Still no can do, i am running xp with dvd shrink using nero 7, i have just changed to liteon dvd recorder, it will not burn on anything other than 16x discs and on 8x it shows up a Power calibration error.

I am desparate. I tried everything and I still get the same message about power calibration in every software I use (nero, dvd decrypter etc). Bloody hell!!! Can anyone tell me if there is a diagnostic tool for my DVD in check if it is workng properly.... damn you Matshita!!!

Thanks matt3678! I just registered to give my gratitude. I was completely stumped as to why Nero wasn't burning my DVDs. I tried everything I could think of, drivers, flashing, uninstalling, restoring, even tweaked the IMAPI settings, and last straw finally just went and bought a new optical drive. Imagine my frustration to get it hooked up and it wouldn't burn DVDs, just like the old one... but at least I knew then that it wasn't a hardware issue. Thank goodness for Google.

So I am going to try and hook up the old writer and see if that works now, and maybe get my $60 bucks back.

Anyone who needs to run diagnostics on their optical drive, Google dvd diagnostic tool and you'll get a few good hits.

I tried the Imap fix to no avail as well. I have been working on fixing this problem for many months now and I am very desperate. The only option I haven't tried is using compressed air to blow out the drive, I'll try that next but if anyone can give me any other ideas I'd appreciate it.

I have dual memorex DVD burners. Both read perfect but they will not burn. I have used nero and media player. Ocassianilly nero will give me a successful burn but when I open the cd nothing is on it. I have tried updating the firmware, unplugging my second burner and 3 extra case fans to see if it is a power issue, completely uninstalling and reinstalling the drive, and using a cd cleaner. Nothing works. I have been using SONY cds and have also tried some off brand hi-quality cd. The results are exactly the same. I have talked to several other computer techs and stumped every one of them.

Originally I never had this problem, I cannot think of what might have changed to cause these burner issues. ANY SUGGESTIONS AT ALL, I AM OUT OF IDEAS. I'll try the canned air, but since both of my drives (they are identical) have the same issue I don't think this is the problem.

Ok I found a can of compressed air, tried that, did not change anything...ideas?...PLEASE!!!

I was getting the same error and then used a CD/DVD lens cleaning CD in the laptop (the kind with the little brushes on it) - all is well!!

well, i had the same problem with my writer (power calibration error), and after i followed those steps in control panel the problem was gone (thanx a lot man ! ) . oh...if the problem persists , clean your lens...that might work.

I tried what you suggested. It did not work for me. I'm using XP. Here's my error report. Can anyone help? Thanks.

Scott Hornburg
Home
4C87-2018-2045-477K-055X-403E-9539-**** (*)

Windows XP 5.1
IA32
WinAspi: -
ahead WinASPI: File 'C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\Core\Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=2.0.1.74, size=164112 bytes, created 11/2/2004 12:54:32 PM

NT-SPTI used
Nero Version: 7.5.13.1
Internal Version: 7, 5, 13, 1
(Nero Express)
Recorder: <LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20A1S> Version: 9L05 - HA 1 TA 0 - 7.5.13.1
Adapter driver: <IDE> HA 1
Drive buffer : 2048kB
Bus Type : via Inquiry data (1) -> ATAPI, detected: ?
Connected to MMC as unknown drive with class-nr : 1
Drive is autodetected - recorder class: Std. MMC recorder
CD-ROM: <LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20A1S >Version: 9L05 - HA 1 TA 0 - 7.5.13.1
Adapter driver: <IDE> HA 1

=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral : WDC WD3200AAKS-00VYA0 atapi Port 1 ID 0 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20A1S atapi Port 1 ID 1 DMA: On

=== CDRom-Device-Map ===
LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20A1S D: CDRom0
=======================

AutoRun : 1
Excluded drive IDs:
WriteBufferSize: 83886080 (0) Byte
BUFE : 0
Physical memory : 2047MB (2096300kB)
Free physical memory: 1413MB (1447700kB)
Memory in use : 30 %
Uncached PFiles: 0x0
Use Inquiry : 1
Global Bus Type: default (0)
Check supported media : Disabled (0)

17.1.2008
Video CD
2:37:21 PM #1 Text 0 File SCSIPTICommands.cpp, Line 411
LockMCN - completed sucessfully for IOCTL_STORAGE_MCN_CONTROL

