PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-111D PROBLEM

[chris18]

I have been having a problem recently with my writer, mainly when trying to erase DVD+RW discs. These are Verbatim 4X discs that I've used repeatedly over recent months.

I can't remember the exact sequence of events lately so I will stick to what I've found today.

I installed the writer on my wife's PC yesterday and burnt a disc. I then reinstalled the writer in my PC. The actual disc plays perfectly on my PC.

If I then try and erase the disc using Nero Express 6 OEM I get the following message:

PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-111D
Disc Not present
Please insert a rewritable disc.

If I then check with DVD Identifier it correctly identifys the drive and it's capabilities i.e

PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-111D-[FW1.06]-[ATAPI]
DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL

The writer is set as Master on the Secondary ATA Channel (according to Device Manager). I then get the following report when trying to identify the disc .

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unique Disc Identifier : [Not Available]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disc & Book Type : [Not Available] - [Not Available]
Manufacturer Name : [This Info Will Be Retrieved From Manufacturer Database]
Manufacturer ID : [Not Available]
Blank Disc Capacity : [Decimal GB (1000) Followed By Binary GiB (1024)]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ DVD Identifier V5.0.1 - http://DVD.Identifier.CDfreaks.com ]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:19:03] DVD Identifier V5.0.1
[15:19:03] Initializing Drive Interface [Auto-Select ASPI/SPTI]
[15:19:03] SPTI Drive Interface Successfully Initialized
[15:19:03] 1 Supported Drive Found (Out Of 3 Available Drives)
[15:19:03] Manufacturer Database [08-OCT-06@727$93] Loaded From File : (@727$93) Entries Found
[15:19:03] Internet Version Check Postponed Since Last Check Happened Less Than 1 Hour Ago
[15:19:20] ERROR : Unsupported Medium Detected
[15:19:20] INFO : Disc Identification Requires DVD, HD DVD or Blu-ray Recorder And Matching Media
[15:20:00] DVD+R/+RW Medium Information Copied To Clipboard
[15:20:25] ERROR : Unsupported Medium Detected
[15:20:25] INFO : Disc Identification Requires DVD, HD DVD or Blu-ray Recorder And Matching Media

Checking with DVdInfo Pro gives the following:

Disc Regions are 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Media code/Manufacturer ID N/A Pressed DVD
UDF Format Type V1.02
UDF Volume Name TITLE REMOVED BY ME
UDF Application id ELBY CLONEDVD
UDF Implementation id ELABORATE BYTES
UDF Recording Date/Time (mm/dd/yyyy) 8/28/2006 20:55:04
Format Capacity 4.38GB(4.70GB)
Book Type DVD-ROM
Media Type DVD-ROM
Data area starting sector 30000h
Data area end sector 23053Fh
Linear Density 0.267um/bit
Track Density 0.74um/track
Number of Layers 1

I don't know if this is relevant but I installed Kprobe earlier today and ran it a couple of times but it didn't list my drive and then the next time I tried caused a fatal error in Windows XP Pro forcing it to close down. It did this twice so I've uninstalled it.

I know my firmware needs updating, the latest is v1.29 but I'm holding off doing this until I can resolve the problem. Incidentally if/when I do the upgrade do I just run the .exe file I've downloaded from the Pioneer Support site?

I think I need this anyway because I have some Datawrite Classic 2X DVD-RW discs (they have yellow and black writing on the face) that aren't recognised. Nero sticks on Checking Discs wheni try a burn.

As far as I remember the The only software I've installed just prior to noticing the problem was MS ActiveSync that I need to update my GPS.

The writer is still under warranty but I want to be sure it's a hardware problem, not software, before seeking a replacement. I have incidentally removed the writer in device manager so that XP reinstalls the drivers but this hasn't made any difference.

To date buring DVD+R/DVD-R hasn't been a problem.

I would appreciate any help in identifying what the problem might be?

