Create partition

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by comperroruter, Dec 9, 2005.

  1. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    O.K. When you buy a computer it comes with three partitions (usually). One for the utility stuff so that you can save your rear if you screw up royally. One for your operating system, and one for your CD Drive. I deleted all of these when I reformatted the first time. What I am wondering is, since my CD drive no longer has its own "space", does it use all of my hard drive to do the processes I ask it to do (for example, burn a disc)?

    How can I set up a seperate partition for my CD Drive again?

    My main issue is that when I put in a blank disc my hard drive starts working and it takes about 5 minutes until I can do anything because my system locks up. It is because the CD drive is reading so slow and does not know what to do with the blank CD. Any help is greatly appreciated!!!
     
  2. mPK

    mPK Private First Class

    wtf are you talking about?

    partition for the cd drive, i have never heard of this before.
     
  3. chasezcw

    chasezcw Private E-2

    cd roms would not require a partition from the hard drive, now it will show in windows below the hard drive, maybe your confused. Any way i wouldn't worry about creating a partition for a cdrw's or dvdrw's. Unless you plan on giving a lot of space for ISO files.

    Anyway, if your burning a cd your burning program may need space but it will take cache from somewhere like from the temp folder to operate.
     
  4. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    If I knew that I would not have to ask anyone in here.:p

    Because I have seen it in the Defrag window, but the post above yours cleared that up for me.

    The problem I am having is that my drive does not want to format CD's. Dells award losing customer service has said that I am missing "stuff" because I reformatted and wiped all partitions from my drive. I cannot seem to find this "stuff" they are talking about so I am trying to determine another course of action to take. They tried to have me download some firmware updates, but I did not have the items on my drive that the updates were supposed to update....so that did not work. Of course all they do is what I do, scroll through tons of documentation hoping to stumble on the answer. I have a HL-DT-STRW/DVD GCC-4481B. Supposed to be 16x DVD, 48/32/48 CD, DVD-ROM/CD-RW.

    I am hoping someone in here will have stumbled on it before and can enlighten me!
     
  5. chasezcw

    chasezcw Private E-2

    didnt know this was a dell, anywho you may be calling them for a restoration disk for your model, or buy a replacement drive, something not dell.
     
  6. Fertyop

    Fertyop Corporal

    Well there is your first problem buddy. Dell does something to their computers that make them screw up. Its like they send them to computer idiots first and then clean it up and sell it.
     
  7. Gecks

    Gecks Specialist

    Maybe Dell would have already done this with you, but have you gone to the dell website (www.support.dell.com) and downloaded the latest drivers for the drive? If you plug in the "service tag", and check under drivers and downloads, you should be able to find the specific drivers for you system.

    If you haven't already, installing and Dell-brand burning software from the "application" CD might help as well.

    9 times out of 10, if a problem happens after a format, it's a driver issue, at least IMHO.
     
  8. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan


    This has nothing to do with drivers, and drivers aren't required for any optical device (CD/DVD drives)

    Windows has native support, and has done since Windows 95b.

    This means you just plug the drive in, and Windows does the rest and installs the necessary files.

    There are no drivers to download or upgrade.


    comperroruter, I don't understand your problem, but if you can post the exact symptoms and relevant information, then I'm sure someone can help.
     
  9. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    Here we go:

    First time I had the problem was after I reformatted my drive and deleted all of the partitions (before I knew any better). I did not try to burn anything for a while after this. About a month ago I decided that I was going to save all of my set-up files to CD in case I had to reformat again. I loaded Sonic into my computer using the disk provided my Dell. I opened Sonic and placed a blank CD-RW in the drive. My hard drive light came on and stayed on, which is what prompted me to ask the partition question. I was curious as to why it would be using the Hard Drive like that and not the CPU. CPU usage was minimal, but for some reason Sonic stopped responding and I had to shut it down through Task Manager. No problem, I will use another app. I downloaded CD Burner XP which is what I used when I first burned CD's. Same results that I had with Sonic. When this happens I have let it run up to 10 minutes and nothing would happen. Today I decided to take another whack at it. I used the built in burner (Roxio?) that comes with Windows. I found that I was able to right click on the drive in My Computer and select format. It asked for the CD, I placed the CD in the drive and clicked retry repeatedly until the pop-up went away(drive read disk). It took about 5 minutes, but it finally recognized the CD and asked if I wanted to Quick Format or normal. I selected Quick (for the sake of testing) and away we went. Once the bar filled it said 100% but kept on going, and going, and going.