2:37:21 PM #2 Text 0 File VCDDoc.cpp, Line 1615
VideoCD document burn settings
------------------------------------------
Compilation type : VCD
Menu : Disable
Picture in separate folder : TRUE
Folder name ICTURES
Use CD-I : TRUE
CD-I configuration : CONTROLS=ALL

CURCOL=YELLOW

PSDCURCOL=RED

PSDCURSHAPE=ARROW

CENTRTRACK=2

AUTOPLAY=AUTO_ON

DUALCHAN=DUAL_ON

TIMECODE_X=64

TIMECODE_Y=100

LOTID_X=64

LOTID_Y=64

ALBUM=STANDARD
Encoding bitrate mode : User defined (kb/s)

2:37:21 PM #3 Phase 82 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1760
Encoding video

2:37:21 PM #4 Text 0 File VCDCompilationImpl.cpp, Line 574
Using Nero Video Converter version 0.00

2:37:22 PM #5 Text 0 File AVIVCDFileItem.cpp, Line 1003
Encoding E:\XYZ\keep\coxxsoxx3.wmv to C:\DOCUME~1\Scott\LOCALS~1\Temp\NER13.tmp
ScalingType: 0 Video: yes Audio: yes
File size: 43592646 bytes
Resolution: 320x240 23.976 Hz
Frames: 29761

2:37:22 PM #6 Text 0 File AVIVCDFileItem.cpp, Line 1021
Playing time: 1241.280000 s
Requested rate: 225 KB/s
iVideoRate=0
iAudioRate=32
Estimated size: 93096 blocks

2:41:19 PM #7 Text 0 File AVIVCDFileItem.cpp, Line 1053
Encoding done

2:41:20 PM #8 Text 0 File VCDFileItem.cpp, Line 451
Actual size: 94224 blocks

2:41:20 PM #9 Text 0 File VCDFileItem.cpp, Line 455
The generated Video file is 1.011790 of the evaluated size

2:41:21 PM #10 Text 0 File AVIVCDFileItem.cpp, Line 1003
Encoding E:\XYZ\keep\factorygirl.wmv to C:\DOCUME~1\Scott\LOCALS~1\Temp\NER16.tmp
ScalingType: 0 Video: yes Audio: yes
File size: 92019500 bytes
Resolution: 352x288 25 Hz
Frames: 24409

2:41:21 PM #11 Text 0 File AVIVCDFileItem.cpp, Line 1021
Playing time: 976.360000 s
Requested rate: 225 KB/s
iVideoRate=0
iAudioRate=32
Estimated size: 73227 blocks

2:44:39 PM #12 Text 0 File AVIVCDFileItem.cpp, Line 1053
Encoding done

2:44:40 PM #13 Text 0 File VCDFileItem.cpp, Line 451
Actual size: 74110 blocks

2:44:40 PM #14 Text 0 File VCDFileItem.cpp, Line 455
The generated Video file is 1.011644 of the evaluated size

2:44:40 PM #15 Text 0 File AVIVCDFileItem.cpp, Line 1003
Encoding E:\XYZ\keep\big_bigger_6_m[1].wmv to C:\DOCUME~1\Scott\LOCALS~1\Temp\NER19.tmp
ScalingType: 0 Video: yes Audio: yes
File size: 40949443 bytes
Resolution: 320x240 23.976 Hz
Frames: 25945

2:44:40 PM #16 Text 0 File AVIVCDFileItem.cpp, Line 1021
Playing time: 1082.120000 s
Requested rate: 225 KB/s
iVideoRate=0
iAudioRate=32
Estimated size: 81159 blocks

2:48:09 PM #17 Text 0 File AVIVCDFileItem.cpp, Line 1053
Encoding done

2:48:10 PM #18 Text 0 File VCDFileItem.cpp, Line 451
Actual size: 82139 blocks

2:48:10 PM #19 Text 0 File VCDFileItem.cpp, Line 455
The generated Video file is 1.011701 of the evaluated size

