Puzzling problem

A couple of days ago, I started getting read/write problems with DVD's in my workstation which has been rock solid for a long time and these disks have worked flawlessly in the past. After some work I have narrowed it down, see if you agree:-

1. The DVD Disks work in other systems (laptop) and were burned on the problem system, so unlikely to be the disks.
2. Same problems with a new DVD drive, so unlikely to be the DVD drive.

3. Same problems with Windows XP, Windows 7 RC and Ubuntu Linux running on a separate HDD. All are fully updated and XP is a new install. Unlikely to be the OS or a virus. Ubuntu states an I/O error when the problem occurs.

4. Checked bios settings, voltages and temps, all fine and correct and have not changed recently.
5. Tried different memory, same problems. Unlikely to be a memory issue.

6. Swapped SATA data and power supply cables and tried different SATA ports. Same problems.

6. Enabled onboard IDE controller and fitted an old PATA DVD drive. The disks work fine with this, albeit slower due to the older hardware.

My conclusion is that there is a problem with the motherboard SATA controller. The current board is a MSI P35 Neo2-FR. I think that a new motherboard is the only way to solve this. The question is what is a not too expensive, rock solid MBd that is good for a bit of overclocking too?

The hardware to fit it is:

CPU = Q6600
Memory = 6GB DDR2 800 (4 sticks)
HDD = 2 x SATA
DVD = 2 x SATA DVD R/W
PSU = 650W modular
Graphics = Nvidia 7300GT PCI-E
Sound = use built in.

Ideas and alternative thoughts welcome.

p.s. Any board etc needs to be available from Scan.

hmm odd,

I'm actually getting a similar problem to you under vista.
Use to burn very reliably, but not anymore.
I have a similar spec machine (check sig) based on MSI P35 Neo-F
May I ask what software your using to burn Dvds with?

I have used various apps, but mainly Nero 8 in Windows and K3B in Linux. I'm stumped, I have never come across anything like this. I have even wondered if it could be the media but why should several dvd's start playing up at exactly the same time?

Not updated to new drivers recently ?? or need new drivers??

Lee

It's the same on latest W7 RC, a new install of XP and Ubuntu Linux which automatically updates to the latest.