FLASHING Memorex HP200 SONY120 Philips with RICOH Firmware

[tompika]

• How to flash
  SONY120, MEMOREX, HP200, AOPEN, PHILIPS,
  TRAXDATA, CYQ'VE,... 2.4x burners
  with the latest RICOH 1.64 firmware.

I found the Ricoh Updater Program pretty safe but still consider it dangerous procedure.
Use it at your own risk! Bad flashing could destroy your drive definitively.

Please visit these links for Successful Upgrade before flashing your drive.

• www.ricoh.co.jp/dvd/asia/support/download/how_win.html
  www.ricoh.co.jp/dvd/asia/support/faq/allmodels/driver_d.html
  www.ricoh.co.jp/dvd/asia/support/faq
  www.firmware-flash.com

Benefits of the latest 1.64 Firmware for Ricoh 5125 type (2.4xDVD+RW/+R) burners (not 5120!)
The other manufacturers' FWs below are one (two-three) step behind: 1.51, 1.38, 1.27,...

• improved reading and writing strategy
• better compatibility with new and/or 4x medias (won't burn at 4xspeed!)
• the first Ricoh firmware that supports media info on BLANK DVD ( see DVDInfo PRO )
• the Sony 120 firmwares don't support bitsetting

OEM RICOH 5125 burners:

• Memorex 2.4xDVD+RW/+R or DVD recorder100 firmware Here
• Sony DRU 120 firmware Here
• HP 200 firmware Here
• Philips DVD+RW/+R burners firmwares Here
  (some versions have 1.62? FW, I don't know how they work)
• CyQ've 2400 firmware Here
• Aopen DVD+RW 2412 firmware Here
• Traxdata DVD+RW RW-5125A firmware Here

Traxdata and some Aopen known to have Ricoh RW5125A firmware so you don't have to trick

• Just click here and update.
  Edit: Aopen now has the 1.64 FW
  If it won't let you then reboot the drive and do the trick as below

Why need a trick to flash them

• Because most burners above are loaded with firmwares that have different ID
  than the one we're gonna flash so the Flash Program won't let you change it.
  Fortunately it doesn't care about if you replace the firmware (that has the same name)
  after it is launched (but before starting the update)
  
  BE AWARE that your drive will be renamed to Ricoh MP5125A so the bundled softwares
  (restricted versions) may not cooperate with it anymore

What we need to do the TRICKY update:

• The latest Ricoh Flash Program, (some older ones and Sony's have issues)
• Firmware (as dummy) with an ID that matches your drive
  (the manufacturer's original or region hacked) see links above
• The latest 1.64 Ricoh FW (we're gonna use the rpc1-regionfree)

What the program needs:

• The Ricoh Flash Program needs the firmware ( 1MB ) in the same directory
  so it can find it and overwrite the old one. And of course one of those drives above.

I'm gonna explain it a FOOLPROOF WAY (even my wife would understand)
Of course it can be done much faster but this meant to be a guide.
Lets say we have a Sony drive (with a 1.13 FW)

1. Create two folders: SONY and RICOH
2. Download the latest Flash Program Here Copy to your SONY folder


3. Download any Sony120 firmware (as dummy) Here
Loose the older Flash program that usually comes with it
you need the .ric file (1024 KB), copy to your SONY Folder


4. Download the Ricoh MP5125A 1.64 rpc1 (regionfree) FW Here
Same, loose the program, copy the .ric file to your RICOH folder

5. Exit all programs, application, internet etc... Remove the disc from the drive.
6. Open your two folders SONY and RICOH. Resize them.
Rename BOTH firmwares. Lets say both are "BEER" now, hehehe.....

7. Launch the Flash Program from SONY folder. If the target dirve and source file (Sony's firmware)
are not pre-selected then do it. There is only one firmware in this directory so it's simple
Saving current FW is optional. Press NEXT. After this don't touch Target and Source anymore.

8. This is the tricky part: Copy RICOH's firmware to SONY folder. Let Windows replace the file.

9. Now you are ready to flash. Check if everything is OK. Take a deep breath. Press START.

10. Do not touch anything. In about a minute you should see this. REBOOT THE DRIVE and your PC
(Should you have a problem with flashing: reboot, check everything and try again.
Visit Ricoh website as linked on the top.)