    Obviously Dell is not willing to admit that there may be a problem with their drive, but I am starting to believe that is the case because of the different ways it acts with regards to burning. I am not that good with the Hardware aspect, are there special components that allow a drive to burn CD's?

    I appreciate your help.
     
  10. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    Burning CD's isn't a science, more a black art, and lot's of things can go wrong.

    The worst thing you can do is to install many different burning programs as they screw up the Registry (especially in XP's case)

    XP already comes with a Direct CD plug in, which allows you to do packet writing.

    Windows Media Player also comes with a Nero plug in, so if you install other burning programs, it can all conflict.


    To answer your question "are there special components that allow a drive to burn CD's?"

    That depends on the operating system. For XP, all you need is a drive correctly installed. (packet writing only)

    If you want to do any more elaborate burning, then you must install a burning program.

    For Windows 9x, you need an ASPI layer as well, and it doesn't come with any burning functions on it's own like XP.


    Sorry to rattle on, but let's start at the beginning,

    What is your operating system?

    Is the drive displayed correctly with no errors in My Computer and Device Manager?

    How is it hooked up? (For example, it's on the secondary controller as a slave with another DVD drive etc)

    Has it ever worked in the past, and if so, when did it stop? (as in was it when you did or installed something?)
     
  11. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    I am using XP Pro, the drive is labeled correctly in My Computer and Device Manager (note, when I went to My Computer and right clicked on the D: drive icon my computer just now my hard drive light came on and is still running. It has been about 1 minute.) I am not sure what you mean about how is it hooked up, I received computer as it is now and have made no physical modifications except to add 512 Mb RAM. It worked when I first got the computer because I saved set-up files for a friend to use. It stopped working after I reformatted my hard drive.
     
  12. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    "note, when I went to My Computer and right clicked on the D: drive icon my computer just now my hard drive light came on and is still running. It has been about 1 minute"


    I doubt if it's related. Right-clicking only is a context menu and activates nothing.

    As far as how it is hooked up, how many hard drives do you have, which controller are they on, how many CD/DVD drives do you have, which controller are they on, and do they all have the correct Master/Slave hierarchy?

    If it worked previously and you haven't altered anything, then this shouldn't relevant.

    Try deleting the drive from Device Manager, then reboot and let Windows do the rest.

    If that fails, run the Nero Info Tool and post the log as an attachment here.
     
  13. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    Quick note, when I right click on the drive while there is a blank unformatted CD in it my hard drive light comes on but nothing else happens (hourglass figure). When I close My Computer the taskbar disappears momentarily and my hard drive light stays on for about 5 minutes after that. The CPU is not being used by anything at this time. Why would my hard drive light be solid for so long? Is it possible that the drive is looking for something and is having trouble finding?
     
  14. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    Right-clicking alone is a context menu and activates nothing.

    Do you mean right-clicking, then left clicking on something else?

    You are starting to lose me, so you need to be precise as I don't have your PC in front of me. ;)
     
  15. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    I mean that right clicking on the drive icon in My Computer, while there is a blank disk in the drive, causes my system to lock up. For example, just now I had My Computer open and sitting in the task bar. I placed a blank CD into my disk drive to recreate the problem so that I could be precise in my description. My disc drive lights came on, it wound up (the initial whirring sound) then nothing. I tried to close My Computer and my system froze. After one minute it unfroze. I closed My Computer in the Task Manager because it stopped responding. I did not have a task bar the entire time I typed this. It just came back now. This is the same type of thing that is happening when I try to access the context menu on my drive. When I have any other type of CD in it shows me the context menu. With a blank disc it does not show me the context menu and My Documents stops responding. I am not sure how else I can describe this problem to you. I appreciate your patience.
     
  16. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    Where do I find the Nero Info Tool? I uninstalled it and restarted. I am still having the same problem.
     
  17. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    The Nero Info Tool is included as part of the Nero ToolKit.

    You can run it and save a log, then post the log as an attachment.

    If you don't have it, we do HERE.
     
  18. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    Here is the Nero Log.
     

    Attached Files:

  19. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    Sorry Insomniac. I had a blank disc in the drive with that log. Here is a fresh one with nothing in the drive.
     

    Attached Files:

  20. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    I have one hard drive, I am not sure how to determine what controller it is on.

    I have one CD/DVD drive, I am not sure how to determine what controller it is on.
     
  21. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    Hard Drive is Primary IDE Master

    CD/DVD Drive is Secondary IDE Master
     
  22. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    Hey Insomniac,

    Thanks for your efforts:). After several arguments with Dell they are finally sending a tech out to replace my Cd drive. I have argued with them and went through the hoops about five times with this problem and they were not able to get it to work. So, I really appreciate your efforts. With luck they will allow me to keep the broken one so I can play with it!!

