Pioneer DVR-104 "Model name of kernel part is not match

[penamty]

I recently bought a Pioneer DVR-104 burner from Esystor.com, The drive has version 1.30 of firmware, I have tried all the firmware upgrades I could find (including the ones from Pioneer’s website) but I keep getting the error “Model name of kernel part is not matched". Checking the posts in this forum I see that there are several people that had have the same problem, some of them give links for other firmware that might work, but I have tried them with no success; some say that I have to downgrade the firmware before I try and upgrade, but I can’t find a downgrade from my current version.

This is the information I get when I run the firmware check utility from Pioneer:

Drive list: Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-104 1.30

Drive information:
Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-104
Current Revision: 1.30
Release Date: 02/05/31
Model: Not Pioneer Model (OEM Products)

I have also attempted to run the upgrades from DOS but it still doesn’t work.

This burner was bought as a bare drive, it did not came with any brand name system (my computer is generic by the way)

I don’t want to destroy this burner if I accidentally use media that it doesn’t recognize properly, so I would appreciate any help.

[Gargoyle]

I have the same problem/question; the drive you have (V1.30, "Not Pioneer Model (OEM Products)") is probably the Compaq model. If you go to the Pioneer website, http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/hs/ and click on the "Compaq" button at the bottom of the page, you find that the V1.30 firmware is the latest release. I haven’t gotten any replies to my question about successful upgrades for this model/FW version......l

[lordsmurf]

No, I wouldn't do that. Compaq is useless, I have one. Their firmware is one version behind. I now have a TRUE PIONEER 103 and my friend now has a TRUE PIONEER 104. Here's how:

You can make your 104 drive a TRUE Pioneer.

Why do this? Well, the old OEM firmware won't let you burn 4x discs at 2x. They make 4x discs burn at 1x or not at all. And new firmware has larger media tables and better burns.

Go to http://www.dvd-recordable.net

Download the file DVR-104 Bios Downgrade. That link goes to the page, not the file. Just scroll down and look for it.

Run that. You will have a fw 1.20 PIONEER 104 now, not some COMPAQ/SONY/PACKARD BELL/APPLE crap.

On this page download the newest firmware, A04 Official Version 1.41.

Burn away.

Exact instructions should be one that site with the downloads on in the zip/exe files you get from there.

For the 103 users out there, I still have my original files that were used to hack the 103 (much harder than changing the 104 drive to a PIONEER, as it really isn't hacking it, just a BIOS update). But it's been almost a year since I did it, and unfortunately, I have forgotten how to fix the 103. But you're welcome to e-mail/PM me, and I can e-mail you the files to play with. It involves some serious HEX editing and alterations to the firmware software, not for the non-tech by any means. I'd experiment myself, but my drive works, so no need to put it in harms way testing again.

[kas187]

hey penamty

can you let us know how you get on, i have the same drive DVR-104 with the 1.30FW and have been thinking of upgrading but been hesitant in doing so.

thanks

kas187

[penamty]

Sorry for not posting a reply sooner but I haven’t had a chance to sit down this past couple of days, Thanks for all the replies, and hopefully I will have some free time to try the suggestions tomorrow morning, and will post the results afterwards.

[penamty]

I tried lordsmurf suggestions but it did not work for my Pioneer. The downgrade diskette created by the file “DVR-104 Bios Downgrade” ran without any errors and I did get the message that the process was completed, but it only took about 30 seconds and according to other posts it usually lasts a few minutes. Once I rebooted the system and ran Nero, it still listed the Pioneer as having version 1.30 firmware.

Nevertheless I definitely appreciate all the suggestions, and look forward to receiving new ones

[lordsmurf]

I tried lordsmurf suggestions but it did not work for my Pioneer. The downgrade diskette created by the file “DVR-104 Bios Downgrade” ran without any errors and I did get the message that the process was completed, but it only took about 30 seconds and according to other posts it usually lasts a few minutes. Once I rebooted the system and ran Nero, it still listed the Pioneer as having version 1.30 firmware.

Nevertheless I definitely appreciate all the suggestions, and look forward to receiving new ones

Post on www.firmware-flash.com

That's the site where the firmware hackers hang out, and it's moderated/admin'd by them.