Disk won't finalize

brettski · December 9, 2006

I only use Verbatim DVD+R DL disks and burn at 2x speed. I have no problem burning ISO/MDS using Nero or DVD Decrypter and have burned approximately 20 double layer disks with them without burning one coaster, but thought I would give ImgBurn another try with the latest version. I had heard that ImgBurn was highly recommended for a smooth double layer transition. However, as with the previous version, I have never had a disk "finalize" using ImgBurn. I get a "No Seek Complete" Error on every disk I try to burn (just wasted another 2 DL disks; also 2 Verbatim DVD-R disks with a previous version of ImgBurn). Yet as soon as I burn the same file with DVD Decrypter (or Nero) I get a good burn. I am happy using DVD Decrypter, but any idea why ImgBurn won't finalize a disk? My burner is a NEC ND-3540A. Thanks.

**Shamus_McFartfinger** · December 9, 2006

Honestly, a log file would help us alot. Without it we'd only be guessing.

**LIGHTNING UK!** · December 9, 2006

DVD Decrypter doesn't see / capture errors during the 'sync cache' or 'closing track / session / disc' stages. That feature is new to ImgBurn.

All those processes are performed by the drive, the software simply initiates them - and it must have done that ok or you'd never get to the stage where it fails.

So basically I think the problem has always been there, you've just never been told about it - and hence assumed everything was ok.

brettski · December 9, 2006

DVD Decrypter doesn't see / capture errors during the 'sync cache' or 'closing track / session / disc' stages. That feature is new to ImgBurn.

All those processes are performed by the drive, the software simply initiates them - and it must have done that ok or you'd never get to the stage where it fails.

So basically I think the problem has always been there, you've just never been told about it - and hence assumed everything was ok.

But wouldn't Nero "capture" those errors and also fail at the same point of finalizing the disk?

I'm not sure if I want to reinstall ImgBurn only to have another DL fail so I can send in the log (DL disks aren't cheap; maybe I will try a burn with a DVD-R disk and hopefully it will fail to finalize, and I will post that log.

**LIGHTNING UK!** · December 9, 2006

I honestly can't say. Nero might not look for errors during those functions either.

I've never been in the situation where my burns consistently fail and I can check such things.

You can always finalise manually so don't worry about it too much. ImgBurn also saves the logs by default now so you may already have them saved somewhere. Normally you just click 'Help' -> 'ImgBurn logs'.

brettski · December 9, 2006

First, thank you for your help. I didn't save the logs, because when I uninstalled ImgBurn, my uninstaller also uninstalls all files associated with the program. However I just reinstalled the program and burned an iso successfuly to a Verbatim DVD-R, but I can't see in the log where the disk was finalized.

This is the log of the successful burn - the DVD plays on my DVD Players.

13:08:54 ImgBurn Version 2.1.0.0 started!

I 13:08:54 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition (5.1, Build 2600 : Service Pack 2)

W 13:08:54 Drive D:\ (FAT32) does not support single files > 4 GB

I 13:08:55 Initialising SPTI...

I 13:08:55 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...

I 13:08:55 Found 1 DVD-ROM and 1 DVD?RW!

I 13:11:03 Operation Started!

I 13:11:03 Source File: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner.STEVE\Desktop\RedHotcd1.iso

I 13:11:03 Source File Sectors: 1,472,891 (MODE1/2048)

I 13:11:03 Source File Size: 3,016,480,768 bytes

I 13:11:03 Source File Application Identifier: MKISOFS ISO 9660/HFS FILESYSTEM BUILDER & CDRECORD CD-R/DVD CREATOR ? 1993 E.YOUNGDALE ? 1997 J.PEARSON/J.SCHILLING

I 13:11:03 Source File Implementation Identifier: mkisofs

I 13:11:03 Source File File System(s): ISO9660, UDF (1.02)

I 13:11:03 Destination Device: [0:0:0] _NEC DVD_RW ND-3540A 1.01 (E:) (ATA)

I 13:11:03 Destination Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: MCC 03RG20) (Speeds: 2x, 4x, 6x, 8x, 12x, 16x)

I 13:11:03 Destination Media Sectors: 2,298,496

I 13:11:03 Write Mode: DVD

I 13:11:03 Write Type: DAO

I 13:11:03 Write Speed: MAX

I 13:11:03 Link Size: Auto

I 13:11:03 Test Mode: Yes

I 13:11:03 BURN-Proof: Enabled

I 13:11:04 Filling Buffer...

I 13:11:04 Writing LeadIn...

I 13:11:22 Writing Image...

I 13:15:02 Synchronising Cache...

I 13:15:20 Cycling Tray after Test Write...

