An Alternate Method
You can also install the latest Adaptec ASPI drivers *without*
the requisite Adaptec hardware or software in your system, by 'virtually'
installing an Adaptec 2940 SCSI adapter (even if you don't actually
have one).
Do this by opening your Install New Hardware wizard: Start >
Settings > Control Panel > Add/Remove Hardware.
This will trick
your system [and the ASPI32.exe installer program] into thinking you have an Adaptec SCSI card installed in your system.
After you have 'virtually' installed the phantom Adaptec SCSI adapter,
you will be able to install the Adaptec ASPI layer.
You can now download
ASPI v4.60 file directly from the Adaptec site (here too).
Many people have reported using these Adaptec ASPI layer 4.60 drivers
with a variety of operating systems, including Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000,
and Windows XP .. all with NO PROBLEMS.
I've heard many people say things like, "All my ripping and
burning problems disappeared once I updated my ASPI drivers to v4.60
(1021)." In fact, I haven't heard of a single problem.
I use
them myself, with WXP, W2K & WMe. When you consider that my system
contains multiple SCSI hard drives,
a SCSI burner & CDROM, you can see that these ASPI drivers from
Adaptec get the job done without generating conflicts.
After installing/updating your ASPI layer drivers, you can then
remove/delete the phantom (virtual) Adaptec hardware from your system
(via your Device Manager).
I forget where I learned this trick. Plextor
support, I think. ForceASPI is easier & quicker, which
is why I recommend that route. People who are uncomfortable using 'hacked'
software [ForceASPI] might prefer this alternate method, even tho it's
a bit more complicated.
Another trick is to download and decompress Adaptec ASPI layer v4.71.2
[the executable decompresses to a default folder named "\adaptec\aspi"]. Rename WNASPIXP.DLL
to WNASPI32.DLL and copy this renamed file to your
\windows\system32 directory/folder. You should then be able to download
and install Adaptec ASPI layer v4.60 without a qualifying Adaptec product
installed in your system.
This method has only been tested/verified with Windows XP. If anyone
verifies that it works for Windows 2000, let me know. Note that there
is also a file named WNASPI2K.DL_ that comes with the Adpatec ASPI drivers
v4.71.2. I would expect this to be the one to use [renamed to WNASPI32.DLL
.. but I could be wrong].
Burning & Ripping with Force ASPI
I regularly rip CD audio with Exact
Audio Copy, and burn CDs using a variety of software programs such
as: Nero, Fireburner,
BlindWrite,
Feurio,
Jeff Arnold's CDRWin
(Goldenhawk), Plextor's PlexTools, and CD
Architect, Alcohol 120%
.. and a few others - all with NO PROBLEMS.
I use a Tekram
DC-390U3W SCSI controller. Note that Adaptec ASPI drivers work fine with a non-Adaptec SCSI card. The SCSI standard is apparently
well defined.
If you still have problems ripping or burning after installing
the latest Adaptec ASPI layer drivers, it's usually due to a
problem with your burner or CD-ROM drive. It might be a good idea to
try ripping with a program such as AudioCrusher,
which doesn't require/use an ASPI layer.
Perhaps you might also try updating
your drive's firmware. Or perhaps you installed a program that loads
proprietary drivers for packet-writing software.
Another potential problem might come from installing *both* now Roxio and Nero's burning software in your system. I wrote to
both Roxio and Nero's tech support groups, and they both confirmed
that there is indeed a driver conflict between the two programs.
The solution offered by each tech support group was: don't install
the other company's software (duh). There are some workarounds available,
but these digital gymnastics weren't worth the hassle. This was a while ago, and the two companies may have since resolved the conflict.
I've never used Roxio's burning software, which is designed
for the beginner. It's popular cuz it's easy to use, and comes free
with many burners. My information dates from well over a year ago, so
perhaps this driver conflict has since been resolved. Reader have recently
written to say the problem has been resolved, while others say it hasn't.
Plextor
drives are generally considered the
best rippers [DAE]
& burners. See here for more info about -> [Ripping
CD Audio with Exact Audio Copy].
Using Non-Adaptec ASPI Drivers
Companies other than Adaptec (such as LSI
Logic, for example) also write ASPI drivers. These other
ASPI drivers *should* work fine .. but you don't have to use
a PC for very long to know that things don't always work the way they
should. =/ Can I get an amen, somebody?
