How do I fix my dvd-r to write at 4x again?

[STORM100]

I installed the correct firmware for my pioneer AO5 (version 1.33)and it performed oustanding. My wonderful son used some cheap silver backed media to mack a back-up and now my writer will no longer burn at 4x. Is my writer ruined or can it be fixed?


Thank You in advance,
Storm

[pharlap]

sounds like dma has been turned off check to see if it is running
use nero infotool if yu have it

[tompika]

Yeah, uninstall the drive in Device Manager, reboot, let Windows find it.
Check DMA. Defrag your HDD. Run a virus check.

[garryheather]

Do a little dance. Make a little love. Get down tonight.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[tompika]

... but don't forget to use condom...

[STORM100]

Forgive my ignorance but what is DMA? I'm not the most experienced person when it comes to repairing computers.

storm

[tompika]

Direct Memory Access

[STORM100]

Okay I Uninstalled the drive, rebooted, checked the DMA, defragged the HDD and ran a Virus check. I tried everything possible and no improvement. I still cannot burn at 4x. Someone please help me out here. Once you get used to burning at 4x, it SUCKS to go back to 2x. The firmware version is 1.33 for the pioneer AO5U and I use RITEK media for my back-ups(general info).

Storm

[lordsmurf]

Clean it... he may have used dusty discs or dirty fingers.
Use IsoPropyl alcohol and a q-tip on the laser lens ... take it apart to do it ... do NOT use some crappy "cleaner" device

[hech54]

Are you POSITIVE you have 4x media?

[STORM100]

I'm positive, RITEK 4x and PRINCO 4x. Can't get anything higher than 2x out of it. If I flash it with the previous firmware and reboot and follow up with a reflash of the 1.33 upgrade will that fi the problem?

Storm

[handyguy]

You never know. Seems to be too much risk for just a speed change. try another writing program.

[clinkman]

I had the same problem. I upgraded my firmware and aspi drivers and was burning fine. Then it slowed down again. I finally figured out a program I installed changed my aspi drivers back to an old version. Now I have aspi check on my desktop to keep monitoring it.http://www.adaptec.com/worldwide/support/drivers_by_product.html?sess=no&cat=%2fProduc...ASPI%2BPackage

[Wetmonkey]

Sounds more like the firmware 1.33 check this out
http://forum.rpc1.org/viewtopic.php?t=12632&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

tons to read, though pioneer's official upgrades typically limit poor quality media by dropping their burn speed or removing them from the drive ability to burn then at all. They did the same with ritek media and the 104

[snoutmeat]

I've had the same problem with my 105. After 6 months of blissful 4x operation, it's now writing at 2x. I'm using the same media, I haven't updated the firmware. One big change I can point to is the installation of DVD X Copy Express, which was free after rebate at a Black Friday sale. I love DVDShrink, but I figured "what the heck -- can't hurt to have a backup program to use". I can't say 100% for sure that the drop to 2x happened at exactly the same moment as the installation of the software, but it's the only thing I can think of that's changed with the system. It's my video-only system, so it's not like it gets used for anything else. I've checked the DMA settings and have checked my ASPI drivers (I'm on 4.6, which should work fine, I think -- but I'll push it to 4.71 to see if it makes a difference. At the moment, I'm stumped.