[KLUG Members] Problems with cdrecord

[Mike Slack]

I found this searching through Google:

In article <JZlu6.16620$992.107602@news-server.bigpond.net.au>,
Ben <tobtoh@hotmail.com> wrote:
>I have Yamaha CRW4416S 4x burner. I installed cdrecord 1.9, mkisofs and a
>couple of different GUI frontends. I am running RedHat 7.
>
>The first time I tried burning a CD, it worked beautifully - just installed
>the above mentioned programs without any hitches and the CD burned without
>issue.
>
>Ever since then, I can't get the burner to work - I think I am getting SCSI
>errors but I am not sure. I haven't changed anything on my system (software
>or hardware) since my first successful burn so I am very confused as to why
>it doesn't work anymore.
>
>I've included a sample of the log file from one of my attempts to burn a CD
>at the end of this email. If anyone is able to give me some ideas where the
>problem may be that would be fantastic. I'm outta ideas for what to check
>next ....
>
>Thanks in advance!
>
>Cheers,
>Ben
>
>
snip
>

I have the same model and similar problems. In fact things are actually worse,
I can no longer reliably write CDRs without "focus servo" errors (requires
servicing). It can still write CDRWs without problems, but other than that 
it's pretty much a boat anchor. If you have any opportunity to unload this
writer and cut your losses I would recommend doing so. It turns out that these
writers were poorly designed in terms of providing cooling and are extremely
sensitive to internal case temperature. When I first started having problems
I did a lot of digging on the net and it appears numerous other Yamaha owners
had similar problems. Besides consistently overinflating performance numbers
(as can be seen in many CD writer reviews) Yamaha doesn't seem to design for
high reliability. My next writer will probably be a Plextor.

Getting back to your problem, you might want to experiment with a better grade
of CDRs. Also, are you having any trouble with CDRWs? If you hear a squeal during
CDR recording and get a "focus servo" error you're in trouble - call Yamaha before
the warranty expires. Last but not least, keep the unit as cool as possible. A
well vented case with intake and exhaust fans is almost mandatory. Good luck.

Peter Stein


Turns out I have the exact same CDRW burner they are talking about.  I wouldn't be surprised if it is a cooling problem, since my current office since I moved is much warmer than my old office.  I've been much more concerned lately about keeping my machines cool.  Plus I noticed that one of my intake fans was only operating at 50%.  This might also explain why it only craps out after going through at least 300MB.

Mike 

Adam Tauno Williams (adam@morrison-ind.com) wrote:
> >>Good idea, but unfortunately ... no.  If I get desperate I might stick
> >the drive in another machine and try it.  But I haven't reached that
> >level of desperation yet (coming soon??)
> >It doesn't sound like software to me since it starts writing and
> >dies 3/4 of the way into the burn.
> 
> I've seen the "focus servo" message, and read about it on LOTS of Usenet posts.
>  Occasionally it is due to bad media,   but it is usually a toasted drive.
> 
> 
> Systems and Network Administrator
> Morrison Industries
> 1825 Monroe Ave NW.
> Grand Rapids, MI. 49505
> _______________________________________________
> Members mailing list
> Members@kalamazoolinux.org
> 

-- 
Mike Slack
mike@slacking.org
--
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it wouldn't
be called research, would it?" --Albert Einstein