Use media from the Iomega recommended media list

Test the data and/or audio extraction rates for your CD-RW and CD-ROM drives

Please use the following steps to find the data and/or audio extraction rates for your CD-RW and CD-ROM drives.

Select the software you are using:

HotBurn

Note: Please have the original Iomega HotBurn software CD ready for the following steps. If HotBurn was downloaded, please use the disc you were asked to create when the software was installed. HotBurn only tests the audio extraction rate or your drives.


1. Click Start, Programs, Iomega HotBurn and then Iomega HotBurn.
   
   
2. If the System Test has not been run before, the System Test screen will automatically appear and you will then need to click the Test button, otherwise, click the HotBurn options button and select Run System Test.
   
   
3. Click Select, located in the layout window and then choose your CD-ROM drive from the list that appears.
   
   
4. Click OK
   
   
5. Click the Test button. The system test will now ask you for the original Iomega HotBurn software CD. Clean the software CD if needed to ensure that an accurate digital audio extraction rate is found while using the CD.
   
   Note: A disk other than the original Iomega HotBurn software CD can be used for the System Test, but the System Test time may dramatically increase if the original CD is not used.
   
   
6. Once the System Test is done, make a note of the audio extraction rate information listed and then click the Complete button.
   
   
7. Repeat steps C through F to test all of the CD-ROM devices on your system.
   
   
8. Compare the audio extraction rate of your CD-RW drive to the audio extraction rate of the CD-ROM drive you are using as the source drive.
   
   If the data and/or audio extraction rate varies only a little or not at all, you should be able to use your CD-RW and CD-ROM drives together to create your CDs without experiencing CD creation errors.
   
   If the data and/or audio extraction rate varies in speed, you may experience CD creation errors. You should use your CD-RW drive as both the source and destination drive, burn at a slower speed that is less than or equal to the source drive's audio extraction rate or copy the information to your hard drive before burning your CDs.
   
   

Easy CD Creator

Listed below are steps for different versions of the Easy CD Creator™ application. Please verify what version of Easy CD Creator you are using and use the appropriate steps. To find what version of Easy CD Creator you are using; open the Easy CD Creator application, click Help and About Easy CD Creator to view the version number.

Select the Easy CD Creator version you are using:

Copy your data and/or audio files to your hard drive

You can help prevent CD creation errors if you copy your data and/or audio files to your hard drive and burn your CDs using your hard drive as the source. Please use the steps below to burn a CD using your hard drive as the source drive.

Select the software you are using:

HotBurn

1. Place a blank CD-R disc into your CD-RW drive. (All Iomega CD-RW (ZipCD) drives are capable of writing to 650 to 700MB or 74 to 80 minute CD-R media. Iomega does not support nor recommend the use of 800MB or 90 minute CD-R media with Iomega CD-RW drives.)
   
   
2. The Iomega HotBurn software should now automatically open.
   
   Note: If the Iomega HotBurn software does not automatically open; click Start, Programs, Iomega HotBurn and Iomega HotBurn.
   
   
3. Click the Music CD button.
   
   
4. Click the Explore button to navigate to the location where the audio files are stored.
   
   
5. Click the audio files you want to add to your CD and drag them into the CD layout window. You may also click the Add button to add the selected files to the CD layout. HotBurn will automatically convert MP3, WMA or Wave audio files into CD audio tracks.
   
   
6. Continue adding audio files to the CD layout until all the songs you want are present or until the disc is full.
   
   
7. Click the Settings button to view the HotBurn CD creation settings.
   
   
8. Select the 'Pre-copy all audio files to the hard drive first?' option.
   
   
9. Click the Create CD button.
   
   
10. Once the CD writing session is done, click the Complete button.
    
    If pre-copying your audio files to the hard drive first helps prevent CD creation errors, ensure that you do this in the future while burning your CDs.
    
    

Easy CD Creator

Note: Listed below are steps for different versions of the Easy CD Creator application. Please verify what version of Easy CD Creator you are using and use the appropriate steps. To find what version of Easy CD Creator you are using; open the Easy CD Creator application, click Help and About Easy CD Creator to view the version number.