2:48:10 PM #20 Text 0 File Isodoc.cpp, Line 6517
Iso document burn settings
------------------------------------------
Determine maximum speed : FALSE
Simulate : FALSE
Write : TRUE
Finalize CD : TRUE
Multisession : FALSE
Burning mode : DAO
Mode : 2 / XA
ISO Level : 1 (Max. of 11 = 8 + 3 char)
Character set : ISO 9660
Joliet : TRUE
Allow pathdepth more than 8 directories : FALSE
Allow more than 255 characters in path : FALSE
Write ISO9660 ;1 file extensions : TRUE

2:48:10 PM #21 Text 0 File VCDDoc.cpp, Line 3110
VCD options:
-----------------------------------------------------
Create standard compliant CD: YES
Encoding resolution: NTSC
-----------------------------------------------------

2:48:10 PM #22 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3156
LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20A1S
SMART-BURN activated

2:48:10 PM #23 ISO9660GEN -11 File Geniso.cpp, Line 3332
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

2:48:10 PM #24 ISO9660GEN -11 File Geniso.cpp, Line 3332
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

2:48:10 PM #25 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3467
Turn on Disc-At-Once, using CD-R/RW media

2:48:11 PM #26 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 306
Last possible write address on media: 359845 ( 79:59.70)
Last address to be written: 252313 ( 56:06.13)

2:48:11 PM #27 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 318
Write in overburning mode: NO (enabled: CD)

2:48:11 PM #28 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 2929
Recorder: LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20A1S;
CDR code: 00 97 26 66; OSJ entry from: CMC Magnetics Corporation
ATIP Data:
Special Info [hex] 1: D0 00 98, 2: 61 1A 42 (LI 97:26.66), 3: 4F 3B 47 (LO 79:59.71)
Additional Info [hex] 1: 00 00 80 (invalid), 2: 00 80 00 (invalid), 3: 00 80 80 (invalid)

2:48:11 PM #29 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 490
>>> Protocol of DlgWaitCD activities: <<<
=========================================

2:48:11 PM #30 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 792
Setup items (after recorder preparation)
0: TRM_DATA_MODE2_2336 ()
2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
original disc pos #0 + 1121 (1121) = #1121/0:14.71
relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/ required
-> TRM_DATA_RAW_MODE2, 2352, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 1121 blocks [D: LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20A1S]
1: TRM_DATA_MODE2_2336 (soxx3)
2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
original disc pos #0 + 94314 (94314) = #94314/20:57.39
relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/not required
-> TRM_DATA_RAW_MODE2, 2352, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 94314 blocks [D: LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20A1S]
2: TRM_DATA_MODE2_2336 (factory)
2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
original disc pos #0 + 74200 (74200) = #74200/16:29.25
relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/not required
-> TRM_DATA_RAW_MODE2, 2352, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 74200 blocks [D: LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20A1S]
3: TRM_DATA_MODE2_2336 (big)
2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
original disc pos #0 + 82229 (82229) = #82229/18:16.29
relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/not required
-> TRM_DATA_RAW_MODE2, 2352, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 82229 blocks [D: LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20A1S]
--------------------------------------------------------------

2:48:11 PM #31 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 995
Prepare [D: LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20A1S] for write in CUE-sheet-DAO
DAO infos:
==========
MCN: ""
TOCType: 0x20; Session Closed, disc fixated
Tracks 1 to 4: Idx 0 Idx 1 Next Trk
1: TRM_DATA_RAW_MODE2, 2352/0x00, FilePos 0 352800 2989392, ISRC ""
2: TRM_DATA_RAW_MODE2, 2352/0x00, FilePos 2989392 3342192 225168720, ISRC ""
3: TRM_DATA_RAW_MODE2, 2352/0x00, FilePos 225168720 225521520 400039920, ISRC ""
4: TRM_DATA_RAW_MODE2, 2352/0x00, FilePos 400039920 400392720 593795328, ISRC ""
DAO layout:
===========
___Start_|____Track_|_Idx_|_CtrlAdr_|_____Size_|__ ____NWA_|_RecDep__________
-150 | lead-in | 0 | 0x41 | 0 | 0 | 0x00
-150 | 1 | 0 | 0x41 | 1121 | -150 | 0x00
0 | 1 | 1 | 0x41 | 1121 | 0 | 0x00
1121 | 2 | 0 | 0x41 | 94314 | 1121 | 0x00
1271 | 2 | 1 | 0x41 | 94314 | 1271 | 0x00
95585 | 3 | 0 | 0x41 | 74200 | 95585 | 0x00
95735 | 3 | 1 | 0x41 | 74200 | 95735 | 0x00
169935 | 4 | 0 | 0x41 | 82229 | 169935 | 0x00
170085 | 4 | 1 | 0x41 | 82229 | 170085 | 0x00
252314 | lead-out | 1 | 0x41 | 0 | 0 | 0x00

