Sony DW-U10A problem 2x not 4x

[northernstar]

Hi, I am new to this forum so please be gentle with me.

I have had a Sony DW-U10A (Original Firmware 1.1a) for about 11 months now, and after finding a reliable 4x disc (Datawrite Classic Yellow) have successfully burnt many at 4x.

The problem being that my drive recently started writing at 2x only, but reads 4x in Nero 5.10.20. I still get the option to write at 4x, so the drive recognizes the media ok, but just won't write at 4x.

I have tried changing the jumpers on my drive, but that didn't work so I changed them back to being set as a slave. DMA is enabled and I don't have any buffer problems. When I set them back to slave the 1st disc I tried burnt at 4x, so I thought problem solved (somehow). I was wrong the 2nd disc and everyone after that is burning at 2x again.

I have read many posts in this forum on the subject and most seem to point to flashing the firmware to resolve this. Is this the best solution or is my drive on it's way out due to over use?

Any help you guys can give is greatly appreciated.

[northernstar]

I have since tried burning with DVD Decryptor. I set it to burn at 4x, but it only burnt at 2x.

Any ideas?

[dlb]

I have the same drive and have only had a couple of coasters. Mainly due to bad media type. I have had great sucess with the media you are using.
Have you flashed the firmware on the drive. Mine is still on 1.1a I have also found that Nero can be a bit funny if the hard disc is defragmented.

I would suggest trying a differnt method of burning. Try copy2dvd.

Also make sure when burning you have no other applications running.

I have my driver set as Master and dvd-rom as slave.

Hope this helps.

dlb.

[northernstar]

Thanx for the advice dlb, but no success.

I haven't flashed the firmware, I still have 1.1a. I get a successful burn every time, but it only burns at 2x.

I have used Nero, DVD Decrypter and copy2dvd, but they all burn at 2x when they are set at 4x.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to resolve this?

[phonomas]

I have this drive and updated my firmware to a hack of the DRU510(d) firmware - I've been burning at 4x since. You might try that or if you don't want "hacked" firmware on your drive - I have heard there's a way you can "change" your drive into a Sony. It's still a hack but (afterwards) you can go to the Sony site and download the latest firmware. Check out this site. Good luck!


http://forum.rpc1.org/

[Hardcoreruss]

Did you change your media, I have the same drive on the same firmware and it is very picky about burning at 4x, as you say it gives the option but burns at 2.

[phonomas]

I use Ritek G04's no prob. (@ 4x)!

[JOHNO1]

do you use the sony for reading too

I used to get similar problems but only after I had ripped a disc that gave a lot of read errors.

try uninstalling the IDE controller then reboot, hopefully your next burn will be at 4x(I'm told there is some sort of 'error count' on XP and that this resets it)

[northernstar]

I have tried unistalling the IDE Controller - no luck still 2x. I don't use the drive for reading I use my Samsung dvd/cd-rw for reading discs.

My drive has always burnt at 4x didn't matter what 4x media I used, but I found that the Datawrite Classic Yellow 4x discs were the most reliable and have been using them for months. I'm going to get a few different types of discs and try them, in particular the Ritek G04's as they are supposed to be the best on the market.

After that I'll probably try the firmware hack to change my drive.

Thanx for all the advice guys.