HP CD-burner: when it starts, computer reboots. Help?

[Arschloch]

Hello all.

First I'll preface this message by saying that this is not my computer, but rather a friend's. In other words, I don't have his specs, or even the correct model of CD-burner. But I'm posting this in the faint hope that someone else may have experienced something similar to this.

Anyway, all my friend told me was that it's an "older Hewlett-Packard CD burner", and that his computer functions fine... until he tries to burn something. As soon as the burner starts recording to a CD, the computer immediately reboots.

My kneejerk reaction is that this may be a power supply issue, but I really have no idea. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions of things to try?

Thanks.
-Arschloch

 

[Arschloch]

Oh, one more piece of information: It is an -external- HP CD burner.

 

[thatmaguy]

Computer rebooting might be attributed to insufficient power. CD-RW are notorious for power drainage and it would make sense to see a computer restart when the burner is trying to read/write (i.e using the most energy it can)

I would replace the power supply.

regards,
peter

 

[Arschloch]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll suggest that to him.

I'll see if I can pry some more information out of him about his computer and the drive itself.

Anyone else have any more suggestions?

Thanks.
-Arschloch

 

[Tauren]

It does sound like a power drain. If the computer case is older or cheap it will only have a 200w PS, it should have 300w if you start adding peripherals.

 

[AtaStrumf]

There is One other possibility:
If he has DMA checked for his CD-RW in device manager/properties he can try unchecking it and vice versa if it is unchecked he should try checking it.
If that doesn't work try the same with CD-ROM.
That fixed my lock ups and reboots. Sure is simpler than getting a new PSU, so try that before parting with any cash.

 

[SemperFi]

I was going to go with power supply until you said external burner. Doesn't the external burner plug into wall instead of the computer power supply?

 

[Arschloch]

SemperFi, you are correct.

I did not realize this until I talked with him later on today. Yes, the burner does plug directly into an outlet on the wall. Wouldn't this remove the possibility of it being a power supply issue?

I'll check with him on the DMA issue.

Any more ideas?

-Arschloch

 

[Arschloch]

*bump*

Any more ideas / help?

 

[AtaStrumf]

You might wonna try instalng a new ASPI layer with ForceASPI program downloadable from

http://apachez.yi.org/

The author was forced to remove from his site

http://www.flexion.org

by adaptec, but you will get the necessary instructions there on how to use it. It's very simple, but I strongly seggest you read it though.

aspichk is a program that will check you version of ASPI Layer you are using, so you can see if the upgrade was succesful. Run it before and after Upgrading to see the difference! I belive you can download it from
www.flexion.org or adaptecs website, maybe even apachezs.

The original WINDOWS ASPI Layer isn't too good so its a good idea to upgrade it.
This solved quite a few problems with CD-RWs, CD-ROMs, DVDs. Definately worth a try!