Pioneer A06 installation woes

[arDuck]

Bought an A06 today and installed it in my ASUS P4PE machine (2.4g P4, XP Professional). The drive was able to read and install the packaged software - Ulead/Nero suite but would not read anything or recognize blank media therafter. After reading other posts, I installed the latest Adaptec ASPI drivers and upgraded firmware from 1.05 to 1.07, unloaded Nero, swapped in my old plextor CD-RW and then re-installed the Pioneer.

The Pioneer will not read anything. I am beginning to think the drive is defective but thought I would ask whether anyone has had similar issues before I give up and make the exchange.

Thanks

[MeTaLgEaRsOoTy]

sounds to me like youve ****ed it up.
and anyways if you return it,they can check as to what firmware there is on the drive.
reflash it with the 1.07 firmware,uninstall the crappy ulead/nero suite,reinstall the drive,and then install nero 6.
if it doesnt work.RMA it.

[arDuck]

sounds to me like youve ****ed it up.

Maybe so . . but I fail to see that by following the installation instructions provided with the drive I assume any responsibility for its failure to operate.

I ran InfoTool from the nero site and it reported correct firmware level and drive speeds but the drive still would not recognize any blank media or software CD's. It made a slight chirping sound as it tried to read so I am convinced that it has a mechanical problem.

Anyhoo, the drive is going back for exchange if they have any left in stock (they were on sale and I got one of the last two on the shelf).