My Nero RSS Feed - Latest blog entries

How to restore the Disc-Copy Gadget

MyNeroUserWithNickname@nero.com () — 18 Jan 2008 19:00:08 GMT

How to restore the Disc-Copy Gadget

Disccopy is a vista-gadget and can be uninstalled like any gadget can be. To get it back re-run your nero installer. Pick Custom install, then scroll down to the special features area and locate disccopy. make sure its checked. You can uncheck-recheck it again if you like to be sure nero installs it.

NERO-8 GADGET

MyNeroUserWithNickname@nero.com () — 26 Oct 2007 20:58:57 GMT

A user recently asked me about Nero's disc-copy gadget in NERO-8.

The user could not find it. I was worried at 1st too but I found it.

Just like last time this feature is hidden under CUSTOM installation..

Run the installer, Pick Custom, open the special features or Tools in the list and make sure you've enabled DISC-COPY.

Note: You must have VISTA to get the gadget.

-Mr Chuck

Want to know who actually made the media you're using? Find out with Nero.

MyNeroUserWithNickname@nero.com () — 02 Aug 2007 03:05:02 GMT

Just like other businesses - companies who sell media usually outsource it to different manufacturers. It might say Fuji on the label for example but that doesn't mean they actually made it.

To find out who did use Nero. In SmartStart click on 'Tools' (ToolKit in Nero 6) then CD-DVD Speed.

Now click on the 'Disc Info' tab. This will give the actual manufacturer and what speeds your drive supports with this media. In this pic the actual brand name is also who manufactured it - Sony - one of the few brands that actually make most of their own media.

CD/DVD Burn Failures? Here's some things to check.

MyNeroUserWithNickname@nero.com () — 11 May 2007 00:35:10 GMT

Having burn failures and can't figure it out? Here's some things to check.

Firmware up to date on the drive? Check and see if it is.

In Nero open SmartStart and go to Tools (ToolKit in Nero 6) then InfoTool. Pick the drive in the drop down. In the drive tab there's a field for the current version.

Where do you see if there's a later version?

Check the manufacturer of the drives website - usually under support.
If the drive came with the pc then check the pc manufacturers site for an update.
You can also check the firmware page - forum.rpc1.org/dl_search.php

What's firmware you ask?

Firmware is the instructions for the drive - think of it as a sort of operating system.
One important thing firmware does is give the drive the media codes for it to have the right read and write strategies.
If the media code for the manufacturer of the disc you are using is not in the firmware then the drive will use a generic write pattern. Doesn't always mean a failure but can.

What brand of media are you using?

Not all media is created equal :) And not all is compatible with all drives even if you have the latest firmware.
Check the drive manufacturer's site for what brand of media is recommended.
Different media may just do the trick!

Even if the media worked before a new spindle may not. That's because the 'brand' name outsources to a manufacturer. Example Memorex DVD's can be made by Ricoh Japan, CMC, Ritek, Fuji, Prodisc, Moser Baer, MCC and several more.

Good ones that are usually listed for most drives are Verbatim and Taiyo Yuden - my personal fav's.

Verbatim's are made by MCC the majority of the time. Taiyo Yuden is the actual manufacturer and can usually be found instore under the name of Sony, Fuji, Maxell etc but look for made in Japan. Or they can usually be found on reputable online stores.

CDs now are more widely supported by cd/dvd drives. They've been around much longer than DVDs.

How about the burn speed?

Try burning at half the rated speed of the media. Like 16x at 8x. Just because the media says it can be burned at 16x doesn't mean that that's the optimal burn speed.

All your drives in DMA Mode and not the slow PIO mode?

You can check this is device manager. Right click on my computer>properties>hardware tab>device manager.
Click the + next to IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers.

Right click on the each ide channel (one at a time to check) and go to properties>advanced settings.

Both current transfer and transfer mode should have DMA listed.
If one of the devices shows Transfer Mode - Not Applicable - that's ok - just means no drive is connected to this channel.

Now if one or more shows in PIO right click on that ide channel and pick uninstall. Reboot and let Windows do it's thing and reinstall the ide channel. Drives should now be in DMA mode.

Program you're using to burn up to date?

Most CD/DVD burning programs are pretty stable and do a good job - esp. Nero :) but there may be a bug with the program and your pc setup that an update will fix. So keep your programs current.

Well that's about it - just some basics. Feel free to add what I might have missed!

Nero Gadget

MyNeroUserWithNickname@nero.com () — 06 Apr 2007 17:21:46 GMT

I have encoutered an error after upgrading to Nero 7.8.5.0 in Nero Disc Copy Vista

Gadget:

1 - Critical error

2- COM Server not found

Could someone help me?