I need DVD-RAM formatting help for LG GSA 4040B

[smellycanine]

HI, I purchased the 4040B recently. I purchased the white box, not the retail version. It did not come with a DVD-RAM disk, or drivers, which I got from this forum.

Its my first time to use DVD, and I am having problems using the burner to format a DVD-RAM

I am using Windows 2000 (sp4), so I have installed the DVD-RAM drivers.
I tried to get help from the LG website, and they suggested I install the drivers.....sigh

Every time I try to format in any file system I get an error:

Cannot format this disk.
Check disk and try again.
[ 0060 - 02053005 ]

I have tried changing the IDE channel around, switching IDE drivers, uninstalling, reinstalling, the drive and the IDE channels.
Each time I am able to burn to DVD-R but DVD Ram gives same error.
I have also tried on a Windows XP machine where I get an error that says Windows cannot format this disk....etc. But no number.

I am using a memorex disk that says DVD Ram 2.6 and is typeIV
I am sorry, being a noob to this media, I dont know what the numbers mean.

Did I buy an incompatible disk? Does anyone else with this drive have this problem with this type of disk?


Thank you for not flaming me, those that like to be mean to new users of this forum, I will just read the mean posts from other threads, that will do fine.

Those that have helpful responses, thank you very much, in advance.

[Sam Ontario]

You can only burn files not movies in DVD-RAM with LG4040. You can erase DVD-RAM with NERO or with any other DVD burning software.

[smellycanine]

I dont have any interest in movies.

I want to format the disk. I cant erase the disk in Nero, because it is not formatted. Or are you saying that Nero erasing the disk is the same as formatting? Nero reports Disk Not Present when I try to erase the disk.


Thanks for the reply.

[Synergy]

...I am using a memorex disk that says DVD Ram 2.6 and is typeIV...

Generally speaking, 4.7GB/9.4GB DVD-RAM discs can be formatted as FAT32, UDF 1.5, and UDF 2.0, while 2.6GB/5.2GB discs can be formatted as FAT32 and UDF 1.5. Type 4 indicates a double-sided DVD-RAM disc with a removable cartridge, and type 2 indicates a single-sided RAM disc with a removable cartridge. BTW, the GSA-4040B only accepts bare discs without cartridges.

If you have installed the RAM drivers properly, when you right click the RAM drive icon and select the "Format" option, you should see a window of DVDForm popping up as illustrated at the bottom page of the following link:

http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=204&page=Performance

If this is exactly what you experienced, then you may have a defective disc, and try to find another 4.7GB/9.4GB disc without cartridge. Otherwise , make sure the drivers are properly installed.

Hope this helps and good luck.

[Beams]

Help, can someone help me get directions or direct me on installing f/w for ram for this drive? Bought a OEM. Ritek 4X DVD-R and 2X DVD-RW work fine. Using Ritek DVD-RAM.

Win98SE

[Synergy]

See the last post of the following link for the DVD-RAM drivers download:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=185624

There is also a nice summary of DVD-RAM by Nic Wilson at the following link after clicking the DVD Media section:

http://www.dvdrrw.org/

[smellycanine]

Hey Thanks for the help, Synergy

"See the last post of the following link for the DVD-RAM drivers download: "

Yep thats where I got the drivers that I installed.

And yes the picture of the drivers in action are what I am seeing. So that's good.

Considering that the drive couldn't format the disk in either my computer nor the Windows XP machine, I am going to try another RAM disk. I hate to keep trying different media, spending money hoping to find the right one.

Oh hey that DVD-RAM link is really great. I am keeping a copy of that.

Much abliged

[Beams]

Synergy thanks for the reply. But I downloaded the ram driver but after extracting it I don't see any .txt files with instructions.

[Beams]

Tried loading driver software now it shows "no disk in drive". Do I need to do something else?

[balabas]

I received these drivers from another member on this board and posted them on my website. They working very well for me. The only problem i have so far - drive doesn't want to see Memorex DVD-RAM disks. TDK, Maxell work fine. Try different media.
You don't need any txt files or help with formatting. Just choose format and go. There are only two of them. FAT-32 and UDF-2 (UDF-1.5 is older format). Choose FAT-32 if you planning to access your disk from DOS.
Also Windows XP support DVD-RAM formatting without any drivers in FAT-32 format only, but i prefer to have original drivers from manufacturer.

