Problem Installing LG DVD-Rom Drive

[hoyboy]

Here's hoping you can help!. I bought an LG GDR8161B DVD-Rom drive a few days ago and I cannot install it. I put it in, make sure everything is right with the cables and proceed to boot the machine up. It starts up fine, recognises the drive as a secondary slave and keeps going until it hangs at "verifying DMI Pool". Then it just stays there with nothing happening. I took it back to the dealer, who installed it on his machine and it worked great. I am using an MSI 6378 mainboard with version 3.2 bios on it- does anybody know if this is the latest bios. I have looked at the MSI website and it was a little unclear. Hopefully somebody out there has solved a problem like this before. By the way, i'm using ME

[Prospero424]

That's really weird, but there are a few thing you might try. First, try putting the drive on another IDE channel, try it with a different IDE ribbon cable, try it as a primary rather than a slave. If none of this works, try updating you BIOS (if there is a newer one) or you can go into the BIOS menu, go to the PnP/PCI configuration sub menu, and look for an option like "force update ESCD" or something similar, enable this.

If nothing works, you can try updating the firmware on the drive itself using a different PC, although this is a pain, especially finding updated firmware for the specific drive.


Good Luck,

Prospero

[hoyboy]

Thanks to Prospero who replied to my question. He mentioned upgrading to the newest version of bios for my board. I have come to realise there is a new version out there, but my question is:-

Is it better just to get another dvd-rom drive and cut my losses as my system is working perfectly otherwise or:-

Upgrade the bios and risk playing around with everything?. It would be handy if other people who have maybe upgraded their bios let me know how it went for them. any problems etc?.

with thanks

[Bob W]

Updating bios is a simple process. Just make sure you understand the instructions for doing same from your motherboards manufacturer. If it will help simply print out the instructions. The whole process takes maybe five minutes.

Oh I assume you did set the jumper on the drive to be a secondary slave?

[Heavensent]

your dvd rom doesnt have a region free firmware yet.
there is a software solution, but region free firmware whould be better.
i whould return it and get another one that has a region free firmware.

i have a toshiba SD-M1612 and it has a firmware solution,
and it works grate.
used to have an lg dvd rom but it just died on me one day.

here is a link to a firmware site, choose whatever dvd rom you want ,
and you will see if it has a firmware solution.

http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_all.php

only after you get another dvd rom,try to install again.
if this doesnt work, upgrade the bios as someone advised before.
but at least you will know you have a region free dvd in your hands.

[txpharoah]

Had a friend take back 2 LG DVD-ROM drives. Not very good in my opinion from what I saw. We both have Pioneer DVD-ROM drives now, and never have problems. A little more expensive, but was worth the money.

[hoyboy]

Thanks for the replies, I might just see if I can return the drive and get something else. It just is strange because I have had an LG CD/CDRW for over two years which has worked great. TXPHAROAH, was there any particular model of pioneer drive that you suggest or are they all pretty good?. It may be harder to get them over here but I will try.

Thanks

[JamesB69]

I have the 8160B and it works great.

[hoyboy]

Yeah, I always though LG was ok-not the top of the line but good value. I have a friend who is going to test the unit in his machine to see how he goes- I have decided I don't want to change BIOS as the machine is going really good at the moment. BTW, has anybody had cooling problems with athlon xp2100+ processors using the stock cooler?. My machine gets so hot with just the cooler on i.e 64C. I have a desk fan blowing into it at the moment and it is doing a good job cooling it down but it really shouldn't get as hot as that?or should it!!!.

with thanks

[Dubber]

I got exactly the same drive, works fine for me, I'm using Win98 and Win2000Pro. I'd say, ditch ME and either downgrade to Win98SE or upgrade to Win2000 or XP.