R40e: CD burning problem

[dmerk]

Hello,

I faced a strange problem when writing CD-Rs.

The config: IBM Thinkpad R40e, 2.4 GHz, 512 MB RAM, TEAC DW-224E
writer, OEM XP home SP1. A brand new machine, bought just a month ago.

After having written about 30 CDs with no problems, from a certain moment on, writing failed unreproducibly at about every second CD.

When writing audio CDs with Feurio, it reports "DEVICEIOCONTROL-ERROR" what I don't understand. Once I noticed a "Read error when filling buffer" message as well. Then, Windows tries to save system data but unable to do it, everything slows down and finally I have to reboot and
discard the CD-R.

I tried IBM RecordNow (a pre-installed simple burning software), it
produces an error message without a clear explanation or message.

Nero (v. 5.9.9.0.) reports "Could not perform fixation" and "Invalid
field in parameter" in a loop, finally "Could not perform EndTrack"
(?) when writing a data CD.

Later, I uninstalled Feurio and Nero but RecordNow still produces the problem.

I do not run any paralel software, I did not install anything bad before the error occurred, there is no net connection when burning. I also checked,
there are no hardware IRQ problems.

I made an extensive search on newsgroups and web forums, observed
people reporting similar problems, but I couldn't find a clear answer (that
is, "A" reports the problem > "B" proposes a solution > "A" tries and
reports success). Instead, many ideas arose, from those I tried some and
comment on others:

- "It is the error of CDR, try different brands" - it happens at several different CDR brands
- "disable "drag&drop" CD writing" - it is disabled
- "try firmware update" - the writer is OEM, the system is pre-installed, it should work as it is
- "try installing new ASPI driver" - the writer is OEM, the system is pre-
installed, it should work as it is, also Feurio do not propose it

Sorry this was so long but I am desperate without any understanding or
idea. Any help is appreciated.

dmerk

[mitch]

I was always lead to believe that installing more than one burning software program on any PC endangers you to the possibility that one can interfere with the other.
Though you have tried uninstalling these programs I am wondering if you may have a few stray files that were left behind.
As you have already stated that you burnt 30 cds without error a change has obviously ocurred somewhere.
I dont know much about laptops at the moment but if I had this problem on my PC I would uninstall programs similar to you,and during reboot go into the BIOS and ask it to autodetect devices.I would also boot in safe mode where you can see if any devices have been duplicated in the device manager. Theres no harm in uninstalling and reinstalling device/drivers either. It all helps?
I hope the answer to your problem is not a fresh system install, but as I say I am not familar with laptops and I would not like to mislead you with this type of advice.
As I type I am thinking of buying a R40E so if you get a moment maybe you could send me a private review cm1@ntlworld.com

Mitch.

[dmerk]

I have solved the problem, hehe. I regularly use a USB soundcard (M-Audio transit), it is almost always connected. Since I have disconnected it, CD burning goes with no problems. Although I don't understand the reason (probably it belongs to those "mystical" driver collisions/incompatibilities), I am happy now. Now I use Feurio for audio and RecordNow for data CDs. To be honest, I did not make a counter-test (that is, reconnecting and trying burning again), I was so bored and upset with trashing half of my CDs...

You ask for review. Well... what can I say? I am really happy with it. I use it mainly for word processing, moderate net-browsing, sound editing and (not really intense) graphics editing. I did not regret my choice. A good value for money. I chose a Thinkpad because I own also a 760XD which is, I think, a really great model, but obviously I have "growned out" it.

Beside this burning problem, I faced no serious problems. My only complaint is the poor audio (low volume and noisy) however this issue is not important for me.

If you have any specific questions, just ask - I think however that there are more competent people here.

[mitch]

I just want to buy a laptop that will allow me to use XP ,MS office programs,corel draw,paint shop etc. Not interested in a games machine.

As all reputable brands of new laptops in the Uk cost £699 GBP minimum , I was impressed to find that I could buy the R40e for £505 GBP including delivery,even though the UKTE0HVUK model only comes with basic DVD player and 128mb memory,I can buy another 128mb for £15 GBP.

But as this is probably a basic IBM model I had also considered buying a refurbished T22 (PIII 900 hz,256mb,30HD) for £410 GBP.
As I can't see the R40E product working I needed to find someone who owned one of these machines so that I could buy with some degree of confidence.
I can live with a machine being a little slow in performance, but the display is important.I saw a Inspiron 1000 the other day which was only £499 GBP but the screen display was awful.

Is the display OK?
Can you use trackpad as well as trackpoint?
Is the machine resonably responsive when opening programs?

[dmerk]

Is the display OK? Can you use trackpad as well as trackpoint? Is the machine resonably responsive when opening programs?

Just shortly...

The display is OK.

My model has trackpoint only but the manual says that certain models have also a trackpad.

The machine is not really fast when opening programs - I think the hard disk is not very fast. For me it's OK. This is a matter of taste and of personal requirements, so I suggest you go to a shop and try yourself.