I 13:15:36 Image MD5: 8f141cdc9b26e8ae11175e98d6f097d8

I 13:15:37 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:04:33

I 13:15:37 Average Write Rate: 13,451 KB/s (9.7x) - Maximum Write Rate: 18,510 KB/s (13.4x)

I 13:16:11 Operation Started!

I 13:16:11 Source File: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner.STEVE\Desktop\RedHotcd1.iso

I 13:16:11 Source File Sectors: 1,472,891 (MODE1/2048)

I 13:16:11 Source File Size: 3,016,480,768 bytes

I 13:16:11 Source File Application Identifier: MKISOFS ISO 9660/HFS FILESYSTEM BUILDER & CDRECORD CD-R/DVD CREATOR ? 1993 E.YOUNGDALE ? 1997 J.PEARSON/J.SCHILLING

I 13:16:11 Source File Implementation Identifier: mkisofs

I 13:16:11 Source File File System(s): ISO9660, UDF (1.02)

I 13:16:11 Destination Device: [0:0:0] _NEC DVD_RW ND-3540A 1.01 (E:) (ATA)

I 13:16:11 Destination Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: MCC 03RG20) (Speeds: 2x, 4x, 6x, 8x, 12x, 16x)

I 13:16:11 Destination Media Sectors: 2,298,496

I 13:16:11 Write Mode: DVD

I 13:16:11 Write Type: DAO

I 13:16:11 Write Speed: 4x

I 13:16:11 Link Size: Auto

I 13:16:11 Test Mode: No

I 13:16:11 BURN-Proof: Enabled

I 13:16:11 Filling Buffer...

I 13:16:11 Writing LeadIn...

I 13:16:49 Writing Image...

I 13:25:45 Synchronising Cache...

I 13:26:12 Image MD5: 8f141cdc9b26e8ae11175e98d6f097d8

I 13:26:12 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:10:00

I 13:26:12 Average Write Rate: 5,506 KB/s (4.0x) - Maximum Write Rate: 5,960 KB/s (4.3x)

I 13:34:32 Close Request Acknowledged

I 13:34:32 Closing Down...

I 13:34:32 Shutting down SPTI...

I 13:34:33 ImgBurn closed!

Does this tell you anything? Can I do a "Test" run using a DL and get the same log I would get from a "real" burn?

P.S. How would I "finalise manually"? EDIT: I just did a "google" search and found an answer you had previously given to the same question: ie: Tools > Drive > Close Track/Session/Disc.

So would that work when I kept getting the "Error" message which asked me to try again, but kept failing to finalise. If I went to "Tools" etc, would the manual method "force" a finalise operation?

Edited December 9, 2006 by brettski

**LIGHTNING UK!** · December 9, 2006

The commands issued as part of the burn are the same ones that get issued when you do it manually.

If you've already hit 'Retry' a few times during the burn, chances are the manual ones will fail too.

However, the drive might decide to behave itself a little better if you eject the disc, leave it a while and then try again.

Basically, if the disc shows up as 'Status: Complete' in the info panel on the right, you've probably got nothing to worry about because it HAS managed to close/finalise it enough.

No you can't do a test on DVD+R DL media, test mode is only supported on -R media (this is NOT an ImgBurn limitation, it's just how the +R and -R specs work).

DVD-R format media doesn't need a specific 'finalise disc' command to be sent, it's done automatically when you issue the 'Synchronise Cache' command.

Only +R media needs track / session / disc closing commands to be issued.

One thing I will point out though is that you're still using the v1.01 firmware.

v1.04 is available now and will no doubt improve media compatibility.

http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=2109

Firmware updates are the first thing you should check for when you're having problems.

brettski · December 10, 2006

I realize my firmware is outdated, but because I don't consider myself "advanced" as the firmware update page (and NEC) warns about, I have decided previously not to update. Especially since I have no problem burning, using Nero or DVD Decrypter for DVDs or JetAudio for cds. ImgBurn works fine for regular DVD-R, just doesn't want to finalise a DVD+R DL. This is the first frustration I have come into when it comes to burning. And I have burned well over 200 DVDs.

I just tried another mds/iso that I made of "Saving Private Ryan" and once again it would not finalise. I tried manually with no success, but when I tried to finalise manually the program froze and I could not even close it with the Task Manager. I had to reboot the computer and when I checked for the log of the DVD-DL burn, it wasn't there. I tried to put the dvd back into the burner and close again manually but nothing happened. The dvd will play in PowerDVD, but will not play in my OPPO or Pioneer DVD players. I guess I will just stick to DVD Decrypter when burning double layer. I used the same mds/iso and burned a perfect copy of "Saving Private Ryan" using it. When something works, I guess I should have been satisfied with the approx. 1 second freeze between layer breaks. Seems we are always trying to find something better

P.S. - any idea why IMGBurn does not finalise a regular DVD-R during the burn, but wants to finalise a DVD+R DL? Because the log I posted above for a Verbatim DVD-R does not mention the finalise step, yet the log I saw for the Verbatim DVD+R DL mentioned finalise. It also said something like: completed successfully after I cancelled the retry finalise. I only wish the program had not froze so I could have posted the log.

Edited December 10, 2006 by brettski

**Shamus_McFartfinger** · December 10, 2006

I realize my firmware is outdated, but because I don't consider myself "advanced" as the firmware update page (and NEC) warns about,

Ignore it. You can blame societys' love of litigation for this. Flashing your drive (a firmware upgrade) is an admission by the vendor that there's a problem with the drives' internal software. Sure, you can kill your drive if the upgrade goes pear-shaped but a firmware update might also fix your problem. We flash drives all the time to fix those problems and there's a few things you can do to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Remove any disks in the drives and shut down any unnecessary software. Once you start flashing your drive, don't touch anything like the keyboard or mouse. Flashing can take as little as 20 seconds or as long as a few minutes. Let it do what it has to do in peace and reboot when it says you can.

**LIGHTNING UK!** · December 10, 2006

For those manual closes, it's supposed to freeze. The commands aren't issued in a thread and so it ties up the GUI one - meaning the GUI won't respond. Just leave it!

The program will 'un-freeze' control when the drive returns control to it - i.e. when it has finished doing what it was asked to do.

P.S. - any idea why IMGBurn does not finalise a regular DVD-R during the burn, but wants to finalise a DVD+R DL? Because the log I posted above for a Verbatim DVD-R does not mention the finalise step, yet the log I saw for the Verbatim DVD+R DL mentioned finalise. It also said something like: completed successfully after I cancelled the retry finalise. I only wish the program had not froze so I could have posted the log.

I already answered that in my previous post.

See below

DVD-R format media doesn't need a specific 'finalise disc' command to be sent, it's done automatically when you issue the 'Synchronise Cache' command.
Only +R media needs track / session / disc closing commands to be issued.

It also said something like: completed successfully after I cancelled the retry finalise. I only wish the program had not froze so I could have posted the log.

ImgBurn didn't see a failure on the sync cache/finalisation commands as an overall 'failure'. That's why it still says it was successful - this has been changed for the next release of ImgBurn.

As I said before, I VERY much doubt your DVD Decrypter burns are any different to the ImgBurn ones. ImgBurn is just telling you it failed where DVD Decrypter just plays dumb and the error goes unnoticed.

Do your ImgBurn burns NOT verify or something? Ignore that finalisation failed, just try it and see if it is actually working. Again, if you look at the info panel on the right within ImgBurn, what does it say for a DL disc you've just burnt that wouldn't finalise?

What does that same info panel say on a disc done with DVD Dec?

Changing the subject.... As shamus said, ignore the warning on the NEC page and just update the firmware.

brettski · December 11, 2006

Thanks for all the replies - you gave me the "courage" to update the firmware for my burner to version 1.04. I did it using "Binflash" and it went smoothly. I will give ImgBurn another chance, the next time I burn a double layer dvd. I will let you know how it goes.

**polopony** · December 11, 2006

NEC also supplies a flash tool when you download the FW works great ,updating the FW clears up a lot of issues

brettski · December 14, 2006

After updating my firmware I gave ImgBurn another try on a double layer dvd (Verbatim 2.4x DVD+R DL) and I received the exact same I/O error that "belugatap" describes in his post. So I traded a friend for a Fujifilm 2.4x DVD+R DL and the same MDS file burned and finalized with no problem - excellent layer break I might add. So I thought I would try one more time with a Verbatim and using the same MDS file I once again received the I/O error. Maybe ImgBurn, Verbatim and my NEC burner aren't compatible. But I have no problem burning the Verbatims using the MDS' image file and Nero. Very strange?

Edited December 14, 2006 by brettski

**lfcrule1972** · December 14, 2006

I have owned several NEC drives and have used them to burn DL layer discs, in all cases I have not seen the same problem as you are having, either with DVDD or ImgBurn.

**spinningwheel** · December 15, 2006

Can you please post a logfile from the bad burn? There is a lot of info in there and playing 20 questions is really a pain in the rear-end.

brettski · December 18, 2006

Here is the Fuji burn log:

18:52:53 ImgBurn Version 2.1.0.0 started!

I 18:52:53 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition (5.1, Build 2600 : Service Pack 2)

W 18:52:53 Drive D:\ (FAT32) does not support single files > 4 GB

I 18:52:53 Initialising SPTI...

