Power Calibration error - need new power supply

[Anonymous]

I have a 300w power supply and I have 2 hard drives running 120G and 60G plus a hard drive cooler, a couple of case fans. and a CDR burner. My monitor flickers every once in a while. I have a decent power surge bar.

My 120G drive is about 6 months old. I recently decided to burn a few CDRWs after a long absence. My Plextor 8432T would not burn reformatted CDRW. I tried different CDRW's. They no longer work on my PC. I either get a power calibration error or the burner thinks the CDRW is a CDR and it won't write or quick format the PC.

I decided to buy another CDR burner. I was able to read and write a few CDRW's no problem. But, suddenly, I developed power calibration errors again. I took the same CDRW to a friend's place who has the same burner and s/w and attempted to quickformat the CDRW. No problem at all on my friends system.

Clearly, it's something in my system. I was wondering if I should get a new power supply??

Thanks

 

[JAD]

what ASPI layer are you using? I found that this new version that is
being installed with some burnware (ver 4.71) is junk. goto the
Adaptec site and get ASPI checker...or maybe nero has one..
forceaspi17.exe on google and try the 4.60 ver

HTH


I have a 300w power supply and I have 2 hard drives running 120G and
60G plus a hard drive cooler, a couple of case fans. and a CDR
burner. My monitor flickers every once in a while. I have a decent
power surge bar.

My 120G drive is about 6 months old. I recently decided to burn a few
CDRWs after a long absence. My Plextor 8432T would not burn
reformatted CDRW. I tried different CDRW's. They no longer work on
my PC. I either get a power calibration error or the burner thinks
the CDRW is a CDR and it won't write or quick format the PC.

I decided to buy another CDR burner. I was able to read and write a
few CDRW's no problem. But, suddenly, I developed power calibration
errors again. I took the same CDRW to a friend's place who has the
same burner and s/w and attempted to quickformat the CDRW. No problem
at all on my friends system.

Clearly, it's something in my system. I was wondering if I should get
a new power supply??

Thanks

 

[Mike Richter]

I have a 300w power supply and I have 2 hard drives running 120G and 60G plus a hard drive cooler, a couple of case fans. and a CDR burner. My monitor flickers every once in a while. I have a decent power surge bar.

My 120G drive is about 6 months old. I recently decided to burn a few CDRWs after a long absence. My Plextor 8432T would not burn reformatted CDRW. I tried different CDRW's. They no longer work on my PC. I either get a power calibration error or the burner thinks the CDRW is a CDR and it won't write or quick format the PC.

I decided to buy another CDR burner. I was able to read and write a few CDRW's no problem. But, suddenly, I developed power calibration errors again. I took the same CDRW to a friend's place who has the same burner and s/w and attempted to quickformat the CDRW. No problem at all on my friends system.

Clearly, it's something in my system. I was wondering if I should get a new power supply??

Nothing that you describe suggests either power supply problems or a
load approaching 300 watts. On the other hand, the power supply is
inexpensive components and easy to replace, so if you're inspired to
try, why not?

Power calibration has little to do with the computer supply and
everything to do with the write laster. The most common reason for
problems there is media mismatch with your drive - typically, the wrong
rating. Make sure that if the drive logo has no speed designation or is
marked High Speed or Ultra Speed that you use similarly marked erasables.

Mike

 

[smh]

.. --------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------
(Mike Richter, any Material Connection w/ Roxio?)

http://groups.google.com/[email protected]
(Messages 10, 12 -- 34, 54 -- 69)

( No pipsqueaks have been able to prove ANY of the above is a libel )
( -- despite Mikey's supposed to have proof of misquotes !!! )

I have a 300w power supply and I have 2 hard drives running 120G and 60G plus a hard drive cooler, a couple of case fans. and a CDR burner. My monitor flickers every once in a while. I have a decent power surge bar.

My 120G drive is about 6 months old. I recently decided to burn a few CDRWs after a long absence. My Plextor 8432T would not burn reformatted CDRW. I tried different CDRW's. They no longer work on my PC. I either get a power calibration error or the burner thinks the CDRW is a CDR and it won't write or quick format the PC.

