followed directions, but games are still freezing

hi list,

i've searched the archives and have found posts by 'big papa' and 'igottashit666' - both posters have been very helpful. i did not find a definitive answer to my problem though.

sometimes when playing a game, the game will lock up and return to the intro dc screen (the screen with the 4 dancing icons). sometimes it happens 5 minutes into the game, other times it happens an hour into the game. because of this, i don't think it's a heat issue (although i have tried playing the dc upside down - as 'igottashit666' suggested in another post. no luck.

here's my setup:
burner: plextor 8/20 w/latest firmware
disc juggler v3.00.736-FTU (able to burn 2.0 images)
cdr-win 3.8A (block: 2368, mode1, cd-rom)
media: verbatim datalife plus 80min
i never burn faster than 2x

most of the games that i have come in .rar format so i'm assuming that the dummy files are included. i have never included a dummy file. the only time i've heard the grinding noise is with 'powerstone 2' (kalisto release) which i'm thinking about reburning after i add a dummy file to it. i'm new to the dc scene, but not to new to burning.

any tips at all would be great.

-tofu
icq: 3681712

*i was bummed when shenmue locked up after an hour of playing...