I can't burn at 2x now, is my pio104 dying?

[kamuixtv]

I have Pioneer 104 I used the 1.31 hacked firmware and burned 40 DVDs @ 2x in 4 months after I install the hacked firmware. The error is in lead-in with error messages something like target failure and recently "Unrecoverable read error" the result was 2 coasters. Now I only burn @ 1x. Is my drive dying? I still have warranty but it still expires in November 2003 should I return it now? btw I don't want to use other media other brand in our place sux. hoping for a great reply

[overloaded_ide]

Hmmm, have you cleaned the drive, maybe laser is dusty/dirty?
Can you put back the original firmware,
Maybe see what other answers you get, then if you don't get it working try re-flashing the firmware.

[garryheather]

Dirty optical blocks are very, very rare.

Word of advice - technically you voided your warranty in putting hacked firmware in it. If you want Pioneer to look at it, put the original firmware back in and keep your mouth completely shut about the hacked firmware part !

I'd be interested to know why you're getting read errors when trying to write - I'm wondering if it can't detect the ADIP on the disc, which could be naff media or the way the drive interprets it. The latter would probably be made worse by the bastardised firmware you insist on using. All the safegaurds have been removed from it, and they're there for a reason...

BTW - you do know about high speed media and the earlier firmware's burning out the optical blocks on the Pioneer's, don't you ? You might be responsible for the drive's demise, if that is what is happening.

[kamuixtv]

Thanks, now how do I clean? and why is the simulation of 2x is ok

[Xtasy2002]

You buy a CD-lens cleaner kit at a computer store.

And if the simulated 2x write is ok maybe you have bad media.

[VinnySem]

All the simulated write does is check the transfer rate from drive to drive. It has nothing to do with the speed you can burn a given media at.

Try flashing the 1.40 version of the 2X4All firmware from http://forum.rpc1.org/portal.php. If you still can't, get the 1.40 UNHACKED, flash that, and return it and say you use Taiyo Yuden disks which are Pioneer certified to burn at 2X, and you can no longer burn those at 2X.