A sense key error is an error reported to Toast by the recorder during burning – usually with an error code directly from the firmware of the recorder.

These error codes are often cryptic and are specific to the particular manufacturer of the recorder.

Sense key errors are most commonly caused by:
– Out of date firmware
– Incompatibile media (the recorder does not like the particular brand, or that piece of media)
– A buffer underrun (the recorder was trying to burn the disc faster than the computer could send data to it)
– Recorder failure (the recorder may be broken or about to break)

Possible solutions include:
1. Make sure buffer underrun prevention is turned on
In the Recording Settings sheet, Advanced tab, make sure to check “Buffer Underrun Prevention”
2. Burn at a slower speed. In the Recording Settings sheet, Basic tab, make sure to choose “1x” as the Write Speed.
If the disc burns successfully, try choosing 2x the next time, then 4x, etc. Toast 7 Titanium users can check the speeds supported by the media by using the new Disc Info dialog.
3. Change your media. Switch to a different brand of media, or try a different piece from the same batch. Most DVD/CD writer manufacturer’s have recommneded media for their burners. Check with the manufacturer of the drive to see what brands they recommend. Toast 7 Titanium users can check the manufacturer by using the new Disc Info dialog.
Also see www.nomorecoasters.com for information on choosing high quality media.
4. Save as a disc image first. After preparing your disc, choose “File > Save As Disc Image” instead of burning. This will save the entire disc to your hard disk first, you can then use the “Image File Copy” option in Toast to burn.
5. Use a different recorder. If a recorder is consistently giving errors, it may be failing. Trying to burn your disc on another computer or another recorder may help isolate the issue.
6. Do less on your computer while burning such as copying files or other processor intensive tasks. Also, do not do any file activity that would attempt to modify the underlying source files while preparing the disc or recording it.
7. Update your firmware. Check with the manufacturer of your writer and see if they have any formaware updates for it.

For OS 9 USers
1. Confirm you have updated to OS 9.2.2.
2. Confirm you have the latest Toast update from:
http://www.roxio.com/en/support/software_updates.jhtml
3. Confirm you have the latest firmware installed for your recorder.
4. Setup a minimal extension set as follows:
Use the extension manager and choose the Mac OS 9.2.2 Base set of extensions.
Using the button in the bottom right corner, duplicate the base set and name it something easy to remember (for example: “Toast”)
Scroll down the list of extensions and de-select “Firewire Authoring Support” and “USB Authoring Support”.
Select any extensions that begin with the word “Toast”
Reboot and test with this set.
5. Test with another brand or color of recordable disc.
6. If the problem persists, test with another burner.

Knowledge Base