Problems with Pioneer DVR-A05.

[shoon]

Hello everyone. I'm pretty new at installing DVD writers and whatnot, but I am pretty sure I knew I was doing. However, here goes the ordeal:

The other day, I unpackaged a Pioneer DVR-A05, where I bought it from an online site for about $175. That was the best price I could find for it, so I went on and got it.

I studied the contents of the installation guide and decided to install it myself. Before I placed the Pioneer DVD writer in, I already had with me a DVD-rom (first slot) and a CD-RW writer in the second slot. When I opened the computer itself, I noticed what wires went with the CD-RW writer and unplugged them. I took out the CD-RW writer and replaced it with the DVD writer I just bought. I placed the Power cable in first (the one that I took out of the CD-RW writer), then the IDE interface cable, and lastly, the audio cable that came with the Pioneer DVD writer (I noticed that the audio cable for the CD-RW writer was in my sound card, so I took that out and replaced that audio cable with the DVD writer one).

I put my computer back together, thinking that was it. I put away the discarded CD-RW writer for the time being. When I turned everything back on and went to Windows, I decided to put in a CD just to open its contents (this was in my DVD-rom). At first, it was doing its thing, until it decided to stop reading and wouldn't go any further. I tried to open it through 'My Computer' but the D drive (which is my DVD-rom drive) said it didn't have a disc within the drive. This also appears to be the problem with the DVD writer too -- that it cannot read anything. When I keep a disc in one of the drives for a certain period of time, my Windows will freeze in place until I take out the disc from the drive -- then all is back to normal. Also, I think the computer cannot even pick up that the DVD writer was installed. Although Windows XP Pro idenitified a new drive, it did nothing to install or help.

While both drives do not read anything, I decided to put back my CD-RW writer and replace the newly bought DVD writer, just to see if my drives will manage to read anything again. In fact, when I installed the CD-RW writer back up in the second slot (putting all its plugs back into it and using its audio cable), it worked fine. The DVD-rom in slot 1 was able to read discs and in 'My Computer,' Windows indentified it was there.

I spoke with my friend earlier about this mess on trying to solve why the DVD writer isn't working with me correctly. And he told me that I should have been able to uninstall the CD-RW writer's contents before taking it out of the computer itself and installing the new DVD writer drive. However, I've reformatted my computer many times so it doesn't show the CD-RW writer contents on my computer anywhere. My friend now believes that the new DVD writer drive is a little messed (due to my speculation how I got it at such a cheap price), or that I should speak with the technical support that manufactured this DVD writer drive.

In any case, before I speak with the technical support, I thought it wise to come here and ask beforehand to see if you people know anything. I would truly appreciate it if someone could help me with it. I really want this drive to work for me, but nothing has helped. Please help.

- shoon -

[Excellerator]

Did you check to see if the Pioneer was set for SLAVE or MASTER on the jumpers in the back? Sounds like it should be set to SLAVE on the jumpers. The usually come configured for Master, which is what your CD-RW would be.

Just a thought?

[Excellerator]

Edit to that last message, I meant to say MASTER is what your DVD-ROM would be, SLAVE for the Pioneer 105.

[shoon]

How can you set it to SLAVE on the DVR-105?

[shoon]

Okay, I think I'm that much closer. I did place something into the SLAVE slot (a little device which was indeed in the MASTER slot). When Windows came up, it did show me it found a new drive, which I believe is good news, but seconds after that, the computer keeps on restarting during Windows! What do I do?

I even took it from the SLAVE slot and tried CABLE SELECT slot. Still, the same result.

[wickedlemon]

On the back of the DVD drive and DVD writer are some little pins, normally six - two rows of three columns - between the IDE connector and power. Normally they are labelled M for Master, S for Slave and C (which you don't need).

Make sure one of your drives has a jumper connecting the pins under M and the other under S. Normal practice is to make the burner Master.

[shoon]

I followed your instructions, wicked, but when Windows comes up, it doesn't tell me I have a new drive in it anymore. Both pins are in MASTER and SLAVE slot. You sure it isn't SLAVE and CABLE SELECT? Because when I open 'My Computer' and second click on D drive (which is normal DVD-rom), and press eject, both the DVD-rom AND DVD writer open. Makes me think that the DVD writer thinks it's the D drive as well, when it shouldn't.

[txpharoah]

Flash it with new firmware. OFFICIAL FIRMWARE! It may be corrupted from the previous owner. That can cause these kinds of errors.

Only plug in your Hard drive (IDE 1 master) and dvd-burner (IDE2 master). Eliminate the variables.

Set jumpers to either CABLE SELECT (what I do), or to MASTER (in case it is a stubborn system).

See what happens now.

[shoon]

Thanks for the help everyone, but I believe I got it working after putting the pins in SLAVE and CABLE SELECT. Ironically enough, when I did that, Windows restarted right after again, and I thought there could be no other solutions left. But when I went back to Windows once more, it said it had to clear an error and everything went well after that. However, I am scared if I shut down the thing. Hehe. Don't want it to go crazy after trying to boot back up again.

Thanks again.