Now go download DVD Info PRO (NicW) HERE and enjoy the info on BLANK MEDIA
and the extended BITSETTER utility


Edit: For HP200 use the original 1.06 as dummy fom rpc1.org because the others are .BIN files instead of .RIC an could cause problems

[ofbarea]

Hmm....

I think I'm going to try to update my HP200i tonight.

Hope it works

[ofbarea]

Now my HP200i thinks it's a Ricoh.

Everything worked fine.

[tompika]

Great!!!

Don't forget to set the drives default booktype to DVD-ROM
as it was with the original HP200 firmware.

Regards, tompika

[kabanero]

Hi tompika,

I have a question for you:

If I flash my HP200i to Ricoh 1.64 firmware, can I then flash it back to HP firmware?

I am asking this because:

1. My fist drive stopped burning and reading DVDs, while still burning and reading CDs. I called HP and they replaced the drive with another one.
2. My HP one year warranty is about to expire, BUT I have extended warranty from Circuit City for another four years.
3. The point is, if I flash firmware to Ricoh, and my HP drive dies again later, and when I call Circuit City for replacement, I guess the drive must look like HP, not Ricoh, because I guess Circuit City will void the warranty.

Thanks.

[tompika]

As you can see on the pics there is an option to save the current firmware.


The FW contains a code (extra info) but the serial remains the same


Backup your original FW so you can flash it back anytime with the trick.
(of course you're gonna have to use a Ricoh FW as dummy and switch with a HP one to reverse)

But what if the drive dies for good? Can't flash it back.

If you're having second thoughts don't do it.

[tompika]

UPDATE: Aopen has released its 1.64 firmware, no trick necessary!
http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=307


A couple of threads similar to this one
www.dvdrhelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=623606
www.dvdrhelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=636243



DVDInfoPRO is best at
Bitsetting: www.dvdrhelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=604577
Erasing/formatting: www.dvdrhelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=628410

It's FREE but $10 donation gives you the ADVERT-FREE version
See for yourself: www.dvdinfopro.com

[Alverman]

Hi, guys!

How can I use this trick on my Verbatim DVD+RW (another ricoh 5125) wich hasn't any original firmware update?

Can I backup the original one to use it as dummy?

Please help me!

[tompika]

Does the drive report as Verbatim DVD+RW/R?

What is the firmware exactly?

Check it like this:

[Alverman]

The driver is simply listed as

DVD+RW RW5125

and th firmware is the 1.27

thanks a lot for your help!

[tompika]

Then you need the Ricoh RW5125 firmware
No trick necassary. Get the latest RFlash8.5 (link above) and the firmware
http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=319

[Alverman]

Thank you Tompika!!!

It works perfectly

[ofbarea]

Now the firmware to use is Ricoh 5125A version 1.68. You can get the RPC1 firmware in here: http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=319

If you have an HP DVD200i you may want to go back to HP firmware. Just install HP version 1.65 witch has the same functionality as Ricoh 1.68. You can get the RPC1 firmware in here: http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=309

Since my DVD200i burner was already using Ricoh 1.64 firmware, I just flashed to version 1.68 to avoid installing all HP crappy software.

[misterchuckles]

Hey tompika, great article. I'm confused on how this applies to an HP200i though. HP200i firmware uses a BIN file not a RIC file. I even tried renaming the Ricoh RIC file to bin and attempted the flash, but no success. What do you suggest?

Thanks!

[tompika]

Hi

Please read this thread
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=213114

I'm sending the modified RFlash601.exe that will give you the ID code of your current firmware.
Any problem just email me.

BTW, HP has released the 1.65 fw (probably equal to Ricoh's 1.68 )
http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=309

[kabanero]

It is 1.72 now: Release Date: 2004-03-25 Version: 1.72

1.72

[tompika]

Thanks, kabanero...

[ofbarea]

No RPC1 firmware version for HP DVD200i 1.72 yet. Anyway I'm still very happy with the just a bit older Ricoh RPC1 firmware.

[ofbarea]

Ricoh released firmware 1.72 for MP-5125A also. Still no RPC1 version available.