Select the Easy CD Creator version you are using:

CD Copier Deluxe™

1. Please have a blank CD-R or CD-RW disc ready.
   
   
2. Place the source CD, which contains the information you want to record, into your CD-RW drive.
   
   
3. Click Start, Programs, Iomega CD-RW (ZipCD), Features and CD Copier.
   
   
4. Read the Welcome page and click OK.
   
   
5. Under Copy from, select your CD-RW drive from the drop-down menu.
   
   
6. Under Record to, select your CD-RW drive from the drop-down menu.
   
   
7. Click the Advanced tab.
   
   
8. Choose the settings you desire from the options list.
   
   Note: If you would like to keep your settings as the default settings, click the Set as Default button.
   
   
9. Click the Copy button.
   
   Note: CD Copier will now copy the information from your CD to your hard drive.
   
   
10. When prompted, place a blank recordable disc into your CD-RW drive.
    
    
11. The disc will eject when the CD creation process is complete.
    
    If copying the CD to your hard drive first helps prevent CD creation errors, ensure that you do this in the future while burning your CDs.
    
    

DirectCD™

Disable DMA for your source CD-ROM drive and CD-RW drive

Please use the following steps to disable the DMA (Direct Memory Access) settings for your source CD-ROM drive and CD-RW drive.

Caution: The troubleshooting steps below walk you through disabling DMA on your computer's CD-ROM drive. This may enhance performance, however, some older CD-ROM drives cannot use these settings and problems may result. Before disabling DMA, check the documentation that came with your computer or CD-ROM drive to see if the drive supports DMA. Do not try to disable DMA on your computer's CD-ROM drive if DMA is not supported.

Select your operating system

Windows 95/98/Me

1. Click Start, Settings and Control Panel.
   
   
2. Double-click the System icon.
   
   Note: Windows Me users, select 'View all Control Panel options' if the System icon is not present.
   
   
3. Click the Device Manager tab.
   
   
4. Click the plus (+) sign next to CD-ROM.
   
   
5. Double-click the icon for your source CD-ROM. If your CD-RW drive is the only CD-ROM drive on your system, proceed to step I.
   
   
6. Click the Settings tab.
   
   
7. Click DMA to disable the option and remove the check mark.
   
   Note: DMA is disabled when a check mark is not present.
   
   
8. Click OK.
   
   
9. Double-click the icon for your CD-RW drive.
   
   
10. Click the Settings tab.
    
    
11. Click DMA and remove the check mark to disable the option.
    
    Note: DMA is disabled when a check mark is not present.
    
    
12. Click OK.
    
    
13. Try burning a CD.
    
    
    • If disabling the DMA settings help prevent CD creation errors, ensure that DMA is disabled each time you use your source CD-ROM drive and CD-RW drive.
      
      

Windows 2000/XP

1. Click Start, Settings and Control Panel.
   
   Note: Windows XP users, click Start and then click Control Panel.
   
   
2. Double-click the System icon.
   
   
3. Click the Hardware tab.
   
   
4. Click the Device Manager tab.
   
   
5. Click the plus (+) sign next to IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers.
   
   
6. Double-click the Primary IDE Channel or Secondary IDE Channel icon where your source CD-ROM drive is located. If your CD-RW drive is the only CD-ROM drive on your system, proceed to step J.
   
   
7. Click the Advanced Settings tab.
   
   
8. Under Device 0 (master) or Device 1 (slave), depending on where your CD-ROM drive is located, select PlO Only from the drop-down box next to Transfer Mode.
   
   
9. Click OK.
   
   
10. Double-click the Primary IDE Channel or Secondary IDE Channel icon where your CD-RW drive is located.
    
    
11. Click the Advanced Settings tab.
    
    
12. Under Device 0 (master) or Device 1 (slave), depending on where your CD-RW drive is located, select PlO Only from the drop-down box next to Transfer Mode.
    
    
13. Click OK.
    
    
    • If disabling the DMA settings help prevent CD creation errors, ensure that DMA is disabled each time you use your source CD-ROM drive and CD-RW drive.
      
      

Windows NT

Change the write speed to a slower speed

Your system may not be configured to burn at higher speeds or the media may not be able to handle high speed burning if you experience CD creation errors while burning your CDs. Please use the following steps to burn your discs at a slower speed to help prevent CD creation errors.

