I/O Error with ImgBurn, Still After Trying Multiple Fixes

[NewbMuch]

When using ImgBurn, I continue to get these error messages. I have tried multiple suggestions posted on this platform, such as Perform OPC Before Write, setting Layer Break to User Specified 1913760, Buffer size 72, Main 25%, Device 50%. Im still getting these errors. If anyone can help me, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

[NewbMuch]

For more context, here is the full log of my issue:

I 19:29:37 ImgBurn Version 2.5.8.0 started!
I 19:29:37 Microsoft Windows 8 Professional x64 Edition (6.2, Build 9200)
I 19:29:37 Total Physical Memory: 4,097,104 KiB  -  Available: 477,476 KiB
I 19:29:37 Initialising SPTI...
I 19:29:37 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...
W 19:29:37 No devices detected!
W 19:30:13 Device Arrival Detected!
I 19:30:13 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...
I 19:30:13 -> Drive 1 - Info: Slimtype DVD A  DS8ACSH LC2M (F:) (USB 2.0)
I 19:30:13 Found 1 DVD±RW!
I 19:30:42 Operation Started!
I 19:30:42 Source File: C:\Users\Dylan Gaylord\Downloads\All PS2 Slims - English language.iso
I 19:30:42 Source File Sectors: 667 (MODE1/2048)
I 19:30:42 Source File Size: 1,366,016 bytes
I 19:30:42 Source File Volume Identifier: CDROM
I 19:30:42 Source File Volume Set Identifier: 5EFDB845000C86F8
I 19:30:42 Source File Application Identifier: MKISOFS ISO9660/HFS/UDF FILESYSTEM BUILDER & CDRECORD CD/DVD/BluRay CREATOR (C) 1993 E.YOUNGDALE (C) 1997 J.PEARSON/J.SCHILLING
I 19:30:42 Source File Implementation Identifier: mkisofs
I 19:30:42 Source File File System(s): ISO9660, UDF (1.02)
I 19:30:42 Destination Device: [0:0:0] Slimtype DVD A  DS8ACSH LC2M (F:) (USB)
I 19:30:42 Destination Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: CMC MAG. AM3)
I 19:30:42 Destination Media Supported Write Speeds: 3x, 4x, 6x, 8x
I 19:30:42 Destination Media Sectors: 2,297,888
I 19:30:42 Write Mode: DVD
I 19:30:42 Write Type: DAO
I 19:30:42 Write Speed: 2.4x
I 19:30:42 Link Size: Auto
I 19:30:42 Lock Volume: Yes
I 19:30:42 Test Mode: No
I 19:30:42 OPC: No
I 19:30:42 BURN-Proof: Enabled
W 19:30:43 Write Speed Miscompare! - Wanted: 3,324 KB/s (2.4x), Got: 4,155 KB/s (3x)
W 19:30:43 The drive only supports writing these discs at 3x, 4x, 6x, 8x.
I 19:30:43 Advanced Settings - Force HT: No, Online HT: No, OverSpeed: No, SmartBurn: Yes
I 19:30:44 Filling Buffer... (72 MiB)
I 19:30:44 Writing LeadIn...
W 19:30:52 Failed to Write Sectors 0 - 31 - Reason: The semaphore timeout period has expired.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (1 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (2 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Device Removal Detected!
W 19:30:52 The device list will be refreshed at the next available opportunity.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (3 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (4 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (5 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (6 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (7 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (8 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (9 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (10 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (11 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (12 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (13 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (14 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (15 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (16 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (17 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (18 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (19 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:52 Retrying (20 of 20)...
W 19:30:52 Retry Failed - Reason: The device is not connected.
E 19:30:54 Failed to Write Sectors 0 - 31 - Reason: The semaphore timeout period has expired.
I 19:30:54 Synchronising Cache...
W 19:30:54 Synchronise Cache Failed! - Reason: The device is not connected.
E 19:30:55 Synchronise Cache Failed! - Reason: The device is not connected.
W 19:30:56 User opted to skip the 'Close Track/Session/Disc' functions.
E 19:30:56 Failed to Write Image!
E 19:30:56 Operation Failed! - Duration: 00:00:14
I 19:30:56 Average Write Rate: N/A - Maximum Write Rate: N/A
E 19:31:02 CreateFile Failed! - Device: '\\?\usbstor#cdrom&ven_slimtype&prod_dvd_a__ds8acsh&rev_lc2m#343335383033353032313431&0#{53f56308-b6bf-11d0-94f2-00a0c91efb8b}'
E 19:31:02 Reason: The system cannot find the file specified.
I 19:31:02 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...
W 19:31:02 No devices detected!

