Ye olde compaq problem

Tue Mar 16, 2004 3:14 pm by mustang

Hey Guys,

I just wanted to pick a few brains about a bit of an issue I'm having with some old PC's. We're running about 10 Win NT servers (Compaq DP2000 266Mhtz) in a branch network using SNA server for mainframe connectivity through a 9.6k line. We have a policy system (using .hlp files) that is regularly updated and instead of having to go through the trouble of updating the servers via floppies, we've shared out the servers CD-ROM and now just send them disks every month or so. The problem is that a few of them are rejecting the burnt CD's, they will chug away and try to read them for 30 seconds or so and then spit them out. When I get the disks back to office they are read fine by the newer machines. I originally thought it must've been just a bad disk, but I've done multiple copies and they all fail. What I can't get my head around is that they are all exactly the same spec machines, yet some will run the CD's fine and the others will have a hissy fit. I know it's a bit of a long shot but does anyone have any ideas about what might be happening? or even better a solution?
I had thought of replacing the CD-ROM's all together but really want to leave that as a last option.

Tue Mar 16, 2004 3:26 pm by Tawakalna

sounds like firmware revision in the cd-rom's is different, this is like what you get with some copy-protected cds on cd-roms both old and new - won't play or install some cd's.. Alternatively they could just be knackered cd-roms, after all they're mostly mass-produced throwaway cr*p with built-in redundancy, anyway. So even updating the firmware might make nodifference. I'd just buy a jpb-lot of cd-roms and replace the lot, if it were me. Be a lot less mither in the long run

Wed Mar 17, 2004 2:46 am by mustang

Thanks Taw, I'm thinking you could be right about the quality of the CD's im using, when I originally set it up every machine was going great guns using TEAC CD-R's. I might try burning on some decent disks instead of the generic crud I've been using lately. Im a bit reluctant to do any hardware upgrades on them cause we'll probably be asymalting the branches into our network with frame relay within the next 12 months. So they'll prolly just get binned or sold off to any chump who wants one. If that fails though, I'll give a firmware upgrade a go.

Wed Mar 17, 2004 2:59 am by Esquilax

NT4? *shudder*. I agree with Taw, the firmware version could be the problem, but it could also be a dirty lens (unlikely). Have you tried using a lens cleaning CD? It might be worth a shot if the drives are really old.

Wed Mar 17, 2004 11:38 am by Tawakalna

I got in 500 cd's a couple of weeks ago and after I'd tried 20 at random and got 1 successful burn from three different CD-RW drives, decided they were going straight back. Cheap cr*p. I'll never take unbranded generic sh*t again.

Wed Mar 17, 2004 4:05 pm by mustang

NT4? *shudder*.

Don't shudder to much, I used to have to deal with OS/2 machines up until 3 months ago. Thankfully the new CIO is throwing cash around like it's go out of style, so were getting a constant stream of new gear, it's lovely.

Anyway, I mailed a new disk out, so Im just waiting to hear whether it was successful or not. Prefer to avoid a visit if possible, i'll get stuck talking to the old boilers that we toss out to the boonies in a vain attempt to get rid of them.

Thu Mar 18, 2004 1:59 am by Esquilax

I haven't had a chance to use OS/2, but I've had my fill of NT4. All that convoluted policy editing, not mention trying to create trust between an NT4 and a 2000 Server! That took me a while. Ugh.

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