Sorry if this is a little long, but I have been experiencing this problem a LONG time without being able to resolve it. Here goes:

FOLLOWING IS E-MAIL CORRESPONDENCE I SENT TO PHILIPS A LITTLE WHILE AGO IN RESPONSE TO THE LIMP EXCUSES HEWLETT-PACKARD GAVE ME. READ FOR YOURSELF AND YOU DECIDE. ALL THAT I HAVE TO SAY IS THAT I AM LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS THE SAME SETUP S I DO AND WHO HAS DEFEATED THE HP300i'S INABILITY TO REFORMAT DVD+RWS PREVIOUSLY FIRST RECORDED IN PHILIPS STANDALONE DVD RECORDERS. ANYWAY, HERE'S THE E-MAIL:

Following is E-Mail correspondence I have had with Hewlett-Packard. While I am NOT satisfied with their answers, perhaps YOU can shed some light on this problem:

I inquired: "In attempting to have my HP 300i DVD burner erase/reformat DVD+RWs
initially recorded on my Philips 985 standalone DVD burner, I have
observed that a DVD+RW first recorded on the 300i, then later recorded
on my 985, can subsequently be re-erased/reformatted again on the 300i.

My problem is that if I first burn a DVD+RW on the Philips 985, then
attempt to reuse it by burning to my HP 300i, I keep coming up with
"Logical Unit Software Write Protected" (the message given by DVD
Decrypter) or "SCSI Target Error" (Nero's error message).

It appears to be an HP 300i issue. According to someone with the same
problem, "the determinant of erasure is whether the RW lost its
virginity to the Philips or the PC. If lost to the PC, Philips
recordings can be erased on the PC. If lost to the 985, no go on the
PC".

In any event, I also tried to used the DVDFormat.exe file hidden in the
Umbrellas folder of the by HP 300i software installer, but an error
message also ensues from trying this, as well as trying to used DVD
Movie Factory 2.0 in the +VR mode.

It really appears that the Philips 985 is placing some sort of a
proprietary software lock on virgin DVD+RWs that it records, but cannot
or DOES not do this to DVD+RWs that first were burned on a PC burner,
e.g. the DVD+RWs appear to be write protected, even though the likes of
DVDDecrypter note in the text box that the disk is eraseable!!

Can you corroborate that the HP300i PC burner is the cause of this
inability to reformat/erase a DVD+RW first recorded in a Philips 985? Is
this possibly a firmware issue? Can you write a firmware update to
resolve this problem?

Another person stated, "I put back the original NEC firmware on the
ND1100A (I had put HP300 firmware on the drive because I wanted to be
able to set the compatibility bit), and now I am able to erase
Philips-deflowered +RWs. It seems that all who had this erasing
difficulty on this posting had HP burners."

It appears that the problem is related to the HP300i firmware. Since
the HP300i is a re-badged NEC ND-1100A, you might be able to use the NEC
firmware." Can this be done?

Also, I noticed on a web site that there are newer firmware versions
than the 1.25 on my HP 300i, yet when I poll your web server using the
HP300i firmware update software, it states that I am up to date. This is
confusing!!

Finally, I also tried the DVDFormat.exe file hidden in the Umbrellas
folder of the by HP 300i software installer, but an error message also
ensues from trying this, as well as trying to used DVD Movie Factory 2.0
in the +VR mode.

Please advise, and thanks in advance!"

They answered: "Thank you for contacting HP Total Care.

I would not be able to comment on the functionality of the Philips DVD
Writer. However, a difference in the software used to create the DVDs
may be the issue. I recommend you try using any one of the DVD Writing
software i.e. RecordNow or Nero. Installing both software is not
recommended.

Currently, there are no firmware upgrades available for your HP DVD300i
drive. I recommend you do not install any other firmware for your
drive. Software updates are posted as they become available. Please
visit the following HP Web site to check for software updates:

http://productfinder.support.hp.com/tps....t=82711

NOTE: Clicking the link may give an error indicating it is
invalid. If this occurs, copy the portion of the address
on the second line and paste it at the end of the address
showing in your browser.

1. In window 1 select your HP DVD300i DVD Writer product.

2. Select the appropriate operating system and follow the appropriate
links for downloading the software updates for your drive.

If you have any issues downloading or viewing any of the update pages,
please verify that you have the most current version of your browser.

Further, the DVDFormat utility is related to DLA. It allows you to use
your CD just as you would a floppy or any other drive. Read/write files
directly to CD with any software application that reads from and writes
to a drive letter. Please provide us a brief on the situation, I will
be glad to assist you.

Sincerely,
Sunil
HP Total Care"

I responded, "Sunil:
This has nothing to do with software, as I have tried Record Now AND
Nero to no avail. Other people have told me that they have no problem
with these two programs reformatting Philips' recorded DVDs, UNLESS THEY
OWN AN HP 300i--definitely, this is a 300i firmware issue--there is NO
other explanation.
Care to delve into this EXACT problem with your engineers, and get back
to me after THEY respond?
Thanks!!"

And their limp excuse followed: "Thank you for contacting HP Total Care.

As stated in the previous correspondence we are unable to determine the
functionality or resolve any issues that might occur while using a
standalone DVD Writer to write to HP media.

It is possible that the presence of multiple CD-Writing software on your
system is causing a software conflict on your system. There is no issue
with the firmware of the HP DVD300i drive.

Please contact the manufacturer of the standalone DVD burner to resolve
any possible issue with the Philips writer.

Sincerely,
Shailesh
HP Total Care"

Please note that I NEVER stated I was using their MEDIA, only that there is a problem formatting any DVD+RW media in my HP 300i PC Burner after it first was used to record in my Philips 985A!

Would you please help me to figure out why I am having this problem? Your input would be most appreciated, and hope that you will be of more help than those who would just pass the buck to another organization!

Thanks so much in advance!!

Rich Kutnick


So, can anyone here help??!! I am afraid I will screw up my HP 300i with the firware given in the above link, and there are more than one firmware choices, too! Has anyone here been so bold as to change the firmware on their HP 300i and have it work with the above scenario?

HELP!!!!