I decided to buy another CDR burner. I was able to read and write a few CDRW's no problem. But, suddenly, I developed power calibration errors again. I took the same CDRW to a friend's place who has the same burner and s/w and attempted to quickformat the CDRW. No problem at all on my friends system.

Clearly, it's something in my system. I was wondering if I should get a new power supply??

What software and its version number are you using?

Does the cd-rw have any speed marking like MultiSpeed, HighSpeed,
UltraSpeed or no marking?

What's the brand and model number of your new burner?

 

[smh]

.. --------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------
(Mike Richter, any Material Connection w/ Roxio?)

http://groups.google.com/[email protected]
(Messages 10, 12 -- 34, 54 -- 69)

( No pipsqueaks have been able to prove ANY of the above is a libel )
( -- despite Mikey's supposed to have proof of misquotes !!! )


Mike Richter (Friggin' Scum) spewed:

The most common reason for
problems there is media mismatch with your drive - typically, the wrong
rating. Make sure that if the drive logo has no speed designation or is
marked High Speed or Ultra Speed that you use similarly marked erasables.

--------------------------
Is the sky falling, Mikey?
--------------------------

======================================================================
Mike Richter (Friggin' Scum) wrote (12/24/03):

Most likely, you are using the wrong media.

If it's UltraSpeed, it wants discs in similarly marked
packages - rated 16x and above. If it's High Speed, it wants discs in
similarly marked packages, rated 4x and above. If it has neither
marking, it needs discs without such marking on their packaging and
rated no higher than 4x.

-------------------------------------------------------
And the sky is falling Chicken Little, go tell the king
-------------------------------------------------------

================================================================
Mike Richter (Friggin' Scum) wrote (12/16/03):

Erasable media have proved unreliable. In addition if you have a
HighSpeed drive (rated above 4x), you should not use media rated
for a maximum of 4x of less; they are not HighSpeed. You may get
apparently good results, but the error rate is likely to be high
and reliability will be low.

-------------------------------------------------------
And the sky is falling Chicken Little, go tell the king
-------------------------------------------------------

=======================================================
From: Mitch
Subject: Re: CD RW problem
Date: 11/30/03

Mike Richter (Friggin' Scum) wrote (11/26/03):

Yes and no. Your drive may or may not write to media of a lesser
type than specified, but the quality of the write is generally
much less than that for the specified type, which is often less
than you'd want to begin with. I did not say that it would not
work, only that "you're asking for trouble".

Double-check your data, though. There may be an UltraSpeed drive
which will write as slowly as 4x, but I don't know of it.

And the sky is falling Chicken Little, go tell the king.
========================================================

================================================================
======================================================================

 

[smh]

.. --------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------
(Mike Richter, any Material Connection w/ Roxio?)

http://groups.google.com/[email protected]
(Messages 10, 12 -- 34, 54 -- 69)

( No pipsqueaks have been able to prove ANY of the above is a libel )
( -- despite Mikey's supposed to have proof of misquotes !!! )


Mike Richter (Friggin' Scum) spewed:

The most common reason for
problems there is media mismatch with your drive - typically, the wrong
rating. Make sure that if the drive logo has no speed designation or is
marked High Speed or Ultra Speed that you use similarly marked erasables.

--------------------------
Is the sky falling, Mikey?
--------------------------

BTW, did you coin the term "erasable", Mikey?

=====================
From: Mike Richter (Slimeball)
Date: 5/17/02

I refer to "erasable"
=====================

-----------------------------
(From old cdrfaq)
Subject: [1-1] What's CD-R?

A related technology called CD-E (CD Erasable) is expected to be
available in late 1996.

[Note: It was recently decided to call this technology "CD-Rewritable"
instead of CD-Erasable" -- kwc]

-----------------------------
Subject: [2-12] How does CD-RW compare to CD-R?

CD-RW is short for CD-Rewritable. It used to be called CD-Erasable
(CD-E), but some marketing folks changed it so it wouldn't sound like
your important data gets erased on a whim.

-----------------------------
Erasable CDs are a go, compatibility to come later
October 23, 1996
By John Poultney

The newly standardized CD-Rewritable format, known until a month ago as
CD-Erasable
-----------------------------

 

[Anonymous]

4.60 version.

