DVD writing thwarted by ATAPI error

(tags hardware, upgrade, Windows, backup)

Maybe I'm folly's example, but I keep picking Plextor CD and DVD drives because they've been good and pretty trouble free to me. The following is the paradox. My 2004 Plextor PX-708A was giving me ATAPI errors during burns, and after the 20th non-consecutive coaster I decided to get a new drive. So I jet over to the Sofmap and see a Plextor PX-760SA (2006/05). I ignore the other makes and models. I must be Plextor's whipping boy.

Anyway, Serial ATA. Of course there is a regular ATAPI version, but I wanna end the tyranny of fat cables in my PC. All 4 SATA ports on the motherboard are taken so I decided to go get a PCI card at the same time. I was thinking that Sugoi Card was going to do the trick but at 7000 yen for 4 internal + 3 external ports it was too steep. So I settled for an SATA 1 x external port, 2 internal port, and USB2.0 x 4 port full-height PCI card, the Buffalo IFC-PCI7ESAU2. I don't need more USB2.0 ports, but you can never have enough overkill.

While I was attempting to operate on my PC, I picked up a PC case internal card reader/writer called 16+1 by Owltech. It uses a 3.5" drive bay and has a USB pin header connector. It came in silver, which matches my Owltech case. (Who woulda thunk it?) Now I can use my Memory Stick Pro Duo without adapters. Nice.

So the new Plextor also has a replaceable bezel that comes in silver. Ah. Sweet. How does burning feel at DVD 16x feel? I wouldn't know, the media I got is rated 8x. But 30 minutes for burn and verify, sweet.

The old Plextor still works for reading. I don't trust it much for writing. How's life with 2 drives? ITunes doesn't let me rip from both at the same time, but I can rip with iTunes and burn with the supplied burning soft at the same time.