Sony DRU 500a Firmware Upgrade 2.0H

[lacywest]

Sony DRU 500a DVD Burner

Firmware Upgrade 2.0H

Got it two days ago.

Not sure what it benefits.

Nothing wrong has happened.

Sony WebSite

[handyguy]

Just be sure you keep the old firmware cause you can't go back to it if you don't have it since Sony won't keep it online.

[igalan]

I am using it and no problem in the last dozen disks burned. Let's keep fingers crossed .

BTW, I can't burn 4x DVD+RW at 4x, only 2,4x is this firmware supposed to allow 4x on DVD+RW?

[Fairhope]

I really screwed up this time. Sony has made so many firmware upgrades to this drive that I decided I didn't need to read the directions anymore and just flashed my Sony with the new firmware.

I forgot to disable DMA and now my system is in an eternal loop asking me if I want to start windows the regular way, in safe mode, in safe mode with dos prompt or in safe mode with network (or something like that).

The problem is when I choose an option it runs through some script and then comes right back to the options for me to choose again. I'm trying to get in safe mode to take my computer back to the time before I flashed it with the firmware.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[igalan]

I didn't disable DMA for any of the firmware updates ...

If the problem is your burner, then if you unplug it, you should be able to start Windows XP. But I don't see how it can be the problem. Do you have the option to boot from last "Good configuration" (or something similar)?

[rhegedus]

BTW, I can't burn 4x DVD+RW at 4x, only 2,4x is this firmware supposed to allow 4x on DVD+RW?

I don't think the lens/laser in the DRU500 can do 4x +RW.

[Fairhope]

I have been trying to get to the "last known good configuration". Everytime I've updated the firmware for the Sony drive, I get the proverbial blue screen of death afterwards.

I then re-boot in safe mode and use the last known good configuration and everything is fine. The Sony drive even registers the updated firmware version.

However, on this last one, I can't get to safe mode - or any mode for that matter. It keeps giving me the options of which type of boot I want, but when I make my selection, it takes me right back to the options.

I'll try unplugging the Sony drive tonight and see if I can get it to boot.

Thanks

[lacywest]

I have been trying to get to the "last known good configuration". Everytime I've updated the firmware for the Sony drive, I get the proverbial blue screen of death afterwards.

I then re-boot in safe mode and use the last known good configuration and everything is fine. The Sony drive even registers the updated firmware version.

However, on this last one, I can't get to safe mode - or any mode for that matter. It keeps giving me the options of which type of boot I want, but when I make my selection, it takes me right back to the options.

I'll try unplugging the Sony drive tonight and see if I can get it to boot.

Thanks

Well Fair Hope ... one solution is to use the programs you've got installed to go back to a registry setting you last backuped.

Uhm ... you do have one of those programs installed don't you ??

The one I use is ... WinRescue XP

Backs up the registry and makes floppy disks to reboot to in DOS incase Windows XP screws up. There is other versions other than for WIN-XP

Truthfully ... I haven't made any recent backups with it for over a month.

Hmmm ... you are a good reason to do a backup.

As for flashing my DRU-500A ... I couldn't find the area where I can disable DMA for my CD-Rom ... harddrives yes ... my burner ... no.

So ... I too didn't turn off my DMA for the Sony DRU500A

I guess I'm like ... igalan ... we live dangerously ... hmmm

[TBoneit]

To Disable DMA in XP, goto device manager, choose IDE controller,
click the Plus sign, choose secondary(Primary) wherever the drive is hooked up, right click, properties, advanced settings, you'll see both master and slave and can choose use DMA if available or choose PIO mode.

Simple.

Cheers

[Fairhope]

Well, LacyWest - I have to tell you that I do not have one of those programs that backs up my registry. So I guess I'm out of luck.

I've always relied on the Restore function. Prior to making any changes on my system - i.e. flashing the DVD Drive - I would make a restore point, just in case something like this happens. It appears that did me no good at this point, since I now can't even get to the System Restore program.

However, if you're interested, you will find the DMA settings for your CD-Rom and/or DVD drive under My Computer/Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager. You then click on the CD/DVD Rom in question and go to properties. There you will be able to enable/disable the DMA settings.

[Fairhope]

By the way - who the hell's igalan?

[lacywest]

By the way - who the hell's igalan?

ROFLOL ...

He is up at the top a few replies up ... LOL

[bottle-necked]

Bummer about the firmware.. I upgraded mine last week (again) and so far I can't tell any difference at all. It was working fine before and is still ok. I wanted it to rip a little faster (2x) but I haven't gotten a chance to test it yet.

