NOTE: You, the customer, are solely responsible for data security. WinBook strongly recommends that you perform a backup of all personal data contained on your system prior to performing this procedure. Warning: WinBook will NOT be held responsible for any data loss incurred during this process.

NOTE: Buffer underruns are rare with Easy CD Creator.

CD writing is a real-time process which must run constantly at the selected recording speed, without interruptions. The CD recorder's buffer is constantly filled with a reserve of data waiting to be written, so that small slowdowns or interruptions in the flow of data from the computer do not interrupt writing.

A buffer underrun error means that for some reason the flow of data from source (e.g., hard disk, CD-ROM drive) to CD recorder was interrupted long enough for the CD recorder's buffer to be emptied, and writing was halted. If this occurs during an actual write operation rather than a test, your recordable disc may be ruined.

Possible Causes of Buffer Underruns:

Hard Disk

• Extremely fragmented hard drive.

• Not enough space in temporary directory.

• Hard disk compression may cause buffer underruns. We do not recommend writing from a compressed hard disk or disk partition.

Other Hardware

• Slow source devices.

• Source devices that transfer data in bursts.

• Incorrect recorder controller settings.

• Inability of the devices to sync properly.

• Overall system configuration.

• Computer unable to allow fast enough data transfer.

• Setting hard drive read ahead optimization to "none" may cure buffer underruns in some cases. (Go to the Start menu | Settings | Control Panel | System
  | Performance | Advanced Settings/File System | Hard Disk and set "Read-ahead optimization" to "None.")

Networks

• Recording across the network (a network may be too slow to maintain adequate throughput speed).

Files to Be Recorded

• Recording many small files.

• Damaged source files (data loss).

• Trying to record files in use by the system or other applications.

Other

• Copying from a CD that is scratched, dirty, or damaged.

• Recorder malfunction.

Checks / Prevention

• Defragment your hard drives at least once a week.

• Do not record across a network. Copy the desired files to your local hard drive.

• Record at a slower speed.

• It may be necessary to write audio at slower speeds than those you can achieve for data, since writing CD-DA audio requires streaming more bits per second to the recorder.

• Keep the CDs and the recorder drive free of dust..

• Do not try to copy empty directories, zero byte files, or files that may be in use by the system at the time of recording.

• If your data includes more than 10,000 very small files, create a disc image first, or record at a slower speed.

• The temporary directory should always have space free at least twice the size of the largest file you are recording.

• Try a different brand of recordable disc.

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Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you as a service from the Technical Support Department of WinBook Computers. It is intended to assist you in the resolution of your technical problems or questions. If you feel uncomfortable implementing any of the information or suggestions contained herein then you should e-mail the WinBook Technical Support Department. WinBook will not be held responsible for any loss of information, data or programming as a result of the use of this TechNote.