DVDA freezes when I click "make DVD"

sixstar wrote on 2/13/2007, 10:12 AM

When working in DVDA I have no problems until I click on "make DVD". When I do that the software freezes and I have to close the program. I have re-booted and the same thing still happens. Mind you I can do everything else within the software without a problem, but when I click "Make DVD" or select it from the file menu it freezes. Can someone help me out please? I'm using a:

dell xps 410 w/
intel dual core duo e6600 2.4 ghz
2g od ram
windows vista

Comments

MPM wrote on 2/13/2007, 11:15 AM

You know the Star Trek theme: "...To explore strange new worlds..." Welllll, you're in Vista. ;?}

Might check your default render folder in DVDA before hitting that button... DVDA default is a folder that doesn't exist in Vista (soft directory or pointer).

Purely guessing, I'd suspect DVDA might be trying to do a write it's not allowed to with default limited permissions. Try running the app as Admin., or else use compatibility settings to tell Vista to turn on virtualization, i.e. that Vista should provide an XP environ.

If that doesn't work, I'd suggest uninstalling, logging in as admin or running setup as admin and reinstalling that way.

If you get it working, Please let us know...

sixstar wrote on 2/13/2007, 7:13 PM

I'm am the administrator of my cpu, since I'm the only one that uses it. I unistalled the software and re-installed it and it's still freezing up when I click on "make DVD". Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

MPM wrote on 2/13/2007, 7:42 PM

"I'm am the administrator of my cpu"

Not in Vista you're not... Reduced authority -- no more instant admin or admin group as in XP. You have to specifically set up a separate admin account, or run as admin. Otherwise writing to certain areas of the hdd and certain areas of the reg are forbidden. There's a somewhat related article here:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/technetmag/issues/2007/02/Gaming/default.aspx

Now whether that's your problem or not I can't say. It makes sense if DVDA is trying to write to a default folder E:\Documents and Settings\<Name>\Local Settings\Temp\Mastered DVD, & Doc & Settings doesn't exist in Vista -- it's just a pointer to the real folders -- DVDA might hiccup, so if you haven't changed the default render folder, & as it takes seconds, I'd try that. Otherwise my only guesses would be: right click DVDA's exe file, set the compatibility to XP, or right click and select run as admin, or try the stuff logged on as admin.

To set up admin, in one of the RCs, 1st have to tell Vista to establish an admin account, then fill in the blanks for password, then restart or log off & on to that new acct. It's a pain, but also the only way to access & delete driver files, but that's another, very unfortunate story. ;?P

sixstar wrote on 2/14/2007, 6:26 AM

okay, thanks...I'll try your suggestions tonight and let you know how I make out. Thanks for the info.

bStro wrote on 2/14/2007, 11:04 AM

Not in Vista you're not... Reduced authority -- no more instant admin or admin group as in XP.

Yeesh.

Rob

sixstar wrote on 2/14/2007, 6:12 PM

I created a new account as an admin account and still nothing. I also tried right clicking and running the program as an administrator, that did not work. I set the compatibility to xp and that didn't work either. The only thing I did not try was changing the default render folder, what do you mean by this? Thanks.

MPM wrote on 2/14/2007, 9:01 PM

To set the default folder, go to the Options menu, then preferences, then the Mastering tab. Got my fingers crossed it'll work - good luck. ;?P

johnny53 wrote on 2/14/2007, 10:08 PM

I have a similar problem. When I click "Make DVD" I get an error message box saying "An Exception has occurred". What is an "Exception" and why does DVDA close when I click the "Ok" button?
I have sent this question to Tech Support- the response was:
--Make sure that you have the latest version of the firmware for your DVD burner.
--Try using a different brand of blank DVD.
--Make sure you do not have any packet writing software running in the background, such as DirectCD or InCD.
--If the program is not detecting your drive, try starting the program without a blank disc in the drive.
--And finally, If you are using an external Firewire drive and Windows XP Service Pack 2, then
download and install this patch from Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=CA0F2007-18B5-4112-8BD6
-8BF4BD3130B9&displaylang=en

None of the suggestions helped.

I am using Windows XP on a brand new Sony VAIO laptop
and this is my first attempt at making a DVD with DVDA. All input is greatly appreciated- I want to believe that Sony always puts out good product and my money was well spent.

barleycorn wrote on 2/15/2007, 7:42 AM

Are you using a Serial ATA DVD writer? How long have you waited after clicking Make DVD? Does the same thing happen when you're not logged on as an Administrator?

We have similar apparent freezes with a Samsung SH-S183A SATA drive (but with XP Media Center Edition installed). I haven't had time to look into this yet but the problem seems to be that DVD Architect (as well as other Sony software) is unable to detect the drive but takes quite a while trying. If we wait long enough, the Make DVD dialog does eventually appear. No such freeze occurs if logged on as a Limited user.

MPM wrote on 2/15/2007, 11:28 AM

I screwed up :`?{

In my last post to sixstar I forgot that DVDA4 also has settings for default folders under the Burning tab for preferences -- SORRY!

RE: possible drive prob....

Have you tried checking/unchecking the box for: "Skip drive database; autodetect drive capabilities" & "Automatically detect plug-and-play CD/DVD drives" on the general tab for preferences?

sixstar wrote on 2/15/2007, 12:47 PM

Thanks to everyone replying and trying to help me out. I'm at work right now. So I'm going to try these new suggestions when I get home tonight. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks again!

sixstar wrote on 2/15/2007, 3:48 PM

I tried switching the folder, I selceted automatically detect drive cap. I tried logging in as a limited user. I also waited a bit, but after 30 seconds it just prompts me w/ a "program not responding" message. This is getting really frustrating. Thanks for your suggestions though. You've been much better than sony support.

barleycorn wrote on 2/16/2007, 3:03 AM

It may just be an unrelated problem but when I said 'quite a while', I meant several (perhaps three?) minutes.

GeorgeW wrote on 2/16/2007, 3:17 AM

Are you burning to the Hard Drive, or to an actual disc? I'd try taking this in baby steps, and burn to the hard drive first (don't have a disc in your dvd drive either). Also, do you have any DV device connected (or external capture hardware)? Try disconnecting that as well. Create a small test project with just a vide oclip and burn to folders on your hard drive (no menu music or menu motion, etc...). If anything there works, then start adding in the other things to see where it goes bad...

sixstar wrote on 2/16/2007, 7:08 AM

I waited 15 minutes and nothing happened. I haven't had a disc in the drive, it doesn't even get close to actually burning, I hit the "make dvd" button and the progam instantly freezes. No dv device connected to cpu. I have tried clicking "make dvd" w/ just a small video clip and the same thing happens.

lchobbs wrote on 2/16/2007, 9:21 AM

Hi
The exact same thing happens when i try to burn a DVD. The whole computer freezes then crashes. I am getting a little confused with all the advice. Can anybody help?? Thanks

GeorgeW wrote on 2/16/2007, 11:28 AM

What are the properties of the video clips you are using? How about making just a Slideshow (as a test)?

Also, what version of the software are you using?

sixstar wrote on 2/17/2007, 12:50 PM

I tried the as a slideshow, same thing happens. DVDA3, also intalled the update for it.

WedVidMan wrote on 2/19/2007, 3:56 AM

Several weeks ago, I was trying to write a DVD and was getting similar responses. I finally figured out I had somehow hit one of the littlle triangle thingees in the Timeline work area, effectively reducing the video I wanted to write to DVD to zero, and so DVDA basically just stopped trying to write the DVD. I cleared the video, and all is working okay. I'm not even sure I could replicate the problem again if I had to.