What is a buffer under-run error?
To minimize mid-session interruptions during recording, CD recorder manufacturers put a write buffer in the drive. Data read from the hard drive, tape, or another CD is stored in the buffer, and pulled out as needed by the recorder. When the buffer empties while recording, it’s called a buffer under-run. The disc continues to spin, but since there’s no data to write, the recording process aborts and causes the error message to appear. You might be able to continue using the disc with multi-session CD-ROM drives by closing the session and starting another, if there’s enough space left on the CD, and if the disc is not finalized. Once a disc is finalized, nothing more can be written to it.
• Data read from the hard drive or another CD is stored in the buffer, and pulled out as needed by the rewriter. When the buffer empties while recording, it’s called a buffer under-run. The disc continues to spin, but since there’s no data to write, the writing process aborts. You might be able to continue using the disc with multi-session CD-ROM drives by closing the session and starting another, if there’s enough space left on the CD, and if the disc is not finalized. Once a disc is finalized, nothing more can be written to it.
A buffer underrun occurs when your computer system cannot keep up the steady stream of data required for CD recording. The CD recorder has an internal memory buffer to protect against interruptions and slowdowns, but if the interruption is so long that the recorder’s buffer is completely emptied, a buffer underrun occurs, writing stops, and most often the recordable CD is ruined. Here are some suggestions to prevent buffer under-runs: 1. Record at a slower speed – try dropping the speed a level or two. 2. Don’t do anything else with the computer while recording. Don’t record from a file server. Disable all screensavers, anti-virus programs and sleep modes. 3. De-fragment your hard drive, especially if you’re recording from data on the hard drive. 4. Record from a disc image file rather than on the fly. 5. Keep your CD-R drive cool. Sometimes drives fail when they overheat. 6. Disable programs that wake up, virtual memory settings that cause swapping, screen savers that could activate d
