systems. Also included is the Intel Ultra ATA Companion, a useful diagnostic
tool that can be used to view technical details of the ATA subsystem.
http://support.intel.com/support/chipsets/storagedrivers/ultraATA/
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
6-5-3: Slow start-up with Nero, disable IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service (Author: Thien Lee)
When you load up Nero, it
may be slow "Scaning SCSI/IDE-Bus Pleast Wait..." Because XP also uses the CD-RW
Drive. If you do not use the built-in CD Recording feature, disable it, so Nero can load
up faster.
1. Open Control Panel
2. Administrative Tools
3. Services
4. Look for "IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service" under name (I suggest clicking on the
"Name" bar to organize it in chronological order first)
5. Right click, go to Properties
6. In the "Startup Type:", select Disabled
7. Apply and close, no need for reboot, close Nero if needed, and reopen. You should see a
difference in the time Nero loads from start to finish compare to how long before this
tweak.
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
6-5-4: "IDISPATCH" or "The Parameter is incorrect" Error Message
"IDISPATCH" or "The parameter is incorrect" Error Message When Making a Music CD With Roxio EasyCD Creator
ISSUE: When recording a music CD using MP3 files, you may receive the an "Idispatch" error message followed by a number sign and a number: Idispatch #4503, and an additional error message that states, "The parameter is incorrect." This issue may occur when performing a Test Only, Test and Record CD, or Record CD. The MP3 files may be downloaded files or files created on your own computer using a different program. After the error message is received, the CD being recorded to is ejected from the drive and the test or record process ends.
RESOLUTION: The MP3 file or files being used to make the music CD are corrupted, have a bit rate that is too low for CD creation, or the file is of poor quality. If the file was downloaded, re-download the file. Make sure that the bit rate of the MP3 file is at least 64 kilobits per second (Kbps). If the file was created on the computer with another program, re-create the file as it may be corrupted or the bit rate set too low. Bit rate refers to a measure of the quality of the audio file. CD Quality is 64 Kbps.
Another Suggestion: Try converting the MP3 `s to wav first, do not use the "convert on the fly" method. This will take a few extra minutes and larger hard-drive space, (1) minute of wav = +/- (10) MB
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Sound production and sound quality problems are seldom caused by any mechanical defect in the sound card itself. Problems can almost always be traced to the speakers or the sound card's driver software. This section details methods for identifying the source of the sound problems and solving them.
1g. No Sound at All -- Check the Speakers
2g. The Quickest Fix -- Refresh the Multimedia Drivers
3g. Upgrade DirectX to Improve Sound Performance
5g. Reinstall or Update the Sound Card Drivers
1g. No Sound At All -- Check the Speakers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you are not getting any sound at all, first be sure that your speakers are not the source of the problem. Are they plugged in, showing a green LED, and connected securely to the sound port and to each other? If they have manual sound controls, are those turned up?
The quickest way to check for speaker problems is to plug stereo earphones into the green speaker jack on the back of the computer. Listen for normal Windows sounds and CD music using the earphones. If you can hear sounds through the earphones, a problem with your speakers is confirmed. Please contact Dell technical support for further assistance with troubleshooting your speakers.
If you do not have headphones, here is a second method for checking the speakers:
First, unplug the green speaker jack from the computer, polish it with a soft cloth, and reseat it very firmly. You might want to repeat this several times to burnish any hidden corrosion from the contact and socket. Be sure that all of the connections at the speaker end are also tight by removing them completely and then, very firmly, reseating them. The speakers should show a green power LED, and their physical volume controls should be turned up past the halfway point.
Play a music CD by this method:
Click Start| Programs| Accessories| Multimedia| CDPlayer and click the start arrow on the display.
Can you hear music through the reseated speakers? If not, power the speakers off and try this next:
Remove the speakers' AC adapter from any surge suppressor or power center and plug it directly into a wall socket that you know is 'hot'. (You can test the outlet with a lamp or hairdryer). Remove the green-coded line-in connector from the soundcard's green-coded port and plug it firmly into the headphone jack on the front panel of the CDROM or DVD player.
If you have digital speakers with a SPDIF connector to a DVD drive, disconnect the black-ended SPDIF cable at both ends for the duration of testing; if the speaker has a MUTE button, you may solve the sound problem by toggling the button.