Select the software you are using:

HotBurn

Note: You will need to change the write speed while creating a CD.

1. Place a blank CD-R disc into your CD-RW drive. (All Iomega CD-RW (ZipCD) drives are capable of writing to 650 to 700MB or 74 to 80 minute CD-R media. Iomega does not support nor recommend the use of 800MB or 90 minute CD-R media with Iomega CD-RW drives.)
   
   
2. The Iomega HotBurn software should now automatically open.
   
   Note: If the Iomega HotBurn software does not automatically open; click Start, Programs, Iomega HotBurn and Iomega HotBurn.
   
   
3. Click the Music CD or Data CD button.
   
   
4. Click the Explore button to navigate to the location where the files are stored.
   
   Note: If creating an audio CD, HotBurn supports CD audio, MP3, WMA and Wave audio file formats.
   
   
5. Click the files you want to add to your CD and drag them into the CD layout window. You may also click the Add button to add the selected files to the CD layout. HotBurn will automatically convert any MP3, WMA or Wave audio files into CD audio tracks.
   
   
6. Continue adding files to the CD layout until all the information you want is present or until the disc is full.
   
   
7. Click the Settings button to view the HotBurn CD creation settings.
   
   
8. Next to Burn Speed, select a slower speed from the drop-down list.
   
   Note: Try selecting a write speed of 2x.
   
   
9. Click the Create CD button.
   
   
10. Once the CD writing session is done, click the Complete button.
    
    If changing the write speed helps prevent CD creation errors, keep burning your discs at slower speeds or try using different media.
    
    

Easy CD Creator

1. Click Start, Programs, Iomega CD-RW (ZipCD), Features (not required in all software versions) and Easy CD Creator.
   
   
2. Click Tools and CD Drive Properties or Recorder Properties.
   
   
3. Select the drive letter for your CD-RW drive.
   
   
4. Select a slower write speed from the Write speed drop-down box.
   
   Note: Try selecting a write speed of 2x.
   
   
5. Click OK.
   
   
6. Try burning a CD.
   
   If changing the write speed helps prevent CD creation errors, keep burning your discs at slower speeds or try using different media.
   
   

CD Copier Deluxe

1. Click Start, Programs, Iomega CD-RW (ZipCD), Features (not required in all software versions) and CD Copier.
   
   
2. Read the Welcome page and click OK.
   
   
3. Click the Advanced tab.
   
   
4. Select a slower write speed from the CD-Recorder speed drop-down box.
   
   Note: Try selecting a write speed of 2x.
   
   
5. Click the Set as Default button.
   
   
6. Try burning a CD.
   
   If changing the write speed helps prevent CD creation errors, keep burning your discs at slower speeds or try using different media.
   
   

DirectCD

1. Click Start, Programs, Iomega CD-RW (ZipCD) and DirectCD Wizard.
   
   
2. Read the Welcome page and click Next.
   
   
3. Click the drive letter for your CD-RW drive.
   
   
4. Click the Properties button.
   
   
5. Click the Settings tab.
   
   
6. Select a slower write speed from the Current Write Speed drop-down box.
   
   Note: Try selecting a write speed of 2x.
   
   
7. Click the Apply button.
   
   
8. Try burning a CD.
   
   If changing the write speed helps prevent CD creation errors, keep burning your discs at slower speeds or try using different media.
   
   

Allow the drive to cool down when burning multiple CDs

If you start experiencing CD creation errors after successfully burning multiple CDs, you may need to let your drive cool down before you burn any more CDs.

If you no longer receive CD creation errors, ensure that you let the drive cool down between multiple CD burning sessions when you burn your CDs.

Disable read-ahead optimization on your hard drive in Windows 95/98/Me

Disabling the read-ahead optimization on your hard drive can help prevent CD creation errors. Please use the following steps.

1. Click Start, Settings and Control Panel.
   
   
2. Double-click the System icon.
   
   Note: Windows Me users, select 'View all Control Panel options' if the System icon is not present.
   