You can get it in herehttp://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=318

[ofbarea]

Ricoh released firmware 1.72 for MP-5125A also. Now we have RPC1 version for it.

Get the latest firmware in here:
http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=318

Thanks to The Firmware Page and Dean to make this possible.

[steven357]

I have a Memorex MP5125A. Tried this method, but not able to flash.

Cannot update for different Type Code.

*** NG ** NG ** NG ***

Make sure Selected Source File.

I am about to chuck this drive because it has such a hard time with new media. Was hoping new FW would give it life. Memorex site s#cks for finding FW for it and in my search I stumbled upon your alternative method.
Any info on why I can not flash my drive would be appeciated!

[tompika]

Please provide ALL the details.

[steven357]

Please provide ALL the details.

My drive is a Memorex MP5125A DVD+RW/+R 2.4X8AA. (Has "JustLink" on drive door)
I followed the steps above to flash the drive with the RICOH firmware but the flash utility gives me "Cannot update for different Type Code."
Sorry, I am not sure what other info you require.
Can this drive be flashed with this firmware or am I barking up the wrong tree? AFAIK, memorex has no FW updates available for this drive...either that or I am missing something at their site.


BTW, Bricktop makes a great avatar.

EDIT: Oope I missed these. Should I use this? http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?category=4&manufactor=20

[tompika]

Try this one:
http://www.memorex.com/downloads/software/DVD172.zip

Straight flash, no trick!

[sneakemail]

Hi all.
I need help please.
I have a HP DVD200i (j). I bought 10 x Datawrite DVD+RW's 2 days ago and forgot that they have to be formatted before use (since i haven't bought DVD+RW's for around 2 yrs). I couldn't work out why they wouldn't work properly and I think I fiddled with the bitsettings in DVD Info Pro without really knowing what I was doing. Anyhow, after a few (it think spoilt) DVD+RW discs, I decided to upgrade the firmware anyway, which I had been considering doing for a while.
So, I went ahead with the instructions on this page and it is now running as a RICOH 5125A V.1.68, but with occasional read problems. ie: it will record DVD+R's but is tempremental when playing discs using either WinDVD or PowerDVD. Now, I dont know if maybe I am doing something wrong, but I cannot get a DVD+RW to work with Nero. Nero used to work fine with my discs, but I am finding that the disc either becomes unusable (Nero says Illegal Disc) or after burning data to one, the disc is still 'empty'.
I have tried to revert to my HP firmware using the backup facility on the firmware flashing utility but it seems as though the flasher wont recognise the backup file, presumably because its a HP backup?
So, im stuck with a tempremental DVD+R drive and 10 unusuable DVD+RW discs.
I would be happy to stick with the RICOH if I can get it to accept my DVD+RW's and be able to use them as normal, however, if this isn't possible, id like to revert back to my HP firmware.

What would you guys suggest please?
Any help greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

current bitsettings (DVDInfoPro):
DVD+R = DVD-ROM
DVD+RW= DVD-ROM

[tompika]

I don't think there's anything wrong here.

I would do a quick erasing or a full one with DVDInfo PRO or DVD Decrypter, see if it helps.
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1143500#1143500

[sneakemail]

Hi.
Thanks very much for looking at my q. and for your reply.
The two day pre-post wait is a long one, lol.

I have tried to erase / format the discs with Nero. The latest error message I have received with Nero is:
"
RICOH DVD+RW MP5125 :
Specified host adapter invalid
RICOH DVD+RW MP5125\H2 T2
Please insert a rewritable disc.
"
While DVD Decrypter V.3.2.2.0 doesnt even pick up / recognise / list the drive in its gui.

Thank you.

(Update: my error with DVD Decrypter.... it was set to SPTI, so changed it to ASPI and it is recognising and listing it now.)

[tompika]

DVDInfo PRO erases better than Nero. Try it.

If that doesn't help, try to flash it to 1.72
http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=318

[sneakemail]

Thanks.
I have already tied DVD Info Pro, so I think i will try to flash it again.
However, when i run the flash utility bundled in the file you mention, the .ric file is not automatically loaded into the 'source file' drop down box.

Thanks again.

[tompika]

You want to try the rpc one: