Question regarding performance counters and cpu priority

[Guest]

My son and I are having problems trying to burn music discs.
We have tried Roxio, Nero and a host of freeware burners but we keep running
into an issue that I would like to track down.
We can make direct copies within all of the aforementioned applications but
when trying to make a compilation disc we were getting "we're sorry
but-----has encounterd a problem and needs to close... etc."
I have tracked this problem down to having the operating system kept in ram
i.e."disabling executive paging".
After I put this back to the default I no longer have the burning
application close...However, now the discs complete "sucessfully" but at
about the same length of time into the disc that the program would
close,(approx.1/2 way), the songs start to skip.
I have tried slowing down the burn speeds, different brand discs, 4
different burners that I have and ,as stated, several programs so I'm sure
the issue is with my specific set up.
I'm fairly confident that something is polling the cpu at these times and
was wondering:
1) Can I use performance counters to try and track this down and if so how
and which counters ? and
2) Can/should I set the burning program at a higher cpu priority which is
currently at normal ?
I have tried so many different things including of course disabling windows
built in burning, disabling drag to disc, in-cd etc. etc.
I have 1 Gb. of ram and a 1.7 mhz. processor. I'm using XP Home and
currently am using both a Sony 800 DRU dual format/double layer DVD drive and
a TDK 840 G dual format DVD drive. I have used just a cd burner but
experienced the same issues.
Both drives are setup with DMA enabled and have tried with/without Intels
application accelerator.
Oddly enough, I have no problems at all using windows media player 10.
One other oddity. On the Sony drive, when I try to view a recorded back up
copy of a DVD, the computer can't find the drive and I have to go into Device
Manager and "search for hardware updates" to find it again.
When I put a commercially recorded DVD in, it finds it normally. Any ideas???

 

[Guest]

A couple of other points I forgot:
All drives have the latest firmware and drivers.
The two drives are set up cable select on the secondary ide channel as noted
with DMA enabled at their current, rated spec.
All software has been upgraded to the latest and greatest with all available
patches etc.
I make sure that I am not on the internet,(I have dial-up),I have disabled
screensavers and wallpaper toy changers,I don't do anything else while it's
burning and do not have any scheduled tasks enabled.
I do,however have the antivirus in auto protect and enabled.
I have checked for virus' ,ad-ware,spyware etc. none found.
I don't believe this is a heat issue because this is the only problem or
symptom I am experiencing with any applications.
Windows XP Home includes SP2 and all current updates.
One common denominator is all of the songs have been ripped to the
harddrive,(which has been defragged,cleaned, checked for errors, has about
27% free space and has had it's temp.files deleted/cleaned between each
attempt.), with media player so they are wma. files. I may try to convert
them to wav. files but I would still like to know what is causing these
coaster making hiccup's.
As stated, I can make direct copies either disc to disc or harddrive to disc
with no problems but cannot make compilation discs.
I have read just about every forum,tip site, article etc. but there are just
too many and too many variables involved.
I will provide any additional info. if needed.