: what ASPI layer are you using? I found that this new version that is
: being installed with some burnware (ver 4.71) is junk. goto the
: Adaptec site and get ASPI checker...or maybe nero has one..
: forceaspi17.exe on google and try the 4.60 ver
:
: HTH
:
:
: : I have a 300w power supply and I have 2 hard drives running 120G and
: 60G plus a hard drive cooler, a couple of case fans. and a CDR
: burner. My monitor flickers every once in a while. I have a decent
: power surge bar.
:
: My 120G drive is about 6 months old. I recently decided to burn a few
: CDRWs after a long absence. My Plextor 8432T would not burn
: reformatted CDRW. I tried different CDRW's. They no longer work on
: my PC. I either get a power calibration error or the burner thinks
: the CDRW is a CDR and it won't write or quick format the PC.
:
: I decided to buy another CDR burner. I was able to read and write a
: few CDRW's no problem. But, suddenly, I developed power calibration
: errors again. I took the same CDRW to a friend's place who has the
: same burner and s/w and attempted to quickformat the CDRW. No problem
: at all on my friends system.
:
: Clearly, it's something in my system. I was wondering if I should get
: a new power supply??
:
: Thanks
:
:

 

[Anonymous]

:
: : Power calibration has little to do with the computer supply and
: everything to do with the write laster. The most common reason for
: problems there is media mismatch with your drive - typically, the wrong
: rating. Make sure that if the drive logo has no speed designation or is
: marked High Speed or Ultra Speed that you use similarly marked erasables.

The settings on both CDR's (exact same model and s/w) are the same. While my old Plextor and the new LG both have the same power calibration error using the exact same media. So, this is why the power supply is suspect.

I don't really want to spend the money right now on a new p/s unit unless I have to since late next year I'll get a better system of my own. And like all computer equipment, the longer one waits, the cheaper things become.

 

[Anonymous]

I am finally back at my own PC.

: What software and its version number are you using?

The S/W I am using is Nero Express 5.5.9.9 Bundled.
:
: Does the cd-rw have any speed marking like MultiSpeed, HighSpeed,
: UltraSpeed or no marking?

No, there is no speed marking
:
: What's the brand and model number of your new burner?

The Burner is an LG GCE 8525B CDRW, Win XP sees it in device manager: HL DT
ST CD-RW GCE 852B

 

[smh]

.. --------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------
(Mike Richter, any Material Connection w/ Roxio?)

: What software and its version number are you using?

The S/W I am using is Nero Express 5.5.9.9 Bundled.

What drive was it bundled with? Usually bundled Nero works only with
the drive that came with it. Anyhow you should upgrade to 5.5.10.56.

(What software was used to format the cd-rw's originally?)
(What software are you using to reformat the cd-w's now?)

: Does the cd-rw have any speed marking like MultiSpeed, HighSpeed,
: UltraSpeed or no marking?

No, there is no speed marking

If no markings, it's rated at 2x only. Only low speed burners will
write to it, like Plextor 8432T, but LG 8525B UltraSpeed+ won't.

: What's the brand and model number of your new burner?

The Burner is an LG GCE 8525B CDRW, Win XP sees it in device manager: HL DT
ST CD-RW GCE 852B

LG 8525B 52X32X52X is UltraSpeed+ drive. This drive won't write to 2x
only cd-rw.

Get Verbatim DataLifePlus Ultra Speed (16-24x) cd-rw, and if LG 8525B
still have problems writing to it -- make sure the burn speed is 24x or
less -- then your problem lies most likely with hardware other than the
burner.

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10332676

 

[Charles]

Be careful how you approach this. Is your computer bad or is your
electrical house power fluctuating? Both can occur. Most likely
it is the power supply but you never know.

 

[Pavel]

:
: What drive was it bundled with? Usually bundled Nero works only with
: the drive that came with it. Anyhow you should upgrade to 5.5.10.56.

The LG 8525B. But, I did use another version of nero software with the
plextor though.
:
: If no markings, it's rated at 2x only. Only low speed burners will
: write to it, like Plextor 8432T, but LG 8525B UltraSpeed+ won't.
:
: LG 8525B 52X32X52X is UltraSpeed+ drive. This drive won't write to 2x
: only cd-rw.