[dcsos]

I bought my DVD ram drivers from
www.softarch.com
I had to because as an early adopter there were no free drivers available for DOWNLOAD...
So I format my dvd-rams in their software, not in the OS itself ..It recognizes every brand I've tried except HOTAN from china.....
Just a suggestion

This way I can UDF format it and play DVD MOVIES or TV SHOWS I've authored to the drive when I place the resultant disc in different computer's DVD-ROM when its NAKED (out of cartridge TYPE II)

[smellycanine]

I just wanted to update for anyone else buying this drive, or thinking about it.

I bought a Imation DVD-RAM. No problems, works fine.

My advice: DO NOT buy a Memorex DVD RAM disk for this drive.

[RedruM7]

I just wanted to update for anyone else buying this drive, or thinking about it.

I bought a Imation DVD-RAM. No problems, works fine.

My advice: DO NOT buy a Memorex DVD RAM disk for this drive.

That is probably the best advice for all DVD n00bs, except u need to expand Memorex DVD-RAM to all forms of recordable DVD's from Memorex (I foolishly bought up a 3pack of Memorex DVD-RW's) , because I'm sure many go on buying up these future coasters thinking they are as reliable as their CD-R counterparts. There should be a sticky post titled DO NOT BUY MEMOREX RECORDABLE DVDs because generally I've noticed that Memorex is not the most reliable DVD Media, yet its been one of the most popular makers of CD media for a long time. Also on a side note try avoiding Easy CD Creator with the LG, it can mess up the drivers that read and write DVDs, or you have to edit the registry to get rid of the bad drivers. Just some hints I've learned in the short time I've had my LG

[hech54]

I've got a question for ya'?
Where the F§$K do I put this "Ram Driver" from the installation CD?
Is it a DRIVER?....do I put it in Windows Drivers folder?
Is it a Program?....do I place it with my other programs....because I did that and the "program" does NOTHING. It just sits there with the little flashlight searching for something.....not sure what.

Any advice?

[RedruM7]

I've got a question for ya'?
Where the F§$K do I put this "Ram Driver" from the installation CD?
Is it a DRIVER?....do I put it in Windows Drivers folder?
Is it a Program?....do I place it with my other programs....because I did that and the "program" does NOTHING. It just sits there with the little flashlight searching for something.....not sure what.

Any advice?

If I'm not mistaken, I think you just autorun the install CD then click on DVD-Ram driver, then it should install it, then restart and it should work, also if you dident know they have updated the DVD-RAM driver for the LG so you might want to try that, its on the forum here somewhere.

[hech54]

So it IS a program and should be treated as such?
OK....I'll try a re-install but the last time none of the options besides the "read me" type stuff did anything....they just sat there searching for "something".
I put my RAM disc in the drive....it spun and never stopped. If it doesn't stop spinning....how can I even get the program to format it?

[smellycanine]

open the ram driver folder for your Operating system, find setup.exe, click it, follow instructions, reboot, done.

Windows XP you have to change the drive to not let it burn CD's so it can operate as a ram drive.

Its in the XP readme.txt.

you can get the drivers HERE:

http://www.jhcare.com/drivers

[MysticE]

For what it's worth the -RAM disc that comes with the LG is a Maxell 3X speed, ver. 2.1/3X. With the retail version the drivers are on B's disc. They appear to be the same.

[hech54]

Windows XP you have to change the drive to not let it burn CD's so it can operate as a ram drive.

OUCH....I thought that was what the readme said. Screw that. I'll use RW's to back up data.

[smellycanine]

It takes a couple of seconds to switch it back and forth. You dont have to reboot.

[lafamar]

Sorry Sam Ontario,
Only to clarify purpose.
You are wrong. Is not only files you can burn.
I burn my domestic movies into DVD-RAM for testing and it looks great. After I burn it into DVD-R.
Bye,

[lgmayka]

Windows XP you have to change the drive to not let it burn CD's so it can operate as a ram drive.

Perhaps you misunderstood. This "restriction" simply means that if you want to use the drive for DVD-RAM, you should turn off WinXP's (primitive) support for burning CDs. Instead, use Nero or whatever to burn your CDs.

Actually, I think that Nero et al. suggest that you turn off WinXP's (primitive) CD-burning capability anyway. It potentially interferes with their own more advanced capabilities.