   
3. Click the Performance tab.
   
   
4. Under Advanced Settings, click the File System button.
   
   
5. Click the Hard Disk tab.
   
   
6. Set the read-ahead optimization to None.
   
   
7. Try burning a CD.
   
   
   • If changing the read-ahead optimization helps prevent CD creation errors, keep the read-ahead optimization at "none" when creating CDs with your CD-RW drive.
     
     

Install your drive as master on the secondary IDE channel

You can help prevent CD creation errors by installing your CD-RW drive as master on the secondary IDE channel. Please use the following steps.

Warning: Before opening the case on your computer or before touching the internal components, always turn off the power and disconnect your computer's power cord from the electrical outlet. To discharge personal static electricity, touch a grounded metal object such as a metal screw attached to the cover of your computer. A screw that is attached to your computer's chassis is grounded. If you do not discharge personal static electricity, you risk damaging your hardware and possible loss of your data.

Note: If you have questions concerning the terms of your computer manufacturer's warranty or need further instructions on how to remove your computer's casing, please refer to the documentation that came with your computer or contact the manufacturer of your computer system.


1. Remove your computer's cover.
   
   
2. Locate the ribbon cable connected to the back of your CD-RW drive.
   
   
3. Follow the ribbon cable to where it connects to the IDE channel.
   
   

   Note: The connector where the ribbon cable meets the motherboard is the IDE channel.
   
   

4. Look on the motherboard for the words pri IDE (primary IDE channel) and sec IDE (secondary IDE channel) to identify which IDE channel your CD-RW drive is connected to.
   
   
5. Connect your CD-RW drive to the secondary IDE channel if it is not connected to that channel already.
   
   
6. Set the jumpers on the back of your CD-RW drive to master as shown in the illustration below.
   
   

Note: If your CD-ROM drive is connected to the secondary IDE channel, you will need to set the jumpers on your CD-ROM drive to slave. Follow the illustrations located on your CD-ROM drive to set the jumpers to slave. If there are no illustrations, please contact the CD-ROM drive manufacturer or refer to the documentation that came with the CD-ROM drive for information on how to set the jumpers.

Other possible causes of CD creation errors

Please use the following information to check your system for problems that may cause buffer underrun and track write errors.

Hard Disk


• Extremely fragmented hard drive.
  
  
• Not enough space in temporary directory (20MB or more recommended).
  
  
• Hard disk compression may cause CD creation failure. Iomega does not recommend writing from a compressed hard disk or disk partition.
  
  
• Old hard drives.
  
  
Other Hardware


• Spin down of CD-ROM drives, data or audio.
  
  Note: For information about preventing CD-ROM spin down, please refer to the documentation that came with the computer or contact the CD-ROM drive manufacturer.
  
  
• Slow source devices.
  
  
• Source devices that transfer data in bursts.
  
  
• Inability of your devices to sync properly.
  
  
• Overall system configuration.
  
  
• Computer is unable to allow fast enough data transfer.
  
  
Networks


• Recording across a network (a network may be too slow to maintain adequate throughput speed).
  
  
Files to Be Recorded


• Recording numerous small files.
  
  
• Damaged source files (data loss).
  
  
• Recording files in use by your system or other applications.
  
  
Other


• Copying from a CD that is scratched, dirty or damaged.
  
  
• Recorder malfunction.
  
  

Checks and preventative measures

• Defragment your hard drive at least once a week.
  
  
• Do not record across a network. Copy the desired files to your computer's hard drive.
  
  
• If the source hard drive is more than five years old, ensure that it does smart thermal re-calibration.
  
  Note: Contact your hard drive's manufacturer for more information.
  
  
• Record at a slower speed.
  
  
• Write audio at slower speeds, since writing audio requires streaming more bits per second to your CD-RW drive.
  
  
• Keep your CDs, recorder and source drives free of dust.
  
  
• Do not copy empty directories, zero byte files or files that may be in use by your system at the time of recording.
  
  
• If your data includes more than 10,000 very small files, create a disc image first or record at a slower speed.
  
  
• The computer's temporary directory should always have space free at least twice the size of the largest file you are recording.
  
  
• Your entire computer, from the motherboard bus to your CD-RW drive itself, needs to be configured properly for faster recording and the highest maximum sync transfer rate.