    I have another slot to put it in if I can get it working again.

    OR..is it possible to set my new one to be used for writing only and the old one for reading and general usage?
     
  23. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    Yes, you can have one as Master and one as Slave on the Secondary Controller.

    Leave your hard drive/s on the Primary Controller.


    I'm glad Dell are sending a tech out. If it's under warranty, they should have done that to begin with.

    Anyway, I'm sure it will get sorted. ;)
     
  24. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    Insomniac, I really hope you can help with this. Dell tech came today while I was at work and my fiance let him replace the drive without testing whether or not it would write. I came home and tried to format one of my RW discs and my computer locked up. My Computer stops responding and all kinds of stupidness happens. My screen goes blank and I have to open the disc drive in order for my desktop to come back. Can you, or anyone else, help me start from page one and check all things that could be wrong with this thing, or my settings, or system?

    Thanks!
     
  25. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    I or we can try, but bloody Dell would have had more chance with the computer in front of them instead of via the internet.


    Anyway, lets start at the beginning.

    Download Everest, and post a log here as an attachment.

    While you are waiting for a reply, update your motherboard/chipset drivers, as well as things like video card and DirectX. (Please don't miss any steps or it's a waste of time)

    If you can also post as to what burning software you are using (and have installed), and the steps you took.


    Personally, if it was me (even if I could fix it), I would call Dell and INSIST that they resolved the problem. (It's under warranty I assume?)

    It's also better they fix it, as you have an official record in case you have any further problems.

    If that's how you decide to go, don't let them fob you off. If it's under warranty, it should work.

    If you want to try to fix it yourself, follow the steps I outlined.
     
  26. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    OK, there are no newer drivers for my motherboard, bios, graphics, etc. I updated all of these within the last two weeks. I did try again though, per your advice. I am using Sonic, which came with my system.

    I will do my best to describe in detail what happens when I try to burn a CD.

    1. I place a cd in the drive and close it. The drive reads the cd for a little bit and nothing happens. I then open My Computer and right click on the drive and tell it to format the cd. My hard drive lights up and stays on. I wait about 5 minutes and nothing is happening. I open task manager and it shows that My Computer has stopped responding. I end its process. When I do this my desktop disappears, not the background, just the icons and system toolbar. I open the disc drive and remove the cd and my desktop comes back.

    Here is the requested attachment.

    I am going to contact Dell again but I would like to try and figure out what the problem is. I make a lot of changes to my rig and it could simply be a setting that I have made. Also, I am using Memorex CD-RW 4x / 700Mb / 80minutes. They replaced my drive with a different type of drive so I am certain the problem is within my system settings somewhere, not within the drive.

    I really appreciate your help!
     

    Attached Files:

  27. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    Totally unrelated, but try to increase the monitors refresh rate to 85Hz if you can. (right-click an empty part of desktop, properties, settings tab, advanced, then the monitor tab)

    If you can't, then it's not supported, but go as high as you can. (I think yours only goes as high as 70Hz)


    Back to the problem, the drive you have is a "HL-DT-ST CDRW/DVD GCC4482"

    It's basically a generic brand used by companies like Dell. It's made by LG I think.



    This part has me confused. You can only format a CDRW (a very few programs can format a CDR), so I hope that is what you are using?

    Also, right-clicking on the burner in My Computer and selecting format is using XP's burning plug-in and not Sonic.

    I can't help much with Sonic as I've never used it.

    Anyway, in Device Manager, under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers, double-click Secondary IDE channel.

    It should say, under Advanced settings tab, it should say DMA if available, and Ultra DMA mode 2 for transfer.

    (on the Primary IDE channel, which is for hard drives, if should also say DMA if available, but Ultra DMA mode 5 for transfer)

    Also, download the NERO INFO TOOL and post the log as an attachment.

    I would also try other programs like CDBurnerXP or the trial version of Nero.
     
  28. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    Monitor adjustment took. I am using CD RW. I have tried Cd BurnerXP and it stops responding also. Here is the Nero attachment. I will download the Nero trial and see what happens.
     
  29. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    You forgot the Info Tool attachment, and whether or not you have DMA enabled?
     
  30. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    I do believe that we got it done. I uninstalled Sonic and CD Burner XP, restarted in safe mode, ccleaner, regscrub, spybot, adaware, microsoft antispy. rebooted in normal mode and I was able to format one through XP's utility. I will post again if I have anymore trouble. Thank you very much for your help Insomniac.
     
  31. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    OK, that's good to hear. Good luck. ;)
     

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