Ok, that makes sense. What doesn't is the fact the same CDRW (actually I
misunderstood there is 4X markings on the CDRW) works fine no problem on
another 52x32x52 Burner using the same Nero software.
:
: Get Verbatim DataLifePlus Ultra Speed (16-24x) cd-rw, and if LG 8525B
: still have problems writing to it -- make sure the burn speed is 24x or
: less -- then your problem lies most likely with hardware other than the
: burner.
:
: http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10332676

I am thinking that there is some kind of other hardware issue. Perhaps the
p/s?

 

[smh]

.. --------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------
(Mike Richter, any Material Connection w/ Roxio?)

...

: What drive was it bundled with? Usually bundled Nero works only with
: the drive that came with it. Anyhow you should upgrade to 5.5.10.56.

The LG 8525B. But, I did use another version of nero software with the
plextor though.

Care to give the version number of that Nero?
Does "InCD" ring a bell to you?
Do you know that old InCD is not compatible with current InCD?

:
: If no markings, it's rated at 2x only. Only low speed burners will
: write to it, like Plextor 8432T, but LG 8525B UltraSpeed+ won't.
:
: LG 8525B 52X32X52X is UltraSpeed+ drive. This drive won't write to 2x
: only cd-rw.

Ok, that makes sense. What doesn't is the fact the same CDRW (actually I
misunderstood there is 4X markings on the CDRW) works fine no problem on
another 52x32x52 Burner using the same Nero software.

Should write to 4x cd-rw.
Remember, however, Nero does not format.

Care to respond to this?

(What software was used to format the cd-rw's originally?)
(What software are you using to reformat the cd-rw's now?)

:
: Get Verbatim DataLifePlus Ultra Speed (16-24x) cd-rw, and if LG 8525B
: still have problems writing to it -- make sure the burn speed is 24x or
: less -- then your problem lies most likely with hardware other than the
: burner.
:
: http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10332676

I am thinking that there is some kind of other hardware issue. Perhaps the
p/s?

Perhaps.

 

[Anonymous]

: : > "smh" wrote...
: >
: > : What drive was it bundled with? Usually bundled Nero works only with
: > : the drive that came with it. Anyhow you should upgrade to 5.5.10.56.
: >
: > The LG 8525B. But, I did use another version of nero software with the
: > plextor though.
:
: Care to give the version number of that Nero?

Nero Express 5.5.9.9

: Does "InCD" ring a bell to you?

No.

: Do you know that old InCD is not compatible with current InCD?

?

: Should write to 4x cd-rw.
: Remember, however, Nero does not format.
:
: Care to respond to this?

Sure, to me, quick erase is the same as quick format just like to me, full erase is the same as format. All that matters is that one deletes (or formats) the disk faster than the other. Perhaps technically there is a difference, but to the average joe it doesn't make any difference whatsoever.

 

[Anonymous]

: Be careful how you approach this. Is your computer bad or is your
: electrical house power fluctuating? Both can occur. Most likely
: it is the power supply but you never know.

Agreed. I live in a apartment built in the late 60's early 70's. I guess there is no way of knowing for sure is there?

 

[smh]

.. --------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------
(Mike Richter, any Material Connection w/ Roxio?)

...
: >
: > : What drive was it bundled with? Usually bundled Nero works only with
: > : the drive that came with it. Anyhow you should upgrade to 5.5.10.56.

Sure, to me, quick erase is the same as quick format just like to me, full erase is the same as format. All that matters is that one deletes (or formats) the disk faster than the other. Perhaps technically there is a difference, but to the average joe it doesn't make any difference whatsoever.

(Don't mix Erase with Format.)
(Check the burner ventilation is not restricted.)

Download Nero 5.5.10.56.
Save the Nero serial number.
Uninstall Nero.

Run Nero Clean Tool:
http://www.nero.com/us/ns4_631940828445001.html

Install Nero 5.5.10.56.
Get a Verbatim DataLifePlus UltraSpeed cd-rw, and see if you still get
power calibration error.

 

[Anonymous]

: (Don't mix Erase with Format.)
: (Check the burner ventilation is not restricted.)

