I/O error when ripping discs leads to locked-up system

[Crimson]

I've been trying to rip my CD+Gs with an externally connected Plextor 712A DVD-R/RW (using an IDE-to-USB adapter) onto my MacBook Pro, and frequently, I get "There was an I/O error reading the disc, perhaps it is scratched?" after the rip attempt freezes on a track for a long time.

Unfortunately, after that happens, it seems that either kJams or Finder has locked up on my drive and I can't even eject the CD without disconnecting the USB connector from the computer, cycling power on the drive by disconnecting and reconnecting the power cable, then ejecting the CD. I also have to reboot the computer in order to get back to ripping a different disc, as a normal shutdown seems to freeze.

[dave]

this is not really a problem with kJams, but apparently the OS. I had stuck a CD into iTunes (which, unbeknownst to me, had some goop on it) and started ripping it. When it got to the track covered in goop, iTunes just hung my machine. Forever. Forcing a hard reboot. got the spinny beach ball, no other programs would respond either.

so, check your disc. make sure there's no goop. goop is bad.

[Crimson]

Have you ever experienced similar with pristine, clean discs?

[dave]

not me nope, always works perfectly.

[Crimson]

I can probably blame the drive or the external connector. Thanks, though!

[Crimson]

I'm running a new test environment now, and I'm fairly confident that the problems stems from the external drive/USB-to-IDE connector. I had kept a log of the CDs that had failed when ripping to my MacBook Pro, so I tried those CDs in a G5 tower, and they are ripping without any difficulty so far (three CDs at this point).

[dave]

let me know how it goes!

[Crimson]

After an afternoon of ripping, it was the hardware. The external drive & USB-to-IDE adapter was just a bit too dodgy, unfortunately. It introduced too many variables into the chain of devices, just to get around the MacBook Pro's inability to read CD+Gs

But the tower is working great -- it just makes it a few extra steps to rip, copy, and import properly and reliably.

[dave]

I'm so glad to hear it's working. Yes i've had troubles from every corner using USB devices, (reported from many users) but never had trouble using FireWire devices.

Thanks for letting us know!

-dave