2:48:11 PM #32 Text 0 File SCSIPTICommands.cpp, Line 209
SPTILockVolume - completed successfully for FCTL_LOCK_VOLUME

2:48:11 PM #33 Phase 24 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1760
Caching of files started

2:48:11 PM #34 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 4351
Cache writing successful.

2:48:11 PM #35 Phase 25 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1760
Caching of files completed

2:48:11 PM #36 Phase 36 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1760
Burn process started at 48x (7,200 KB/s)

2:48:11 PM #37 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2712
Verifying disc position of item 0 (relocatable, disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #0

2:48:11 PM #38 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2712
Verifying disc position of item 1 (relocatable, no disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #1271

2:48:11 PM #39 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2712
Verifying disc position of item 2 (relocatable, no disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #95735

2:48:11 PM #40 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2712
Verifying disc position of item 3 (relocatable, no disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #170085

2:48:11 PM #41 Text 0 File MMC.cpp, Line 17599
StartDAO : CD-Text - Off

2:48:11 PM #42 Text 0 File MMC.cpp, Line 22275
Set BUFE: SMART-BURN -> ON , SMART-BURN : ON

2:48:11 PM #43 Text 0 File MMC.cpp, Line 17827
CueData, Len=80
41 00 00 34 00 00 00 00
41 01 00 21 00 00 00 00
41 01 01 21 00 00 02 00
41 02 00 21 00 00 10 47
41 02 01 21 00 00 12 47
41 03 00 21 00 15 10 23
41 03 01 21 00 15 12 23
41 04 00 21 00 25 2f 3c
41 04 01 21 00 25 31 3c
41 aa 01 34 00 38 06 0e

2:49:03 PM #44 SPTI -1106 File SCSIPassThrough.cpp, Line 179
CdRom0: SCSIStatus(x02) WinError(0) NeroError(-1106)
Sense Key: 0x03 (KEY_MEDIUM_ERROR)
Sense Code: 0x73
Sense Qual: 0x03
CDB Data: 0x2A 00 FF FF FF 6A 00 00 1B 00 00 00
Sense Area: 0x70 00 03 00 00 00 00 0A 00 00 00 00 73 03
Buffer x06e0c0c0: Len xf810
0x00 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF 00 00 00 00 02
0x00 00 20 00 00 00 20 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
0x00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

2:49:03 PM #45 CDR -1106 File Writer.cpp, Line 299
Power calibration error
D: LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20A1S

2:49:03 PM #46 SPTI -1169 File SCSIPassThrough.cpp, Line 179
CdRom0: SCSIStatus(x02) WinError(0) NeroError(-1169)
Sense Key: 0x02 (KEY_NOT_READY)
Sense Code: 0x04
Sense Qual: 0x08
CDB Data: 0x35 02 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
Sense Area: 0x70 00 02 00 00 00 00 0A 00 00 00 00 04 08

2:49:07 PM #47 Phase 38 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1760
Burn process failed at 48x (7,200 KB/s)

2:49:07 PM #48 Text 0 File AVIVCDFileItem.cpp, Line 1117
Temporary file C:\DOCUME~1\Scott\LOCALS~1\Temp\NER13.tmp deleted

2:49:07 PM #49 Text 0 File AVIVCDFileItem.cpp, Line 1117
Temporary file C:\DOCUME~1\Scott\LOCALS~1\Temp\NER16.tmp deleted

2:49:07 PM #50 Text 0 File AVIVCDFileItem.cpp, Line 1117
Temporary file C:\DOCUME~1\Scott\LOCALS~1\Temp\NER19.tmp deleted

2:49:08 PM #51 Text 0 File SCSIPTICommands.cpp, Line 254
SPTIDismountVolume - completed successfully for FSCTL_DISMOUNT_VOLUME