[bevills1]

Check http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=197846 for solution. Problem is likely Nero bug according to that post. Are you running Nero 6.6 with latest updates? I've had no problems with that Nero version, but I cross flashed to 111L which may or may not make a difference.

[chris18]

Thanks for the link, that looks exactly like the problem I'm having

I have been using Nero 7 Premium for sometime and it seemed OK. The problem seemed to start just around the time I installed MS ActiveSync and the software for updating my GPS. As an experiment I uninstalled Nero 7 Premium and installed the Nero 6 OEM that came with the writer but it didn't seem to make any difference but perhaps there was a residue of Nero 7 still in my system. I have now restored an image to the point just prior to installing MS Activesync to see if that makes any difference. That has Nero 7 Premium installed.

I did write a DVD+RW with the writer when it was installed on my wife's PC using DPCD DVD Burn 1.0 beta 2 as an experiment. It burnt OK but was very slow. When I put the writer back in mine I got the erase problem with Nero.

As a result of reading the thread I have downloaded ImgBurn and I'm going to install that and see how I get on.

As I said my firmware is v1.06 and the latest is v1.29 so I suppose I should update but been holding off so as not to confuse the issue.

Reading through the supplier web site I got the Datawrite Classics from it says

This Datawrite DVD Re-Writable 4.7Gb disc is capable of being re-written at 2x.

This DVD-RW disc is for use in drives that take the "DVD-R/RW" format of discs.
Please ensure that this is the correct disc for your hardware before purchasing.

These discs come to us in spindle tubs of 10.

ADVDinfo: TDK502sakuM3

Suggested for use on the following hardware: Pioneer 107/A07, 108/A08, 109/A09, 110/110D, 111/111D, NEC ND-3500/3520/3540/4550/4551/4570/4571, Sony DVD+/-R drives, Plextor DVD+/-R drives, Liteon DVD+/-R drives, LG DVD+/-R drives and most other DVD-R writers and modern DVD players (using the latest firmware).

From that I read that the problem with them might just be firmware. Is my assumption of just running the .exe file to upgrade correct?

Going to do some more burning/erasing and see what happens.

[chris18]

Thought I would update on things so far.

I have installed ImgBurn. I tried to write to what I thought was the empty Verbatim DVD+RW disc I'd been using but Nero 7 Premium reported the disc as not empty. I then tried to erase the disc and got message it couldn't be erased (wrong disc type).

I then ran Imgburn and it also showed the disc as not empty so first I tried a quick erase and then a full erase. Both reported successful completion but the disc is still shown as not empty.

This is the imgburn log file.

I 11:55:09 Found 2 DVD-ROMs and 1 DVD±RW!
I 11:56:12 Operation Started!
I 11:56:12 Device: [0:2:0] PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-111D 1.06 (E:) (ATA)
I 11:56:12 Media Type: DVD+RW (Disc ID: MKM-A02-00) (Speeds: 2.4x, 4x)
I 11:56:12 Quick Erase: Yes
I 11:56:12 Erasing Disc...
I 11:56:26 Synchronising Cache...
I 11:56:27 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:00:15
I 11:57:47 Operation Started!
I 11:57:47 Device: [0:2:0] PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-111D 1.06 (E:) (ATA)
I 11:57:47 Media Type: DVD+RW (Disc ID: MKM-A02-00) (Speeds: 2.4x, 4x)
I 11:57:47 Quick Erase: No
I 11:57:47 Erasing Disc...
I 12:13:26 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:15:39

This is what Imgburn shows when I reload the disc.

PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-111D 1.06 (ATA)
Current Profile: DVD-ROM

Disc Information:
Status: Complete
Erasable: No
Sessions: 1
Sectors: 2,295,104
Size: 4,700,372,992 bytes
Time: 510:03:29 (MM:SS:FF)
Supported Write Speeds: 2.4x, 4x

Physical Format Information (ADIP):
Disc ID: MKM-A02-00
Book Type: DVD+RW
Part Version: 2
Disc Size: 120mm
Maximum Read Rate: Not Specified
Number of Layers: 1
Track Path: Parallel Track Path (PTP)
Linear Density: 0.267 um/bit
Track Density: 0.74 um/track
First Physical Sector of Data Area: 196,608
Last Physical Sector of Data Area: 2,491,711
Last Physical Sector in Layer 0: 0

Physical Format Information (Last Recorded):
Book Type: DVD-ROM

Does this confirm that the writer is faulty or could it still be a software issue?

Thanks

[kschang]

It confirms that your Nero is ****ed.

[budz]

update the firmware on your PIONEER 111D drive. your log shows your drive has the 1.06 firmware which is very old. the newest firmware is 1.29.

http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/content/support/support/software.html

[bevills1]

You might also try dvdinfopro also suggested at http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=197846 link.

[chris18]

Thanks for the replies.

I had been checked the firmware version recently because I have some Datawrite Classic DVD 2X discs that I haven't been able to use (Nero would just sit there saying Checking Discs), but I was holding off at the moment so as not to confuse things.

Updating the firmware is obviously well over due, but why should I suddenly start to get problems with discs I have used for quite a few months without any trouble??


kschang

It confirms that your Nero is ****ed.

Can you explain, just that I know for future reference, how you came to that conclusion and what should I now do with Nero??

[RLT69]

Did you have any problems with the burner in your wife's computer? If the burner works properly in your wife's computer then you have a problem with your computer. The problem with your computer is more than likely software related.

Here's a suggestion someone tried that work:

"never had problem with nero erasing disc, but i solved few problem for friends where they had problem with nero 6 but mostly 7. after removing ASPI from adaptec and just leaving nero ASPI problem went away."

http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=197846

If you haven't, you might want to try an unused RW disc, write a file to it, then try to erase it. Depending on how many times you have used the RW discs, they might have become unuseable. They do wear out after awhile, though RW discs are suppose to have a LONG rewrite period.

[chris18]

Right, well I have upgraded the firmware to v1.29.

Can't remember exactly what happened when I connected the writer to my wife's PC but think I was able to erase a couple of discs. Put two of the ones I think I erased into the writer after the firmware upgrade and Imgburn says Disc Needs Formatting and I also get the prompt as to what to do with the disc e.g Open Writable CD Folder. Another one I had marked as erased on the other PC (not 100% certain) and this shows as formatted and erasable.

Tried

Packard Bell DVD-R

TDK DVD+R

Ritek Silver 'Frosted' Inkjet Printable (4x) DVD-R

All correctly identified by ImgBurn as empty.

Tried a TDK DVD-Rw 2X and this too correctly identified as empty and erasable. Manufacturer ID: TDK502sakuM3.

I then tried one of the Datawrite Classics and showed as Not Empty so tried another and lo and behold showed as Empty so perhaps first disc was faulty from the beginning. Did a test burn of a few files with Nero rather than Imgburn. Got strange status during burn of Unknown Burnphase and this got displayed after the burn instead of the usual Burn Complete.

Then tried to erase but got message in Imgburn;

PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-111D
This disc is not rewritable and therefore cannot be erased
Please insert a rewritable disc.

Tried another unused Datawrite and got:

Disc Information:
Status: Empty
Erasable: Yes
Free Sectors: 2,298,496
Free Space: 4,707,319,808 bytes
Free Time: 510:48:46 (MM:SS:FF)
Supported Write Speeds: 1x, 2x

Pre-recorded Information:
Manufacturer ID: MCC 01RW11n9

Recording Management Area Information:
PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-111D

Physical Format Information (Last Recorded):
Book Type: DVD-RW
Part Version: 2
Disc Size: 120mm
Maximum Read Rate: Not Specified
Number of Layers: 1
Track Path: Parallel Track Path (PTP)
Linear Density: 0.267 um/bit
Track Density: 0.74 um/track
First Physical Sector of Data Area: 196,608
Last Physical Sector of Data Area: 0
Last Physical Sector in Layer 0: 0