There is a chance that the particular burning or ripping program that
you use was developed [by program developers] using ASPI drivers
different from the ones you're currently using. If your ASPI
drivers are different from those used by the developer of your particular
burning or ripping software, there's a chance that your system may experience
quirky
compatibility problems.
I've even seen instances where a different version of the same
brand of ASPI drivers (Adaptec) generated quirky compatibility issues
with a particular ripper. Adaptec's ASPI drivers are the closest thing
there is to a *standard*. At one time, the 'A' in ASPI
stood for Adaptec.
USB/Firewire devices
Update 15may2003: Dick Johnson writes to say:
I run both Win2K and XP. According to Goldenhawk,
using all four Adaptec ASPI drivers won't work with *any* USB or
Firewire devices. Their proposed solution is to use the Nero
driver wnaspi32.dll
in Win2K/XP, which supports all CD/DVD recorder interfaces.
I just replaced this file in my WINNT\system32 folder and it solved
the problem I had with my USB burner. Note this Nero driver won't
work in W98/ME! My ASPI layer looks like this:
ASPI32.SYS [Adaptec] 4.71.2
WOWPOST.EXE 4.6 (1021)
WINASPI.DLL 4.6 (1021)
WNASPI32.DLL [Nero] (2.0.1 = 131072 bytes)
Now I use the following software without a problem: Roxio 5 &
6, Nero, CDRWin, CloneCD, Alcohol 120, Musicmatch 7.5, Burn to the
Brim, Click-n-Burn Pro, DVDXCopy, NTI, Plextor, Power CDR Express,
Total Recorder, Fireburner, Veritas, Sonic, and a few others.
If you have trouble downloading the file from Nero, I've
mirrored it here:
wnaspi32.dll [160-KB, v2.0.1.74]. Another reader wrote to say:
WXP uses a SCSI "Pass Through" Interface
which does not require wnaspi32.dll unless a SCSI host adaptor is
installed. Then the proprietory drivers should be used.
The only driver required, that is 100% safe (it seems), is the Ahead
wnaspi32.dll copied into the \system directory, regardless
whether Nero is installed or
not. It more forgiving than the Adaptec version.
Other versions of wnaspi32.dll should be avoided as they are not compatible
with XP's deep level of hardware access.
Anyone with Nero installed on an XP system will find that disabling
IMAPI services will allow their PC to start faster. Nero
will also start faster, since it will be able to scan the bus faster.
Fireburner ASPI with Windows XP
I heard reports of problems with Fireburner when it is used in systems
running Windows XP. Fireburner
is apparently a front-end for ASPI, and Windows
XP won't let you access ASPI as a *User*. The solution is
to log in as an *Administrator*. The folks at Fireburner are reportedly
working on a fix, and may already have one.
Dusty wrote to say that he got Fireburner to work with Windows XP by
copying the following files to the Fireburner folder:
- wnaspi32.dll (one copy in \system32 folder; another
in \Fireburner)
- xaudio.dll
You can download these files here
(199KB), compliments of Dusty. He even included a nifty .nfo
file containing quick-n-dirty instructions. [You can open his .nfo
file with any text editor, such as NotePad.]
Update 02feb2002 - The nice folks at Firburner sent word that Fireburner
no longer requires ASPI drivers for Win2K or WinXP.
More ASPI-related Info
Learn more about the wonderful world of ASPI at Bart's,
.. Computall,
.. Plextor,.. Terry Burke's,.. Chicken Systems and Mike Richter's.
For your hypertext convenience, this ASPI guide can be found
at any of these fine Radified URLs:
It has become surprisingly popular since search engines discovered
it. Try searching for ASPI in either Google
or Yahoo,
and you'll see what I mean.
It began as a short note, containing a few links, to a computer-illiterate
friend who was having trouble burning CDs. It has since become the site's
second most popular feature, and is currently translated into more languages
[such as German,
French
and Italian]
than any other Radified guide. Only the Norton
Ghost User's Guide is requested more frequently.
Before closing, I want to mention <shameless plug> a few other
Radified guides you might find helpful. For example:
If I did a good job explaining the ASPI mojo, you shouldn't
have any further questions. But if you do, I started a
thread in the Rad forums, where you can post your ASPI-related queries
or share insights I might've overlooked. The end. Happy ripping
& burning.
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