What Are Buffer Underrun Errors?
Optical storage mediums, such as CDs and DVDs, use laser light to store and retrieve information. Data are encoded on a disc in a single continuous spiral, similar to the way an old vinyl record worked. Burning data to a writable disc is typically a simple operation, requiring only a few mouse clicks to start. It is possible, however, to disrupt the burning process, especially while using older equipment, generating buffer underrun errors.
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Cause
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As a computer burns data to a disc, it must provide a steady stream of data at all times. If the flow of data is interrupted, gaps will appear on the disc, rendering it useless. To provide this continuous stream of data, the computer buffers the incoming data flow, preparing information to be burned ahead of the actual burning process. This allows for small delays while the computer is busy with something else to be absorbed by the buffer. If a burner is writing information to a disc faster than the computer can provide it, the burner will use up the entire buffer and run out of data to burn. When this occurs the burner will generate a buffer underrun error and the process will cease.
Prevention
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Buffer underrun problems can be managed by allowing the computer to use all its resources to perform the burn. Using a computer for other tasks while it is burning can hamper the computer just enough to cause the underun. The computer should not be used for other tasks while the burn is in progress and any other running programs and applications closed. Virus and spyware scanners can also be temporarily disabled to provide the computer with additional resources. It is also possible for a burner to operate faster than a computer is capable of handling. If the burner generates buffer underrun errors frequently, the burning speed should be lowered to something the computer is capable of keeping up with.
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Protection
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Many modern burners come with methods to help prevent buffer underruns. There are several techniques for this, such as actively moderating the speed of the burner. Underrun protection is marketed under different names depending on the manufacturer and each does the job slightly different. Drives that are marketed as using SafeBurn, BurnProof or similar terms all use a form of underrun protection. The protections are not foolproof and errors can still occur. Even though using an underrun protection will make the computer less susceptible to the error, they should still not be used for other tasks while a burn is in progress.
Overrun
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Buffer overrun errors sound similar to, and often mistaken for, buffer underrun errors. Buffer overrun occurs when data being written to the buffer runs over the buffer boundaries and begins to overwrite data in other memory blocks. This is often caused by a corrupted application or malicious software. If programs start generating overrun errors a virus scanner should be run immediately.
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