Ricoh MP5125A and "tracking or focus error"

[Scobo]

I've had a Ricoh MP5125A for about a year now and it's just developed a fault burning DVD+RW and DVD+Rs.
I get a "tracking or focus error" in Nero after about 5 minutes of burning with every type/brand of media and with DVD-ROM or DVD-Video.
I've had no problems with it up to now and have made no changes to my system recently.
Anyone else had this problem or is my Ricoh dead ?

[redwudz]

Hmm, that sounds different than the usual 'power calibration error'. I would try dusting off the lens with canned air, then if that doesn't work, using a cleaner disk. Kind of sounds like the laser is having a hard time tracking the 'grooves'. If cleaning fails, maybe new burner?

[Scobo]

Thanks for the reply redwudz.
I have had the "power calibration error" in Nero too but more often than not it's the "tracking or focus error".
I also get a "DVD-RAM ASPI error" (or words to that effect) message in Ulead Movie Factory 2.

Any ideas on the "power calibration error" ?

[redwudz]

Not sure about the ASPI error, but power callibration is the laser power adjusting to the media. Main causes of the error are bad media, burning too fast, dirty laser lens or failing laser. Both the calibration error and the tracking error can also be caused by a worn out drive. I'm sure there are other software related causes, but if nothing else in the computer has changed, I would try cleaning the lens.

[Scobo]

Thanks for the tip.
I read other posts on this problem last night which also suggested the lens may be dirty so I took the drive apart to try and get at it.
I got as far as taking the front and bottom panels off but still couldn't get at the lens.
I might try a lens cleaner but if that doesn't work the Ricoh's going in the bin !
I do use it quite a bit but you would think they would last more than a year.

[Sartori]

I found it did this on mine as well , for some reason it only did it when I directly cut VOBs straight to dvd , if I made a DVDRW and then copied it to a DVDR then it worked . Since then I`ve reinstalled Windows 98 SE and it works fine all the time now (about 10 dvds cut).

Third party programs overwriting Windows is partly to blame I guess . Nero has been a pain in the arse for me as well in the past , I stopped using it , DVDlabs burning function does the trick now .

Theres also a ROM update for the 5125 available from Ricoh , it was to do with compatibilty with 4x dvd media , are you using 4x or 2.4x media ?
Also Dixons are selling 10 2.4x DVDRs for £17 at the moment and they cut no probs with my 5125 .

In conclusion try the update patch / reinstalling windows / different media .

[tompika]

I got as far as taking the front and bottom panels off but still couldn't get at the lens.

Wrong way.
Remove the top. Its pretty easy

[djmc2003]

I had that exact same error a while ago with a Panasonic SW-9581-C.

The drive never worked again!

If I was you you I'd return it mate, it sounds like the laser is dying...

[ofbarea]

I think you could have this error if your unit has firmware 1.38 or earlier. Look at the following post for details: https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=181530

[Scobo]

Ok, I've just tried a Scotch lens cleaner and it's made no difference.
It's burning CDs fine so I don't see it being dirt on the lens anyway.
I've upgraded to firmware 1.64, still no difference.
I'm using the same 2.4x media I've been using for about a year namely Ricoh DVD+RWs, Datawrite DVD+RWs and Bulkpaq DVD+Rs.
The fact it's burning CDs no problem is making me think the DVD burning mechanism is faulty.
Looks like I'm facing shelling out for a new burner.

[Sartori]

Sorry to repeat myself , but try reinstalling windows , or try the drive on someone elses machine . Mine never had a problem with cds , but the dvds would not cut , at about 70 - 80 % that error would come up , but since reinstalling its never happened . Or buy a new one .

[Scobo]

Just to conclude this thread, I've given up on the Ricoh and replaced it with an LG GSA 4040B and I have to say I'm almost glad the Ricoh died (if it wasn't for the financial loss).
This drive is the dogs gonads !
I'm burning my old DVD+RWs again with the added bonus of burning DVD-R and DVD+R at 4x.
It also burns DVD-RAM but I've no use for that at the moment.