"prevent buffer underruns" was wrong, yes. What I meant to say is that I thought it was supposed to prevent buffer underrun errors - so that a recordable CD or DVD becomes unusable because of a buffer underrun.
So, the way I understand it, burn proof systems save the position of the last written sector and when the buffer is re-filled, they continue the write process from that point. I am wondering what was the problem here (why the Plextor failed to continue writing).
Edit 1: I would like to add that burn proof worked flawlessly a few days ago when I was burning a DVD image from HDD at 12x. At the end of the write process, PlexTools reported a BP Rec activity of 4 meaning that burn proof recovered 4 buffer underruns.
Edit 2: I copied Ubuntu using the same drive as source and destination unit (so, no OTF copy) and while the Plextor was burning the data, I tried to stress the HDD. 4 buffer underruns occurred and they were all recovered:
CODE
-------------------------------------------------------
PlexTools Professional V2.32 CD/DVD Copy
Copyright © 1999-2005 Plextor SA/NV
Freitag, 3. März 2006
-------------------------------------------------------
Software information
--------------------
Operating system: Windows XP V5.01.2600 Service Pack 2
ASPI Manager: n/a
Description : n/a
Source Information
------------------
C:\DOKUME~1\SEBAST~1\LOKALE~1\Temp\PXImage.bin
Destination Information
-----------------------
IDE Interface 0 ID: - Maximum # Targets: -
Description: Primärer IDE-Kanal
Type : IDE ATA/ATAPI-Controller
Port Driver: atapi.sys
Provider :
Description: IDE/ATAPI Port Driver (Microsoft Corporation)
Location : C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\atapi.sys
Version : 5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
Date :
ID 1: PLEXTOR DVDR PX-712A V1.07 (S/N:601569) (1.18.18C - 10.3.33D)
Read speed: 17-40 X CAV, Jumper settings: 010, Buffer Underrun Proof enabled
CD-ROM - Mode 1 (Ubuntu 5.10 i386), 1 session(s), 1 track(s), 70:13.06
CD/DVD Copy Log
---------------
Selected write speed: 48 X
include: UPC: yes ISRC: yes CD+G: no
1st session only : no
Allow Overburning : no Leave Disc Open: no
Audio Error Detection : disabled
-Advanced error detection disabled
-Maximum errors : 100
-Allow Speed Down : no
Read Error Recovery Strategy : 1. Report Errors only (no recovery action).
Error log : C:\DOKUME~1\SEBAST~1\LOKALE~1\Temp\\CDCopyLog_2006_3_3_20h36m16s.txt
Scanning tracks
Saving Track 1 Start:00:00.00 Length:70:13.06
Start Write Copy 1/1
Writing Lead In
Writing Track 1 Start:00:00.00 Length:70:13.06
Writing Lead Out
BP Rec activity: 4 occurences. (BP Counter)
Selected Write Speed : 48 X
Maximum Media Write Speed : 48 X
Actual Last Write Speed : 40 X PoweRec : enabled
CD/DVD Copy completed successfully
[...]
So, generally speaking, burn proof seems to work. Not sure why it failed during the last OTF copy, though.
) had problems reading a CD and blocked the BenQ from transferring the data to the Plextor. This lasted for about 20 seconds. During these 20 seconds, the Plextor managed to empty its 8 MB buffer and was waiting for more data. The BenQ then finally continued reading, the PlexTools (I suppose) read buffer was filled and then the write failure occurred.