Adjust the physical volume controls on both the front panel of the CDROM and the speakers to a level more than halfway up their range.
Now, power the speakers on and check for a steady light on the LED indicator, usually on the right-hand or master speaker.
Insert a music CD in the CD drive. Click Start| Programs| Accessories| Multimedia| CDPlayer and click the start arrow on the player display. Can you hear music through the speakers?
The CDROM headphone jack does not use sound card circuitry to produce music. If the speakers produce sound in the CDROM headphone jack, they are not the source of the problem and neither is the CDROM drive.
2g. The Quickest Fix -- Refresh the Multimedia Drivers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your new games or other graphics-intensive programs may have installed their own set of audio drivers with the result that the game will run perfectly, but everything else is scrambled. It is fairly easy to correct this kind of problem, a good thing since dedicated gamers have to become expert at applying this correction: Here is the method:
Click Start| Settings| Control Panel| System and click the Device Manager tab to the front.
Click the [+] beside the Sound, Video and Game Controllers category and, one at a time, highlight each element and click the [Remove] button at the bottom of the window. The idea is to make the whole category disappear.
If you have an Other Devices Category, open that one as well and remove all multimedia devices you find there.
Do not restart the system when prompted. Close System Properties and return to the Control Panel. Now, remove the Multimedia options from Windows Setup. Here is the method for doing that:
Open the Add/Remove Programs icon.
Click the Windows Setup tab to the front and remove the check from the Multimedia option. Click [Apply].
NOW you can restart the system.
Whatever sound card drivers are currently installed will be reloaded when Windows comes back up.
****If you are prompted to keep a newer version of a file, click NO TO ALL. The file is probably newer because it has been newly corrupted; you want the older version back. ****
When the system returns to a normal desktop, go back to the Windows Setup and put a check back in the Multimedia option. Click the [Details] box.
Be sure that the Media Player and CD Audio options are checked.
Click [Apply] and restart the system once more.
This method corrects most kinds of sound driver corruption, but it does not correct the most severe corruption nor does it solve problems caused by Microsoft DirectX.
3g. Upgrade DirectX to Improve Sound Performance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many sound quality problems that seem to be caused by mechanical difficulties are actually the result of corrupted, over-written, or out-of-date Direct X drivers. Do not neglect this step. DirectX is a package of utility files created by Microsoft to give games better access to your video, sound, and input devices. Many other applications also require this Microsoft utility to function properly.
Here is the link to the Microsoft Download Page:
http://www.microsoft.com/directx/homeuser/downloads/default.asp
Choose the type of download appropriate to your system and follow the prompts to download it to a folder on your hard drive. If you click on the downloaded file it will begin an automatic installation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MP3 files make very large demands on system resources. If there are not enough resources available MP3 files may skip, stutter, and halt. You may need to reduce the number of programs running in the background to play them smoothly. Here is a way to reduce your system's default use of resources:
Click Start| Run and submit MSCONFIG in the Open box.
Click [OK].
Click the Startup tab to the front.
Remove the checkmarks from everything except Explorer and System Tray.
Click [Apply] and restart your computer whether or not you are prompted to do so.
Try the MP3 file again. If it is now working smoothly, return to MSCONFIG and put one checkmark back in.
Try the MP3 again to check whether it is still playing correctly.
One by one, return the checkmarks until you can isolate the process causing your MP3 files to skip.
Leave that process unchecked.
Removing checkmarks only keeps programs from launching automatically every time you start your computer; you will still be able to start them manually. The more processes you can leave permanantly unchecked the faster and better your system will run. PLEASE NOTE: If you leave your anti-virus unchecked you will probably have to remember to run your virus scans manually.
5g. Reinstall or Update the Sound Card Drivers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You should complete the procedures above before you resort to installing new drivers. In particular, a good copy of DirectX is required for the installation of many sound card drivers.
If you have an installation CD for the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz -- simply click the SETUP icon on the installation CD. Do NOT use the Add New Hardware wizard; you will be unable to install the drivers using that method. Installation from CD is completely automated.
For all SoundBlaster Live! cards:
Click Start| Programs| Creative |Soundblaster Live! or Live! Value| Restore Defaults.
The program will reinstall the correct drivers for you.
