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CD-R
problems
Aug
30, 1999
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Q:
I am looking for assistance in tracking down a
problem I am having when I distribute a CD-ROM
program. The duplicated CD's work on the majority
of computers but occasionally will run into a
problem. The computer will not be able to read the
CD-ROM. It will read part of the course on the CD
but will get to a point and lockup. The real
dilemma here is that it's not the same point on
every computer.
I
have tried to narrow the problem down to a specific
version of Windows and there is no apparent
pattern. I had the CD's tested at a Lab and the
report gave them a Grade A.
Any
Suggestions?
JJ.
A:
I don't really have any answers, but you might want
to check the following:
i)
Are these pressed discs or "burned" (CD-R) i.e.
made on a CD burner? CD-R discs are not the same as
pressed ones, and some drives have problems reading
burned discs. Even different CD-R media can behave
differently in different drives. Switching to a
different brand of CD blank can make a difference;
TDK and Memorex have worked well for me.
ii)
Is the exact same disc readable on one drive, yet
not on another? If that's the case then it sounds
like a problem with the CD Reader; i.e. for some
reason it isn't able to read the disc. Again, this
is most likely to happen with CD-R
media.
iii)
When you say it's not the same point on every
computer, does that mean also that two discs on the
same computer will freeze at different
points? If so, it again points to media.
iv)
Does the same disc freeze consistently at the same
point on the same computer if run multiple times?
This test isn't very conclusive; it could he
hardware or software.
v)
What happens if you try and copy from the CD to the
hard disk, rather than run the program from the CD?
Does the copy freeze?
vi)
Does the CD reader have an access light? Does it
indicate the drive is trying to read the
disc?
vii)
On computers where the program does freeze, if you
copy it to the hard disk does it run correctly?
(The fact that it freezes at different points may
mean it's software rather than hardware)
viii)Have
you checked all possible system variations other
than the system; i.e. Available memory; RAM as well
as hard disk space available for virtual memory?
CD-ROM drive letter; is the software accessing the
CD drive directly? Connection to network(s)?
Existence or lack of other hardware or software
that the program might be expecting.
ix)
I assume that the disc(s) you had checked were ones
that had failed (not just a sample from the same
batch?)
If
none of these questions/suggestions turn up
anything, then I'm not sure what else might be
going on. Good luck!
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