Will do.
:
: Download Nero 5.5.10.56.
: Save the Nero serial number.
: Uninstall Nero.
:
: Run Nero Clean Tool:
: http://www.nero.com/us/ns4_631940828445001.html
:
: Install Nero 5.5.10.56.
: Get a Verbatim DataLifePlus UltraSpeed cd-rw, and see if you still get
: power calibration error.


Thanks, do u have a clean tool for Easy CD Creator?

 

[smh]

.. --------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------
(Mike Richter, any Material Connection w/ Roxio?)

http://groups.google.com/[email protected]
(Messages 10, 12 -- 34, 54 -- 69)

( No pipsqueaks have been able to prove ANY of the above is a libel )
( -- despite Mikey's supposed to have proof of misquotes !!! )

...
: (Don't mix Erase with Format.)
: (Check the burner ventilation is not restricted.)

Will do.
:
: Download Nero 5.5.10.56.
: Save the Nero serial number.
: Uninstall Nero.
:
: Run Nero Clean Tool:
: http://www.nero.com/us/ns4_631940828445001.html
:
: Install Nero 5.5.10.56.
: Get a Verbatim DataLifePlus UltraSpeed cd-rw, and see if you still get
: power calibration error.

Thanks, do u have a clean tool for Easy CD Creator?

RoxiZap:
http://softwareupdates.roxio.com/gm/support/tools/roxizap.exe
(Run this BEFORE installing Nero.)

===========================
From: "Howard Kaikow"
Subject: Caveat: Do not use RoxioZap
Date: 4/25/04

RoxioZap is a program I learned about a few daze ago.
The program is designed to clean out Roxio files.

I reported a problem with RoxioZAP in the Roxio discussion forums.

Roxio has deleted my thread reporting the problem with RoxioZap.

I guess they don't want folkes to know that they are deleting the
references
to drivers loaded as upper and lower filters, even if those drivers are
not
from Roxio or Adaptec.

In my case, RoxioZap also deleted references to drivers from Ahead and
Veritas.
===========================

 

[w_tom]

Now apply numbers to that speculation. For electrical house
power to fluctuate enough to adversely effect the computer,
then incandescent lamps are dimming to well below 40%
intensity. If you are not seeing light intensity change, then
household electric power is not fluctuating.

Is the power supply a problem. Only speculation until a 3.5
digit multimeter has actually read those voltages. Again, no
way around a need for numbers. Without numbers, we then have
only speculation & junk science reasoning.

Either power supply is reason for problem or it is not. Find
out up front to eliminate PSU as a reason for doubt. Those
reading by a 3.5 digit multimeter would answer that question
completely. Then other problems can be considered without
worrying abut power supply speculations.

Too many replies only speculated. A severe shortage of
requests for hard facts. Measure those power supply voltages.
Confirm supply is OK. Then more on to other 'usual'
suspects. But AC mains fluctuations, enough to effect any
computer, would be that obvious as demonstrated by the
numbers.

 

[Andy McFadden]

: : Power calibration has little to do with the computer supply and
: everything to do with the write laster. The most common reason for
: problems there is media mismatch with your drive - typically, the wrong
: rating. Make sure that if the drive logo has no speed designation or is
: marked High Speed or Ultra Speed that you use similarly marked erasables.

The settings on both CDR's (exact same model and s/w) are the same. While my old Plextor and the new LG both have the same power calibration error using the exact same media. So, this is why the power supply is suspect.

You may have reason to suspect your system, but there's no reason to target
the power supply. The CD recorder might draw 1 watt while it's operating.
Some tests I performed on an external drive showed it pulling 6-7W while
spinning up, but once the disc was up to speed it drew next to nothing.

If the same media is giving you power calibration errors on multiple drives,
I'd worry a bit about the media. If you're convinced it's a hardware issue,
start by disabling any overclocking you've done. OCed hardware tends to
be less stable.

I don't really want to spend the money right now on a new p/s unit unless I have to since late next year I'll get a better system of my own. And like all computer equipment, the longer one waits, the cheaper things become.

Unless it's broken, in which case it's expensive right now.

There's a rule of thumb in the consumer electronics business: hard drives
always cost US$70. They get bigger every year, but the capacity you need
for "current" applications always costs $70. That 10MB hard drive is really
cheap right now, but it's not all that useful.