To reinstall drivers using the Dell Resource CD versions 2.0 and higher, install the Resouce CD and launch the Resource CD program. You will have one of these versions if your system was purchased after May 19, 2000.
Choose your system type and operating system.
BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL to enter the correct operating system! Windows 2000 sound drivers can wreck a Windows 98 system so completely that a total reinstall is the only solution. As you scroll your mouse over available choices, they will be highlighted; that selects them. The first time you click the mouse over a highlighted choice it will begin to install, so do not click until you are very sure of your choice.
Choose Audio as Device Type and Drivers as Topic.
Scroll to highlight your own audio card, click once, and follow the prompts to reinstall the driver.
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
6-5-6: CD Recorder not recognized by Windows Media Player
Products: Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional only
If your CD recorder (burner) drive is not recognized as a recording drive in My Computer, Windows Media Player cannot be used to create audio CDs. To verify that your CD recorder drive is recognized, open My Computer, and in the Devices with Removable Storage area, right-click the drive, and then click Properties. If your CD recorder is recognized, you will see a Recording tab.
If you are having problems copying to CDs and your CD recorder is recognized in My Computer, verify that the Enable CD recording on this drive check box is selected in the Properties dialog box for that drive.
If the CD-ROM drive on your computer is set to use digital mode and Windows Media Player is set to use analog mode while copying tracks, the tracks might copy without sound. The CD-ROM drive and Windows Media Player should both be set to use analog mode. If you want to use analog mode in Windows Media Player, change the CD-ROM drive to use analog mode also. When analog mode is used for copying CDs in Windows Media Player, some sound cards and microphones also record background noises.
See the following procedures for information on adjusting these settings.
To set your playback or copying settings to digital mode in Windows Media Player:
Note
When the Digital option is not selected, Windows Media Player is in analog mode.
To set the CD-ROM drive to use analog mode:
Note
When the Enable digital CD audio for this CD-ROM device check box is selected, the CD-ROM drive is in digital mode.
If Windows Media Player is set use to digital mode, tracks should copy correctly whether the CD-ROM drive is set to digital or analog.
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
6-5-7: Getting Older Programs to Run on Windows XP
Most programs run properly on Windows XP. The exceptions are some older games and other
programs that were written specifically for an earlier version of Windows. To run your
program on Windows XP, you can try the following, Run the Program Compatibility Wizard. As
an alternative, you can set the compatibility properties manually. Update your program,
drivers, or hardware. These options are covered in detail below.
The Program Compatibility Wizard
This wizard prompts you to test your program in different modes
(environments) and with various settings. For example, if the program was originally
designed to run on Windows 95, set the compatibility mode to Windows 95 and try running
your program again. If successful, the program will start in that mode each time. The
wizard also allows you to try different settings, such as switching the display to 256
colors and the screen resolution to 640 x 480 pixels. If compatibility problems prevent
you from installing a program on Windows XP, run the Program Compatibility Wizard on the
setup file for the program. The file may be called Setup.exe or something similar, and is
probably located on the Installation disc for the program. To run the Program
Compatibility Wizard click Start, click Help and Support, click Find compatible hardware
and software for Windows XP, and then, under See Also in the navigation pane, click
Program Compatibility Wizard.
Set the compatibility properties manually
As an alternative to running the Program Compatibility Wizard, you can set
the compatibility properties for a program manually. The settings are the same as the
options in the Program Compatibility Wizard. To set the compatibility properties for a
program manually Right-click the program icon on your desktop or the shortcut on the Start
menu for the program you want to run, and then click Properties. Click the Compatibility
tab, and change the compatibility settings for your program.
The Compatibility tab is only available for programs installed on your hard drive.
Although you can run the Program Compatibility Wizard on programs or setup files on a
CD-ROM or floppy disk, your changes will not remain in effect after you close the program.
For more information about an option on the Compatibility tab, right-click the option and
then click What's This.
Update your program or drivers
If your program does not run correctly after testing it with the Program Compatibility
Wizard, check the Web for updates or other fixes, as follows:
Check the Web site of the program's manufacturer to see if an update or patch is
available.
Check Windows Update to see if a fix is available for the program.
Click Home on the menu bar of Help and Support Center, then click Windows Update in the
right pane.
