Problem playing DVD9's with a Ricoh MP5125A

[Scobo]

My Ricoh MP5125A burner has never been too good at playing back DVD movies but recently seems to have given up playing any.
It has no trouble reading DVD+RW/R disks and CDs but with movies it just spins up for a few seconds then the drive light goes out.
The firmware is 1.38 at present.
Anyone else had this problem and solved it ?

[tompika]

I had bad luck with 1.27 and 1.38, burnt lots of coasters.
1.51 is my best friend.

Interesting because 1.06 works fine for a fella.
If you update don`t forget to backup the current FW just in case.

[goldmember1]

I've no problems playing any Discs in mine. Try your media player that could be your problem.
8) :P

[Scobo]

No it's doesn't get as far as trying to play the movie.
My DVD software doesn't load. It simply can't read the discs !
The discs name doesn't even appear against the drive icon in My Computer.
I'm thinking the laser may be faulty.

[goldmember1]

As tompika said you could check your firmware & update it. You didn’t say if this was a new problem, did it play discs before. If it’s under guarantee get it changed for a new one. I would consider my Ricoh a little gem.

[Scobo]

Problem solved !
Updated firmware to 1.51 and everythings fine now.

[tompika]

Glad to hear it.

A patched one is available on The Firmware Page.

[Scobo]

Tompika, what benefits does the patched firmware provide and can you provide me a link to it.
I'm still having some bother even with 1.51.
The drive still seems to be having trouble reading certain parts of some DVD9s.

Thanks in advance.

[tompika]

Makes it region free. www.firmware-flash.com

But if those reading problems still exist, shouldn`t flash it with that one as you can loose the warranty.