Magic Spin DVD 8x writer firmware updates question

[donhov]

Purchased a Magic Spin 8X dvd +/- writer from Office Max foir $89 and it came with the 110E firmware. Following what few threads about similuar drives on this site I am guessing that it may be the Optirite drive. When I call the supplied customer service tech line I get IoMagic. Anyways on to the question. Do I understand that I can firmware update to 120 E and retain all current features, or go to 130 E(or I)( I think) and loose the cd overwrite but still gain many features. If so how do I get to the firmware updates. My drive is identified a "GENERIC DVD RW 8XMAX " and the IoMagic site will not give me any updates. If not the IoMagic drive any suggestions?

Other wise it seems to be a pretty good drive. have been using Princo 1X media (write at 2X) (50 free disks given to me) and other than some of my mistakes have burnt about 95% good. Coasters have been my fault not the media. In fact I bought some HP 2.4 (unknown brand) and couldn't burn a good one. Gave away the 25 pack after burning 5 bad ones in a row. Must have been the media.

Anyways, hoping the firmware update will help support higher burning speeds and more media.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Please advise of any help you can supply including the web site.

Thanks - Don

[ntngod]

Here's the page I get the firmware for mine from:
(I have the same re-labeled Optorite drive from OM; there's an Accesstek sticker on the top of the drive)

http://www.accesstek.com.tw/_english/2_product/03_appendix.php?hID=2

130I is the one you want, not 130E.

(The page isn't always up, unfortunately - it's down as I type this)



Regarding the HP disks, I bought a 25-pack for $10 (before a $10 mail-in rebate), and they all burned fine even before I flashed from the 110 firmware...

[donhov]

Help please on above flash information.

Tried the 120E and it wouldn't run, tried the 130I and seemed to flash OK. Will not reflash though as I tried. Drive seems much slower now. Wonder if anyone has the original 110E flash for this drive. It does not look anything like the DD0401 in the picture on the Accestek site, though I do understand there are many versions of items. But the door on mine is just straignt, while the one on thier site has a curved door. Hope I haven't screwed this thing up majorly.

Again any help would be greatly appreciated.

Don
PS I'm not a newbe to this kind of thing but beginning to feel like one.

[donhov]

OK this is just my stupidy. Guess when you are over 60 Years old and have had only 4 hours sleep the last 2 days you make stupid mistakes. Solved my problems very simply.

Guess you have to do more than re-boot. I should have known that, you need to power down and re-power up for the flash to complete and for Windows XP to re-do the registry. Did power down and all seems fine.

Thanks for the assistance.

Overalll do like this drive. I know there are better but for the price and what I want it for it seems to work fine.

Thnaks again...Don[/b]

[donkey_puncher]

I've got the exact same drive and it also came with the 110E firmware. It burned every disk I tried to use in it, but when burning at 8X it took about 12 minutes per disk. That was too long. I flashed to 130I and now it burnes my 4X Imation media at 8X and it only takes about 9 minutes. The 130I firmware gives you increased media compatability as well. The only drawback is that it disables HD-Burn. This is not a factor in my case as I don't use it, but for some of you it might come into play. I love this burner and it has not missed a beat yet. Not a single coaster.

[The village idiot]

HD burn is not compatible with other readers, so losing the feature may not be a bad thing. If you want to make sure you have the DD0401 look at the sticker on top of the drive. If it says the model is DD0401, then you have an Optorite generic. Also if the firmware will flash the drive, then you have the proper manufacturer, the flash utilities will check to see if it is the proper drive. That's why you can't use the 130E firmware (I tried). Mine works fine on the 130I firmware too.

[ubiquityman]

The MSI 130D Firmware also works and supports HD Burn.
Search the web for "MSI 130D firmware" and you should find some hits.