If the program is a game that uses DirectX, ensure that you are using the latest version
of DirectX. In addition, check the Web site of the manufacturer of your video card or
sound card to see if newer drivers are available for either of them.
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
6-5-8: Get rid of unwanted Ballon Tips
Open up the Registry Editor and expand the tree to display the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Advanced
Then, created a new DWORD value named EnableBalloonTips and set it to 0x00000000.
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
6-5-9: Device in use: User Name error (Credit: Big Brother)
The reason for this is that the DirectCD software loads when the first user logs in to
the system. When the second user logs in, DirectCD tries to load again with the new user's
startup applications. Since the first user's instance of DirectCD already has a hold on
the CDRW drive, DirectCD gives an error that it cannot access the CDRW drive. If you do
not use DirectCD, then use MSConfig to keep it from starting up when Windows starts.
Steve
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
6-5-10: Direct CD error when switching Users in Win XP (Jerry ~ anthony12)
You can fix the error message without granting local users Admin rights to the computer
(the normal Microsoft fix).
Login with Admin rights.
Run Regedt32. Find HKey_Local_Machine. Expand "Software" Then left click
"Adaptec"
With the Adaptec branch selected, select "Security, then Permisions" from the
main menu at the top of the screen.
Left click the "Users" local group.
Place a check in the "Allow" "Full Control" check box.
Click OK and exit Regedit
Logout.
Login as the user with the problem.
The error message should go away.
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
6-5-11: AutoPlay Repair Wizard & Tweak IT
The Microsoft AutoPlay Repair Wizard scans your computer devices to find defective AutoPlay settings, and attempts to fix those it finds.
Autorun has stopped working:
Run TWEAKUI.EXE and check the settings in My Computer > AutoPlay > Types. TweakUI is available at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp
In the Professional Edition also run GPEDIT.MSC to check if AutoPlay has been disabled here.
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
Dell Parts link:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/dellitems.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
6-5-13: I am getting a 1607 Error Message
1607 Error Message
See the following articles:
http://support.installshield.com/kb/view.asp?pcode=ALL&articleid=Q107070
http://support.installshield.com/kb/view.asp?pcode=ALL&articleid=Q107094
http://consumer.installshield.com/kb.asp?id=Q108340
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
6-5-14: How do I use the emergency
eject function on CD-ROM, CD-RW, and DVD-ROM drives?
How do I use the emergency eject function on CD-ROM, CD-RW, and DVD-ROM drives?
Problem
When attempting to eject a CD or DVD from the drive, the tray does not open.
Solution
Dell™ CD-ROM drives have a function that allows the CD to be ejected manually if this
becomes necessary in an emergency, such as failure of the drive or a power outage. To use
the emergency eject function on the drive, perform the following steps:
CAUTION: Before you perform any of the following steps, read the Precautionary Measures
warning for your personal safety and to prevent damage to the computer from electrostatic
discharge.
Turn the power to the computer off and unplug the computer power cord from the wall.
Push a fine-tipped object (such as a straightened heavy duty paper clip) into the small
hole above the eject button
(Figure 1).
The front door will pop open and the disk tray will be partially ejected.
Pull the front door to open it all the way, then grip the disk tray between thumb and
forefinger and gently pull it straight out.
Figure 1
Precautionary Measures
Before you perform any of the procedures in this document, read the following caution for
your personal safety and to prevent damage to the computer from electrostatic discharge
(ESD).
CAUTION FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF THE EQUIPMENT:
Before you start to work on the computer, perform the following steps in the sequence
listed:
Turn off your computer and all devices.
Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface at the back of the computer before
touching anything inside your computer.
While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface on the computer to dissipate
any static electricity that might harm internal components.
Disconnect the power cable to your computer, and then press the power button to ground the
system board.
Disconnect any devices connected to the computer, including the monitor, from their
electrical outlets to reduce the potential for personal injury or shock. Also, disconnect
any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
After you remove or replace parts in the computer, observe the following notice to prevent
damage to the computer:
NOTICE: Make sure that all other computer cables are connected before connecting the
computer to its electrical outlet.
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
6-5-15: Can my Dell® installed DVD-ROM drive play DIVX discs? (FA1012161)
Can my Dell® installed DVD-ROM drive play DIVX discs?