2:49:10 PM #52 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 10538
DriveLocker: UnLockVolume completed

2:49:10 PM #53 Text 0 File SCSIPTICommands.cpp, Line 411
UnLockMCN - completed sucessfully for IOCTL_STORAGE_MCN_CONTROL


Existing drivers:
File 'Drivers\CDRALW2K.SYS': Ver=8.0.0.212 , size=9464 bytes, created 2/2/2007 3:00:00 AM
File 'Drivers\PXHELP20.SYS': Ver=3.00.56a, size=43528 bytes, created 3/29/2007 3:00:00 AM (Prassi/Veritas driver for win 2K)
File 'Drivers\InCDfs.SYS': Ver=5, 5, 0, 11, size=102912 bytes, created 11/10/2006 4:15:44 PM (InCD4 driver for win NT/2K/XP)
File 'Drivers\InCDpass.SYS': Ver=5, 5, 0, 11, size=31360 bytes, created 11/10/2006 4:16:34 PM (InCD4 driver for win NT/2K/XP)
File 'Drivers\InCDrec.SYS': Ver=5, 5, 0, 11, size=10624 bytes, created 11/10/2006 4:15:56 PM (InCD4 driver for win NT/2K/XP)

Registry Keys:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\AllocateCDROMs : 0 (Security Option)

Many thanks for posting this solution instead of just solving the problem and movin' on.

My curiosity got the better of me, though, why folks would have no prob. with this, then, out of the blue we all have the same prob. with a straight-forward fix. Here's what I found. Your milage may vary, though I doubt it.

What "changed" was that just before you started receiving this message, Windoz grew the swap file. I worked on version 1.0 and I can tell you that when it grows the swap file, you need to reboot your computer. Whenever it gets around to giving you control again. Anyway, this causes the buffering to fail, just after it says 100%, and the "power calibration" error is just sloppy programming, printing the wrong error code (next likely error). Some may have received the error message first time 'round, if their box had too little physical memory or a very large swap file relative to the physical memory.

For those that don't understand why some people regard Windows as a flawed product, not fit for purpose, this illustrates the three biggest issues with Windows. Trying to make these points in the abstract can be difficult, and this provides an excellent illustration of all three.

#1. It doesn't manage memory as well as operating systems written in the 1960s, speaking relatively, and it doesn't manage memory adequately in absolute terms.
#2. Most windows problems are caused by Microsoft applications using special relationships with the OS to get a competitive advantage over pure applications. If you were writing an email program, would you have it be able to write CD-ROMs or do any OS tasks? The service you disabled exists to allow IE Express to do this, which logic is the source of 90% of the email trojans out there today.
#3. Programs are written optimistically and code reviews do not happen. Programmers like to think about the problem, take care of error paths later. In fact, good software design is just the opposite. At companies like MS, the groids have a blank cheque and don't do anything that isn't fun. Error handling isn't fun. Testing is supposed to catch everything, but you can't test for what happens after you grow the swap file if you're denying that it's a problem in the first place. In a simple code review, assuming everyone is awake, it would be trivial to note that an error occuring between the end of buffering and the beginning of write would "fall through" to the wrong error clause because someone was to lazy to fetch the service specific return code from the call to the IMAPI service.

Bottom line, Linux/Mac/Unix- no diff really, same OS- aren't like this. They're maintained by people that behave like you think computer scientists behave. MS board could get a boost with Cheney's leaving office, though. Hard to maintain that arm-twisting-uber-substance stance in the 21st century, but he can fire them up again.

If you're writing new code, and have blue sky choices, also consider the personality of the programmers involved. Regardless of personal virtue, if you work with a system with a given philosophy, that philosophy will be communicated in your work as well. You can't have world class software developed by people using a second class OS. Employees will treat clients as you treat them. It is just not psychologically possible to be Microshafted daily and maintain a reasonable concept of what is user friendly.

Hi,

I'm running on Vista Basic Edition. Recently my laptop has been giving me the "Power Calibration Error" everytime I tried burning data DVDs. Seen the solution procedure posted by Matt3678 however I couldn't find the "IMAPI CD BURNING COM SERVICE" anywhere in the services list. Is this available only for Win xp? Any suggestion for Vista?

Thanks in anticipation.
Ben