I 18:52:53 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...

I 18:52:53 Found 1 DVD-ROM and 1 DVD?RW!

I 18:59:02 Operation Started!

I 18:59:02 Source File: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner.STEVE\My Documents\RIPS\DvdDecrypter\WORLD_TRADE_CENTER_WS_DISC1.MDS

I 18:59:02 Source File Sectors: 4,094,480 (MODE1/2048)

I 18:59:02 Source File Size: 8,385,495,040 bytes

I 18:59:02 Source File Volume Identifier: WORLD_TRADE_CENTER_WS_DISC1

I 18:59:02 Source File Implementation Identifier: MEI

I 18:59:02 Source File File System(s): ISO9660, UDF (1.02)

I 18:59:02 Destination Device: [0:0:0] _NEC DVD_RW ND-3540A 1.04 (E:) (ATA)

I 18:59:02 Destination Media Type: DVD+R DL (Disc ID: RITEK-D01-01) (Speeds: 2.4x)

I 18:59:02 Destination Media Sectors: 4,173,824

I 18:59:02 Write Mode: DVD

I 18:59:02 Write Type: DAO

I 18:59:02 Write Speed: 2.4x

I 18:59:02 Link Size: Auto

I 18:59:02 Test Mode: No

I 18:59:02 BURN-Proof: Enabled

I 18:59:02 Optimal L0 Data Zone Capacity: 2,047,248

I 18:59:02 Optimal L0 Data Zone Method: Copied From Original Disc

I 18:59:24 Filling Buffer...

I 18:59:25 Writing LeadIn...

I 18:59:26 Writing Image...

I 18:59:26 Writing Layer 0... (LBA: 0 - 2047247)

I 19:19:56 Writing Layer 1... (LBA: 2047248 - 4094479)

I 19:40:57 Synchronising Cache...

I 19:40:58 Closing Track...

I 19:41:15 Finalising Disc...

I 19:42:21 Image MD5: 13ff191ca113369182bb5744d242ca91

I 19:42:21 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:43:18

I 19:42:21 Average Write Rate: 3,288 KB/s (2.4x) - Maximum Write Rate: 3,649 KB/s (2.6x)

I 19:43:49 Close Request Acknowledged

I 19:43:49 Closing Down...

I 19:43:49 Shutting down SPTI...

I 19:43:49 ImgBurn closed!

And this is the Verbatim burn log:

19:44:04 ImgBurn Version 2.1.0.0 started!

I 19:44:04 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition (5.1, Build 2600 : Service Pack 2)

W 19:44:04 Drive D:\ (FAT32) does not support single files > 4 GB

I 19:44:04 Initialising SPTI...

I 19:44:04 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...

I 19:44:04 Found 1 DVD-ROM and 1 DVD?RW!

I 19:52:12 Operation Started!

I 19:52:12 Source File: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner.STEVE\My Documents\RIPS\DvdDecrypter\WORLD_TRADE_CENTER_WS_DISC1.MDS

I 19:52:12 Source File Sectors: 4,094,480 (MODE1/2048)

I 19:52:12 Source File Size: 8,385,495,040 bytes

I 19:52:12 Source File Volume Identifier: WORLD_TRADE_CENTER_WS_DISC1

I 19:52:12 Source File Implementation Identifier: MEI

I 19:52:12 Source File File System(s): ISO9660, UDF (1.02)

I 19:52:12 Destination Device: [0:0:0] _NEC DVD_RW ND-3540A 1.04 (E:) (ATA)

I 19:52:12 Destination Media Type: DVD+R DL (Disc ID: MKM-001-00) (Speeds: 2.4x, 4x, 6x, 8x)

I 19:52:12 Destination Media Sectors: 4,173,824

I 19:52:12 Write Mode: DVD

I 19:52:12 Write Type: DAO

I 19:52:12 Write Speed: 2.4x

I 19:52:12 Link Size: Auto

I 19:52:12 Test Mode: No

I 19:52:12 BURN-Proof: Enabled

I 19:52:12 Optimal L0 Data Zone Capacity: 2,047,248

I 19:52:12 Optimal L0 Data Zone Method: Copied From Original Disc

I 19:52:34 Filling Buffer...

I 19:52:34 Writing LeadIn...

I 19:52:36 Writing Image...

I 19:52:36 Writing Layer 0... (LBA: 0 - 2047247)

W 20:13:03 Failed to Write Sectors 2041568 - 2041599 - Write Error

W 20:13:03 Retrying (1 of 20)...

W 20:13:03 Retry Failed - Write Error

W 20:13:03 Retrying (2 of 20)...