Currently, there are no Dell installed DVD-ROM drives available that can play DIVX movies. DIVX discs require special DIVX players to perform the Pay-Per-View billing requirements and playback of the DIVX discs.
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
6-5-16: Software repartitioned Dell
Hard-drive (2)
(1)
To re-cap: ECDC 6 causes previously hidden partitions to re-appear in XP (and probably
Win2K and who knows what else). This has been a common problem on Dell computers, as they
often are shipped with a hidden diagnostic partition on the primary drive. When ECDC is
installed, the partition is un-hidden and assigned a drive letter, sometimes bumping other
drive letters and screwing up shortcuts, mappings, etc. It is a considerable problem and
is most assuredly caused by ECDC 6.
Computer Management (XP) does *not* work. Partition Magic does *not* work. Drivepart does
*not* work. But, do not despair, because at least on my system, Mountvol (part of XP) was
able to prevent the drive from getting a letter by deleting the system mount point. Usage:
1. Open a cmd window
2. Type "Mountvol" and find the letter being assigned to the 'new' (now
unhidden) drive
3. Type "Mountvol x:\ /d" (where "x" is the 'new' drive letter)
This worked for me. Use with caution at your own peril. And what a pain. Roxio was
useless, of course. So was Dell (I never did get the call back that I was promised within
2 hours, even though I knew exactly what I needed - info on how the partition was hidden
to begin with).
Don
(2)
One solution, if you have Partition Magic, is to rehide the Dell partitions, or delete
them and recombine the space into the other partition(s).
Steve
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
6-5-17: iTunes Burning Error 4280 fix for Sony CRX830E (Care of ~ Saint Mark)
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300403
Burning disc in iTunes for Windows using a Sony CD-RW/DVD CRX830E model drive fails with 4280 error
If you attempt to burn a disc in iTunes for Windows using a Sony CD-RW/DVD CRX830E model drive, you may get the following alert:
The attempt to burn a disc failed. An unknown error occurred (4280)
If you get this error in iTunes and you are using a Sony CD-RW/DVD CRX830E drive, you can make a small change to one configuration file to resolve the issue.
To find out if you have a Sony CD-RW/DVD CRX830E model drive:
If you see this in your results, you have a Sony CD-RW/DVD CRX830E model drive. Follow the steps below to resolve your burning issue.
The gcdrtype.cfg file opens.
Add this text
| NOSENDOPC
to the end of the line that starts with
DRVGENERALFLAGS
Note that the text you need to add starts with a space, then a vertical bar
"|" (Shift-), and another space. The edited line should look like this:
DRVGENERALFLAGS = MODESEL_NOPAGE01 | MODESEL_NOPAGE05 | NOSENDOPC
You can now burn discs in iTunes without getting that error message.
This document will be updated as more information becomes available
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
6-5-18: What is Dell`s DVD Sentry?
<i>From Dell-Stephen</i>
Thank you for visiting the Dell Community Forum.
DVD Sentry is NOT spyware, malware or adware. It does not gather or report any user or
system information; it also does not cause any popups or do any other adware/malware type
functions. DVD Sentry simply monitors when DVDs are inserted to prevent DVDs from
automatically installing software (some DVD movie disc try to install their own players
and software automatically when inserted - which can be detrimental to system
performance).
DVD Sentry is not required for the system to function and can be uninstalled through the
Add/Remove Software menu in the Control Panel. If removed just be careful about allowing
DVD disc to install extra player software that is not needed; if a DVD disc tries to
install its own player it is generally preferable to cancel and use your installed DVD
player software. There is no installation media for DVD Sentry so once removed you can not
reinstall it (its main purpose is for new users that may be confused by DVD disc trying to
install their own player software).
Some Spyware program key on DVD Sentry because it is a non-essential program running in
the system memory, the assumption is that it should be removed from the system to free up
system resources since it is not required for normal DVD functionality.
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |
6-5-19: Burn issue with WMP 11 (care of d2005)
d2005 issue:
I am unable to burn music to my blank cds, as Windows Media Player 11 tells me that I should change my burn speed and clean the discs. However, I have done this but still nothing's changed
What worked for me: I found 2 services, that obviously were integrated within WMP, were turned off, so I turned them on and voila, back to normal. They were 1): Universal Plug and Play; and 2): SSDP Discovery Services.
d2005
| Back to top | Back to CD/RW |