Re: QSI SBW-241 with VX08 Firmware update CDRW DVD combo drive

paulmd@xxxxxxx wrote:
On Mar 19, 4:27 am, mike <spam...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
pau...@xxxxxxx wrote:
On Mar 15, 3:22 pm, mike <spam...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I bought a used DVDrom/CDRW drive
QSI SBW-241 with VX08 Firmware.
It plays movie DVD, but won't read a data dvd-R
It burns 10X CDRW and plays 'em back
It won't rip a music CD
If I run scandisk or a similar media scanner on it,
it shows the whole surface corrupt...even when it can read flawlessly.
Scandisk can't do CDs. Most other scanners designed for hard drives
and other media just don't do cds. No worries there.
Ok, I'll be more precise. I ran the scandisk function from Nero
CD-DVDSpeed. Works fine on CD/DVD's on all my other drives.



There's lots of noise on the web about compatibility with this drive.
Much of it has broken links.
There's no obvious remaining fw link on the vendor site.
According to their FAQ, there's NO firmware available from QSI's
website.
http://www.qsinc.com.tw/qsi/Official_QA_en
4. Can end-users obtain firmware from QSI website:

No, QSI doesn!|t support firmware service on website.



So their translator needs a few more English lessons....
QSI doesn't list this drive on the 'products' page any more
Given the probles you report, and the tone of QSI's faq, I suspect
this drive has a riplock feature. (well, feature is too kind a word,
but the one I want to use is unprintable :) )
However, i have found firmware for the drive by following tracing the
"dvd copy and control association" mentioned in the FAQ to Wikipedia,
to the link on the RIPLOCK bullet, and eventually found firmware for
it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD_Copy_Control_Association
This is the first I've seen riplock. I've seen dvd drives that
rip slowly. This QSI doesn't rip at all. Get one steady stream of
errors from EAC. Same as get steady stream of errors from scandisk
from CD-DVDSpeed. I really don't care if this drive can rip.
Was just another symptom that might help narrow down the options.

http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?category=15&manufactor=33
Yep, that's where I got the sony and HP versions of the firmware.
And this is also where the water gets muddy with regon-free hacks.


HP often makes CD firmware available direct on their website, problem
is, you have to know which model laptop the drive shipped in.




http://etna.rpc1.org/qsi/index.html
Yep, downloaded this too. This page is even more cryptic about
what the updates do. Seems to be region-free stuff too.


rpc1, in the domain of the website refers to the following.

"RPC-1: There is a region code present on the drive, and it will be
changed if a DVD from another region is read. Usually, there is no
limit on the number of changes that can be done to the DVD region. "

Wikipedia quote








This might fix the ripping issue. Don't know about the dvd-r
compatibility issue. Unless it's just a dirty lens.
Cleaning the lens and the media was the first thing I tried.

Try cleaning the

lens with isopropyl alcohol and a q-tip. DVD-Rs are less reflective
than factory DVDS, and therefor it's entirely possible for a drive
with a slightly dirty lens to read the factory disks, but not burns.
Worst case is you get a new drive that actually works right.
Well...I've got this $3 laptop that I just invested another $2 on the
DVD. Hate to see the big bux go to waste without at least trying.


LOL. For a grand total of a cheeseburger, fires and a drink, you seem
to have got basic functionality out of it. What more do you want? :)

For 5 bucks you can experiment without breaking the bank.




Problem is that it will read a data CD. It will read/write a CDRW.
It will play a movie. It's usable like it is. I'm just
annoyed that it isn't "right". I'm flip-flopping between
"leave it alone" and "what the hell"...



Much of what's left is of the form "this should work...".
HP has an update, but I have the sony version.
Same drive, different faceplate.
Sounds like the HP stuff is the one to try if it's not locked out.





There may be bios lock issues with the updater. I have neither
the hp/compaq or the sony laptop.
Then there are the region-free hacks that get all mixed up in this.
So, has anybody got real-life personal experience with this drive
and can point me to the optimal firmware upgrade that won't kill it and
be upgradable installed in my Dell?
Thanks, mike
I've never managed to kill an optical drive by upgrading firmware.
And unlike the BIOS on a motherboard, you aren't dead in the water if
it fails, you can always attempt to re-flash, or just replace the
unit.
I have read reports that people have killed this drive with the flash.
But you never know the circumstances. I have encountered drives of this
vintage that required a driver to work at all in windows. That may have
been the issue flashing with the wrong vendor code.

Thanks for the help.
mike


Flashing fails most often if the user is an idiot, and reboots the
machine before the flash completes, or is unlucky enough to have the
power go out in the middle of the process.

Also, people may have issues using the wrong firmware. Or sometimes
flashing is used to attempt to revive a dead drive (rarely works).

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I bit the bullet and tried the hp upgrade. Seems to work mostly now.
It can't read the first part of a DVD-RW. Don't know exactly how much
that is, one square on the scandisk run. Thought it might be mechanical, so I cleaned and greased the slides on the laser carriage.
No problem with DVD-R tho.
So, for what I need, I'm a happy camper. Best $2 I've spent this week.
Thanks for the advice.
mike

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Return address is VALID!
Bunch-O-Stuff Forsale Here:
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