G3 CD-RW "connection not stable"

[jg::]

Hi!

I replaced the CD-ROM on my beige G3-266 with an IBM-brand CDRW (ID = CD-RW52XMAX), and it's been working fine for a year now, happily burning and reading both audio and data CDs, using Toast 5.0. Until today.

Now, suddenly, I'm repeatedly getting a message: "Interface error -9356
The connection is not stable". This occurs after the cache is filled and burning starts for a few seconds, then error message and freeze. A coaster is created.

I tried disabling the Iomega Zip extension that I found was still active (even though Zip was removed several years ago), but no difference - coasters continue.

Nothing has changed on the machine - it's been stable for years, which is why I still use it

Any suggestions, or suggestions about where I might find help?

Thanks,

jg::

 

[Badger]

I began to get that message after a memory chip went bad. This was on an iMac 333 with an MCE CD-RW internal burner with Toast 5. Once the chip was replaced everything returned to normal.
Badger

 

[jg::]

I began to get that message after a memory chip went bad. This was on an iMac 333 with an MCE CD-RW internal burner with Toast 5. Once the chip was replaced everything returned to normal.
Badger

Thanks, Badger, I appreciate the response.

If a memory chip was bad, then I'd also expect to see other problems creeping in, such as, not being able to load multiple memory-hungry applications all at once.

Any other way to check if my RAM is still healthy?

jg::

 

[Badger]

For me, the problem burning CDs was the first sign of a problem. It was intermitent, about 1 of 3 burns, and did not show on either the mac memory check or with the Techtool hardware checks. Eventually other problems surfaced and as a last resort I pulled the 256mb memory chips and reinstalled the old 96mg configuration. The problems stopped. After some more swapping to confirm it, I replaced the 256mg chips with new ones and all has been well. In any case good luck.
Badger