Current Format Capacity:
Sectors: 2,297,888
Size: 4,706,074,624 bytes
Time: 510:40:38 (MM:SS:FF)

Maximum Format Capacity:
Sectors: 2,297,888
Size: 4,706,074,624 bytes
Time: 510:40:38 (MM:SS:FF)

This is what I had with the first Datawrite so it looks as if the writer will burn the -RWs OK but doesn't recognise them as erasable afterwards.

Not going to create any more coasters at the moment.

So the question now is - is it hardware or software and if it is software where the heck do I start??

If it's worth trying to uninstall the ASPI from adaptec and just leaving nero ASPI how would I do that and will that make any difference seeing as I'm getting the disparity using Imgburn.

PS What are Nero Clean Tools? Found a thread elsewhere about the Unknown BurnPhase and it was suggested to use the Clean Tools to remove Nero and then do a fresh install. But then again this wouldn't account for the Imgburn problem would it?? By the way where is the nero Log file located?

Also found thread talking about It could be an ATIP hider from alcohol, Daemon-tools etc. I remember I had a problem with a trial version of the latest Alcohol 120%. Had a fatal error, caused I think by something else I had running at the time, just as the install finished and when I tried to run it siad it didn't support a trial. When I tried to uninstall to start again it said it couldn't verify the installation and I couldn't do a thing with it. Followed the manual remove instructions on the Alchohol site and removed the folder but even then when I tried it wouldn't let me do a fresh install so removed everything again and gave up.

The messed up install was on the restore image I used and I had to go through the manual process again. Could this be affecting things??

[RLT69]

If it's worth trying to uninstall the ASPI from adaptec and just leaving nero ASPI how would I do that and will that make any difference seeing as I'm getting the disparity using Imgburn

Google is a wonderful tool

Based upon my search, your System (Adaptec) ASPI layer (WNASPI.DLL) could be corrupted. Nero 7 does not use it but Nero 6 does:

"Nero uses its own Aspi for version 6 and for version 7 uses Windows SPTI, neither version uses system aspi. Unless you are running programs that use Aspi you don't have to worry about it. If it bugs you then do this kill your aspi and reinstall. "

http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/392382

Thus you might want to remove it. I would recomend backing up that file first, just in case.

Here are the instruction for removing it:

http://radified.com/ASPI/forceaspi.htm

It would probably be useful to uninstall Nero, all versions, first. Then remove the System ASPI. Then reinstall Nero 7 and go from there.

If this does not work, then return your drive. You might want to research some reviews of your burner and/or other burners to see if they say anything about RW burning. I have read that some drives have poor RW support. Not sure if it applies to your drive.

Cheers

[chris18]

I think I have confirmed that it is a software issue on my PC.

I installed the writer on my wife's PC and tested three types of re-writables. Verbatim DVD+RW, Imation DVD+RW & Datawrite Classic DVD-RW.

All three were checked with both Nero & Imgburn and shown to be empty and erasable before starting. Five small files were written to each disc with Nero 7.0.0.0 ad then they were checked again to confirm their status.

Each was then erased with Nero and their status checked again and confirmed as empty and erasable.

Although I can't be certain I would lay odds that it is the corrupt Alcohol 120% installation that is causing the problem.

Don't think there is much point in testing any more, will now have to work out a plan to get everything back working again. Might have to restore the image I took just after I got the system new as that has a basic XP Pro+updates and very little else so should be clean.

Unless of course anyone has a better idea.

Just one question. I checked the DMA in Device Manager and it shows

Secondary Channel

Master Drive

PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-111D

Trabsfer Mode

Ultra DMA 4 - Ultra66 checked but greyed out.

Let BIOS select transfer mode is checked

I assume this is correct??

Thanks to everyone for their help and patience.