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!

[dbminter]

A few things of note:

1.) don't use the cheap CMC MAG discs.  They are the worst out there and cause 50% of the problems here.  Try Verbatim DataLife Plus/AZO.  Do NOT get the Life Series Verbatim you find in brick and mortar stores.  They will be CMC.  Although, I don't THINK this will solve your problem, a.) it might and b.) you should avoid the CMC junk to begin with.

2.) your drive is a slim model burner.  Slim models are generally junk.  Try getting a half height drive and putting it in a USB enclosure.

3.) the semaphore timeout issue is generally a problem with the USB bridge in your USB drive conflicting with the USB controller on your PC's motherboard.  This is what I think is generally causing your problems.  Particularly the issue about the drive not being connected.  The only solution is to replace the USB burner, replace the USB bridge in the USB burner, or replace the USB controller on your mobo.  It's generally easier just to replace entire USB burner than try the other options.  Cheaper, too.

[NewbMuch]

Thank you for your response, @dbminter! I am using Verbatim DVD-R disks from BestBuy. I was curious if it I would have better luck with a different external DVD drive. I will try a non-slim version. Thanks for your support. Any other suggestions/knowledge that other folks have to add is greatly appreciated!

[LIGHTNING UK!]

I will just point out that the suggestions you tried prior to posting are all nonsense. Don’t believe the Internet.
Reset to default settings and continue with dbminters advise.
There’s a pinned thread for semaphore timeout issues.

[dbminter]

Those Verbatim discs you got from Best Buy were the Life Series CMC junk.  I forgot to mention you can't find the good Verbatim in brick and mortar stores; you can only find them online.  Officedepot.com and Amazon.com have them.

[NewbMuch]

Hey @LIGHTNING UK!, I must apologize for my incompetence; I searched "semaphore timeout issues" but wasn't able to find the pinned thread you speak of. Would you be able to link it here for me?

[NewbMuch]

Question for you @dbminter, does it make a difference between the orange vs the purple label Verbatim disks? For reference, these are the ones I purchased. https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/verbatim-4-7gb-16x-dvd-r-disc-spindle-25-pack/12063018 . I have seen identical ones on Amazon, but also have seen the purple label ones for a good cost there too. If I purchase those, do you think it will change my experience?

[dbminter]

Those orange ones in the link you posted say Life Series on them, so, yes, they're the CMC junk.  You'd have to provide a link to these purple ones you described as I don't know what that necessarily means.  As long as it doesn't say Life Series on it and says DataLife Plus or AZO, you're fine.

 

It will definitely change your experience.  You'll have fewer chances for failures if you switch away from CMC.  However, with semaphore timeout issues and the like, better media most likely won't help in a case like that.  It MAY as the bad media may be causing semaphore timeout issues attempting to burn, but I can't say for certain switching to the good media will help.  You'll be better off in the long run, though, with better quality media.  They'll last longer than CMC media and have a better chance of playing with other drives and standalone players.

 

I'd recommend giving the better media a shot, at least.  If it does solve the semaphore timeout issue, getting better quality media is definitely a cheaper solution than getting a whole other drive, which may also have a semaphore timeout problem.  And, in the long run, you're better off using the higher quality media, over all.

[NewbMuch]

Also @dbminter, if an external DVD drive does not say "slim" is it safe to say it is a half height drive, like you recommend? I never knew what a usb enclosure was, but now I do and that could prove to be very helpful! Any usb enclosure will work? 

Thank you very much for the helpful guidance, both of you! It is much appreciated.

[NewbMuch]

These say AZO, so I guess I would be better off using these: https://www.amazon.ca/DVD-R-16X-4-7GB-Branded/dp/B0006L2HTU/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=verbatim+dvd&qid=1618154796&sr=8-13

Edited April 11, 2021 by NewbMuch

[NewbMuch]

I am looking at this usb enclosure: https://www.amazon.ca/Sabrent-Tool-free-Enclosure-Optimized-EC-UASP/dp/B00OJ3UJ2S/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=usb+enclosure&qid=1618155055&sr=8-2 .

