Member Avatar for av_3000

Hi. I'm running an Athlon 2400+ with 512 DDR ram with Windows XP Pro. However, I've noticed that whenever I begin to burn a CD, or simulate a burning, my CPU usage shoots up to 100%. As you can imagine, my computer becomes pretty much unusable when this happens so I have to let it burn and not use my PC for a while.

I previously had Windows 2000 Professional which had the same problem, so I doubt it's an operating system fault.

My CD writer is a Lite-On something or other, 52x24x52. I'm not sure if it's a hardware problem or a known Nero 6 problem. If it's not a common Nero 6 problem, may be some sort of imcompatibility issue?

I can provide any further information if needed, like a report from HijackThis etc. I've cleaned my computer for any spyware (spybot) and have also maintained virus checking with Norton AV 2004. Furthermore, my computer doesn't currently have access to the internet so I'm not likely to get any cookies or the like from anywhere!

If anyone can help, it'd be much appreciated.

Thanks

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by rasputinj

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Short expert summary tied to the thread: the symptom reported by (nero.exe jumping to ~90–100% and making the system unusable) usually points to an I/O or driver/packet‑writing conflict rather than a bad CPU. was correct to verify Task Manager; correctly suspected DMA; gave the common Device Manager path. Below is a concise, practical diagnostic/fix checklist that fills gaps left by earlier replies (covers the grayed‑out BIOS option and cases where DMA already appears "on").

  1. Confirm the actual transfer mode (not just the setting): open Device Manager -> IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers -> Primary/Secondary IDE Channel -> Properties -> Advanced Settings and read the "Current Transfer Mode" value. “PIO” or “PIO Mode” there means Windows has fallen back even if the setting says DMA.
  2. Reset Windows’ DMA state: uninstall the affected IDE channel (or uninstall the optical drive under DVD/CD‑ROM drives) in Device Manager and reboot so Windows reinstalls drivers — this commonly restores DMA when the UI is locked or PIO was forced.
  3. Check hardware: ensure an 80‑conductor (80‑wire) IDE cable is used and the optical drive is on the cable end connector; verify jumpers (master/slave) or put the drive on its own channel where possible. Replace the cable if uncertain.
  4. Eliminate software conflicts: temporarily disable packet‑writing utilities (InCD/DirectCD/etc.) and real‑time AV, update Nero and the drive firmware, and try a different burner app or a lower burn speed to isolate whether Nero itself is responsible. Buffer underrun protection should be enabled.
  5. If the above fails: update motherboard chipset drivers (and only consider a BIOS update per the vendor’s instructions as a last resort), or test the drive on another machine to separate drive vs. system issues.

These steps address both the Windows/IDE fallbacks that make burning CPU‑heavy and the software/driver interactions that and others hinted at.

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All 11 Replies

Member Avatar for Tekmaven

Very weird. Next time you burn, have task manager open to processes view, sorted by CPU usage, and report back telling us which app is causing the problems.

Member Avatar for av_3000

I've checked that out, it says "nero" and nothing else. It's usually taking up about 90% or so. If I have anything else open such as BSPlayer, that'll suddenly go from 1/2% up to 30/40% with Nero balancing out the rest of the 100. BSPlayer will fluctuate but Nero will always balance it out taking the usage to 100. When only Nero Startsmart is open, it's fine. It's when I begin to burn that nero.exe slows me down terribly.

I agree - very weird!

Member Avatar for TallCool1

Hi. I'm running an Athlon 2400+ with 512 DDR ram with Windows XP Pro. However, I've noticed that whenever I begin to burn a CD, or simulate a burning, my CPU usage shoots up to 100%. As you can imagine, my computer becomes pretty much unusable when this happens so I have to let it burn and not use my PC for a while.

That's a classic symptom of the DMA settings being incorrect. Under NT 5.x. it's automatic -- but the fact that the problem happened under Win 2000 and XP indicates that a BIOS setting may be at fault.

It's usually under Integrated Peripherals. Make sure it's set to DMA or Auto, not PIO. This would not show as an error or appear on the process list, but would swamp the CPU while burning, and during some reads.

Member Avatar for av_3000

It's usually under Integrated Peripherals.

How do I get to the settings for integrated peripherals in order to change its settings? Through the bios?

Member Avatar for Dani

Yes, I would assume so.

Member Avatar for av_3000

I've checked out the Bios and there's only one thing about DMA, and that's DMA Port. However, that's shaded out, and is set to N/A. It's underneath Parallel Port settings and is not able to be changed.

Couldn't find anywhere else where it mentioned anything about DMA. This was under the integrated peripherals part.

Any other suggestions?

Member Avatar for av_3000

Any other ideas please?

Member Avatar for Richard Mcgee

This is my first visit to this forum (or any forum come to think of it!!). I need similar help please. I am trying to use the latest version of nero on XP Prof. I am using a (Emprex) BTC DVD IDE1008 and have no problems backing up my hard drive but when I use Nero for burning DVD's, editing movies etc I seem to get problems with my CPU usage (100%) and the whole thing slows to a virtual stand still. This also happens when I try to create and edit within Nero for any kind of movies. I have checked for advice on the forums but nothing seems to work. DMA is enabled, and I have uninstalled and re-installed the IDE drives. I also have the latest firmware and latest updates for Nero .

Hope someone can help

Thanks Rich:lol:

Member Avatar for prakhar_d

go to "system" in control panel ->hardware --> device manager click on ide /atapi controllers , click on primary or secondary IDE channel whichever you CDRW is installed on go to advance settings and make sure DMA is selected and not PIO. REBOOT and voila problem solved !!!

Member Avatar for merc4ulfate

go to "system" in control panel ->hardware --> device manager click on ide /atapi controllers , click on primary or secondary IDE channel whichever you CDRW is installed on go to advance settings and make sure DMA is selected and not PIO. REBOOT and voila problem solved !!!

I tried this and it did not work. Mine was already set for DMA and I have this same problem.

Any clues?

Member Avatar for rasputinj

in Changes from Changes from InCD to

they made this fix
Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 with IMAPI turned ON (Windows CD recording): improved write algorithm to reduce CPU usage and increase write speed

the date is 9/8/04 though.

Can you upgrade to a new version if possible.

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