CDRW Stuck at 1x

[raid517]

Hi currently my CDRW drive is stuck at 1x. Is there any way I can change the speed that Linux recognises my CDRW of being capable of? It is actually a Samsung drive and can burn at 52x and can use burnproof technology. (On this drive its called Smart Burn). Can Linux use this feature, or is this specific only to Windows?

GJ

[hard candy]

Which program are you using to burn the cdrw- check out k3b and arson, both are good.

[raid517]

I tried both Arson and KB3. Both list my Drive as only being capable of 1x recording. There must be a way I can fix this? My Kernel and Lilo are correctly configured for CD burning.

GJ

[hard candy]

Maybe DMA needs to be turned on for the drive- hdparm is what is used but I don't remember the exact command.

[raid517]

Well Xcdroast shows it as 52x capable. The only problem with that is that it demands that I copy from a physical drive. (As do most other applications I tried). What I'm trying to do - what I would like to do is burn a bootable ISO image, as I plan to install Mepis Linux.

To burn this image I need to be able to copy from an iso mounted as a loopback device.

But Nothing except KB3 seems to allow me to do this, and KB3 is listing my drive as only 1x capable.


Even if it isn't the cause, I think turning on DMA on my CDRW can only be a good thing. If you (or anyone) does remember how to do this, your input would be very much appreciated.

Kind regards,

GJ

[BeDe]

You can activate DMA with hdparm, using it like this:
hdparm -d 1 /dev/hda (only as root)
Add if K3b can't write iso images, open a shell and use cdrecord. Here's an example:
"cdrecord dev=0,0,0 gracetime=2 fs=4096k driveropts=burnfree -v -useinfo driver=mmc_cdr speed=4 -eject /home/bede/gotic1.iso"
Put the appropriate driver, and if you want to write the cd at max speed remove the "speed" arg.

[raid517]

How do I tell what driver my CDR uses? K3b lists it as a Samsung SM-352B.

Is the SM-352B also my driver version?

GJ

[BeDe]

Samsung SB-352 B it's just the part of the identification string.
mmc_cdr is a generic standard supported by almost all ATAPI
CDRW units.
In your case you can use the "mmc_cdr" driver.
For more info about your CDRW use:
"cdrecord dev=0,0,0 driveropts=help -checkdrive".

[raid517]

Ok thanks, I'll give that a try.

Hopefully the Mephis K3b will recognise the true capabilities of my drive.

Thanks again.

GJ

[BeDe]

You're welcome.
If it doesn't work, you can always use mkisofs+cdrecord..

[raid517]

Before I loose you, I'm still downloading Mepis, (I have about an hour to go) just exactly how would I do that?

Previously I always dual booted with Windows - and it has some ubercool CD burning tools. So I never really bothered to learn anything about Linux CD burning.

But I'm trying to break my dependance on Windows and see if I can live for a month exclusively with Linux.

If I can do that and am happy, I may just stick with it.

In any case, I hope my questions aren't too dumb. You've already been a star with all the help you've given me so far.

I couldn't really ask for more.

Kind regards,

GJ

[raid517]

Ahh Crap! It didn't make a bootable ISO

Is there some way I can make a bootable CD using CL tools?

I can't believe I face the possibility of having to install Windows in order to burn a Bootable ISO...

GJ

[hard candy]

Once you get cdrecord and dma straight on your burner, you should be able to use k3b or arson since they use cdrecord. Use the k3b setup and make sure the user is added to the cdrecord group in k3b.
Then k3b has a make iso or image menu entry.

[raid517]

Yeah it works, I download one ISO that was wrong. It's kind of ropey still, but it works.

As far as ISO images go, you just have to click on them and that launches arson ISO burner. Everything is straighforward from there.

GJ