Hoping to not put any more money into products that are useless to me, haha.

I'll have to look further into the semaphore timeout issue.

[dbminter]

I've actually only ever bought one slim model drive that did not come new with a PC.  It was a USB model sold by Verbatim and it did not say it was slim on the box.  You can tell a slim model because they're slim.    Slim model drives are about 2.625 inches thick; though they're called half height drives, they actually take put a "full" size bay in a PC case.  Half height models are 5.25" thick.  I've only ever used this USB model for reading, with a few write tests.  So, I can't say how well that drive I got at Office Depot might do for writing as I haven't performed enough or long term tests.

 

I've never actually bought a USB 2.x enclosure.  All enclosures I've had were 3.0, necessary for the BD burners I was putting in them.  You'll get by cheaper with a USB 2.x enclosure versus a 3.0, though, so if you don't necessarily need 3.0 for a 3.0 device, you can get by with a 2.x.  However, since I've never actually bought a 2.x enclosure, I can't recommend X won't give you grief.  Because the problem lies with the ALI USB bridge in the external drive and the USB controller on your motherboard.  Without knowing the make/model of both in the devices you have or want to try, I can't guarantee anything will work.

 

Those purple Verbatim do say AZO so they are the better quality media.  However, those are DVD+R and the ones you were using were DVD-R.  If that doesn't matter to you, then it doesn't make too much difference.  DVD-R has better compatibility with older DVD players and playback devices and are slightly larger.  DVD+R has a shorter WriteIn lead time, so the burning is a bit faster.  I prefer DVD-R for its better compatibility and slightly larger size.

 

Sabrent makes good stuff.  They made the USB 2.x and 3.0 external HDD connections I've used in the past.  I still have the 3.0 one just in case I ever need to access a spare mechanical HDD I have.  Again, though, I've never used a USB 2.x enclosure or one from Sabrent.

 

The USB 3.0 enclosures I've used in the past are from Other World Computing and VanTech; each have their own problems.  The OWC one is easier to put drives in and out of, but, on 3 Dell's I've used them on, they have a major flaw.  If the drive ever errors out or you power it off, after it's been powered back on, Windows will fail to recognize the drive is connected until Windows is restarted.  The problems with VanTech's enclosure is they're a bit more difficult to swap drives into and out of.  Plus, they're Chinese made, so the quality is iffy.  The first one I received was utter junk.  The 2nd one I tried was great.  The 3rd one was slightly off balance.  Not enough to affect reading or writing. but when you put discs in the tray with the enclosure on its side, it wobbles a bit.  So, it's up to you what you want to go for.  You could try a USB 3.0 if you're willing to pay for something you don't really need, but it will work with USB 2.x cables and connections.  I've only ever put Blu-Ray burners in these USB 3.0 enclosures so I can't say how well they work for DVD burners.

[dbminter]

BTW, that Sabrent link was for hard drive enclosures.  It's for hard drives and probably won't fit an external slim model optical drive.

[LIGHTNING UK!]

6 hours ago, NewbMuch said:

Hey @LIGHTNING UK!, I must apologize for my incompetence; I searched "semaphore timeout issues" but wasn't able to find the pinned thread you speak of. Would you be able to link it here for me?

Oops, my bad! That pinned thread was on the old forum (from the DVD Decrypter days). I'm afraid it isn't available here.

[dbminter]

If you see the Search field in the upper right corner of the board, you'll see a magnifying glass; click on it and choose More Options, choose Content titles only under Find results in.  Then do a search for the word semaphore.  There are 2 pages of topics that have semaphore in their Titles.  This will help narrow down the search.  However, I haven't actually looked at the results, so there may not be much useful info there.

 

There are probably things like try changing your USB cable or use a different USB port, which you're welcome to try, but most likely won't fix the issue.  The underlying cause is a hardware one: a conflict between the ALI USB bridge in the USB burner and the USB controller on the motherboard in your PC.  The only solution that has ever worked for me was to get a new burner.