Firmware for DVD burners???

[scott42]

I just got a new computer (hp a630n; I know all you computer guys are probably laughing at mebut hey, the price was right for what I need) and it has a Lite-on DVD+R burner...(sOHW-802S)
Now from what I understand, I could dl some firmware to make it a sOHW-832S and change it to a DVD+/-R burner...is this true and is it even worth it? Could I eff anything up by doing it?
thx

 

[scott42]

oh, thats encouraging...
I guess, it would just mean I go and get a new one for $60 or something...IF that were to happen
Thanks-
I was going based on the same place too
http://club.cdfreaks.com/lite/t-108480.html

 

[AndrewF150]

ouch....an HP?

DELL does a price match man. If you can get a print out of the system you just bought....specs along with the price DELL will price match it.

Call 1-800-901-3355 and check it out!

 

[scott42]

Yeah, its been a little too long to take it back I think. F it. I really just don't feel like going through the hassle, and its worked very well for what I need it for.
Thanks though...I'll remember that for next time

 

[Newf]

in the future, or if you screw yours up, look at NEC and Pioneer drives. They make great drives.

Good luck.

 

[scott42]

Sooo....anyone know how to do it?
I keep picking up the latest firmwares for the 812s/832s (to upgrade from my 802s) and it won't let me run them- Says "No matched drive detected, only for 812s drive...any thoughts directions?
Oh, and there's nothing I can find whatsoever that has anything, even info, on the 802s...not even on LiteOn's site.
Thanks newf

 

[Micah]

Just buy a better drive.

 

[scott42]

har har har. thanks Micah. I've learned my lesson

 

[Micah]

Plextor or Pioneer

 

[Micah]

And bear in mind, I'm fairly qualified to make the suggestion. I don't know many people who use as much hardware as I do.

Anyone else here have 2.3TB of native HD storage at home?

 

[scott42]

got it...read into that one a bit more kpabap...I think i have it now.

Thansk man

 

[Glowspeedp5]

Just do not buy Philips or Magnavox. I IT for them we have many issues with them.

 

[Micah]

I know. I think you've hooked me up with some really good information on this kind of stuff before. (nana) I appreciate it.
So, back to topic..."other than" getting a better drive, do you know how can I pull off the upgrade via firmware?
Thanks!

Check the post above - looks like he handled it.

A bit about firmware flashing:

Firmware flashing is great, and can be done with a greater level of success if you consider the following. DATE OF MANUFACTURE!!! Nothing could be more important than this. On an optical drive, you will usually find the date marked on the drive. If not, try using google and typing in info on the drive, eventually you will find someone who has recorded what they did, and what the details were on the drive.

Manufacturers make products to sell and profit. Quite often a company will manufacture the same product, and use firmware to set performance levels. This first became widely known (read: exploited) by Lite-on drives at the 32x speed when the 52x were available. A Simple firmware flash would update the drive, allowing for the faster speeds. Another drive which has become famous for this is the NEC 2500. The 2510 added DL support. Most 2500 drives can be sucessfully flashed to the 2510 firmware. However, it is worth noting that just because you can flash the drive to the new firmware and it powers up and is read by the computer - this doesn't mean that the drive will actually write discs. There are known issues with quality levels between product. There is a reason that technology equipment is binned according to performance. If a drive can't write within an acceptable limit of errors at one speed, it will be marked with the lower firmware and sold at that speed. Still a drives limits as defined usually leave a bit of room for error. In any case, it's worth a shot. You might also want to look into locating the original firmware incase the drive doesn't function as hoped/intended.

Short version, good luck - worst case scenario, you buy a new drive. Heck you might even be able to RMA it since it's in a new computer. Best bet would be to just bring it back to the place you bought it and exchange it for a new one.

 

[scott42]

thx; I do appreciate the help (RTM)(nana)

 

[Dexter]

I flashed my pen0s

 

[scott42]

Thank you Micah, Kpa, and also Dex, who is usually pretty funny, but came up a bit short this time.

 

[Micah]

So your saying Dex's "Pen0s" came up short?

 

[Micah]

Point well made about drives not being able to operate within a certain margin of error when pushed, but this firmware flash doesn't really change any speeds, rather it adds the ability to write DVD-R discs where the drive could only write DVD+R originally. I doubt the laser cares what kinds of bits it's writing

Yeah, I agree. Chipsets are usually pretty flexible with new firmware. I just flashed an old D-Link DI704 from firmware 2.0 to 4.1. It added a ton of features. I almost feel bad that I'm just using it as a gateway for my vonage.

 

[scott42]

Well, just to update you guys, because I'm sure you're dying to know
I f'd something up...not sure what is the issue...I'm pretty sure I've narrowed it down the the dvd burning software (123 CopyDvD) It pretty much blows and has screwed something up royally (just outright won't burn, screws up my ccApp somehow, won't let me open browsers and ultimately locks up the whole thing). Everything seems to be fine when I don't try to use it or uninstall it... So, back to the drawing board on burning DVD's...thought I did get a successful firmware patch through the previous link. Thanks again everyone for the help.