By what I've read about flashing a burner it says that if something goes wrong (like your did) that the drive is junk. The article said to replace the drive. Backups of your registry wouldn't help because this is a firmware problem inside that drive. I hope not, but by what I read you're f****d.

Good luck.

[SLICK RICK]

I upgraded mine once to firmware version 2.0E and have not touched it since. I have no reason too, everything that I put into it has been burning great.

SLICK RICK

[SLICK RICK]

Kind of reminds me of that old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

SLICK RICK

[rhegedus]

Just re-install your OS and re-flash the drive.

[igalan]

By the way - who the hell's igalan?

Err... What?!?!?! 8)

[igalan]

I've always relied on the Restore function. Prior to making any changes on my system - i.e. flashing the DVD Drive - I would make a restore point, just in case something like this happens. It appears that did me no good at this point, since I now can't even get to the System Restore program.

As I said, if the problem is the drive, removing it the problem should go away. However if after that you still have the same problem I fear the only fix is do a repair install with the Windows XP CD-ROM (Repair installation).
System Restore does keep various snapshots of the system and the registry, if you can use it even in Safe Mode, that would restore your computer.

[waheed]

I've upgraded my firmware everytime a new one is out, cos i cant burn 4x Ritek GO4's at 4x, only 2x max. i can burn other media such as memorex, tdk etc at 4x but not ritek. (always been hoping latest firmware will allow 4x) im yet on firmware 2.0g, it the new firmware still doesn't allow me to burn at 4x on ritek, it aint bothering with it.

SONY SUCKS!!!!

[phantomengineer]

I've updated the firmware on my Sony several times and I've never been able to burn at 4X. Used 4X TDK and Fuji. BTW the instructions say to disable DMA but it doesn't say to re enable it after the upgrade. I assume you do but itdoesn't say it.

[donpedro]

I don't even remember anymore what version is my firmware. It was working just fine since then. Just checket my profile. Can you believe that it is still 1.0f ? And I was just burning 4x last weekend.

[chopper20]

After updating my firmware too 2.0H I used my usual Mirror Platinum 4X dvd-r disks which have only ever burned at X2 with all other firmware updates and the disk burned at X4 (15 mins). I used Recordnow DX 4.61 to do the burning.

[ViRaL1]

I can't be absolutely certain, but if I'm not mistaken. The Sony firmware updater is supposed to disable DMA itself, hence the reboot when you first run it. Then after it reboots, it processes the firmware upgrade while DMA is disabled. Then when it's done it reboots again, I imagine this is to re-enable DMA. Can't remember if all the firmware updates have been like this but they've been this way for a while.

[triphop]

Just re-install your OS and re-flash the drive.

He probably doesn't really want to do that. Any other suggestiongs?

[rhegedus]

Just re-install your OS and re-flash the drive.

He probably doesn't really want to do that. Any other suggestiongs?

Do you have any? 8)

[handyguy]

"Well, LacyWest - I have to tell you that I do not have one of those programs that backs up my registry. So I guess I'm out of luck. "

Even W98 as registry restore from the dos prompt its part of the operating system. What are you using?

You can easily go to the old firmware if you want. Just install it the same way you do the new one.

[lacywest]

"Well, LacyWest - I have to tell you that I do not have one of those programs that backs up my registry. So I guess I'm out of luck. "

Even W98 as registry restore from the dos prompt its part of the operating system. What are you using?

You can easily go to the old firmware if you want. Just install it the same way you do the new one.

Here you go Handyguy ... click away !! But it wont undo a firmware written to the DVD Burner ... but can allow a person to get back into windows and then make the appropriate changes.

[Fairhope]

I've been out of town the last day on business, so I haven't been able to watch this thread.

Came home late last night and my wife and child were asleep - perfect time to try and get my computer running again. No luck. Called Dell and they recommended a fresh install of the OS.

I was trying to avoid that, since I'm always telling myself I'll back up the drive tomorrow - and tomorrow never comes.

LacyWest: Thanks for the PM. After I reinstall the OS, I'll respond.

If it's true, that flashing the Sony Drive and crashing your system, means the drive is shot - what are your recommendations for a replacement of the Sony drive?

[Fairhope]

Igalan:

My apologies. I thought LacyWest was referencing some type of character I was not familiar with.

By the way, I did uninstall the Sony drive and tried to re-boot normally and in safe-mode. No luck.

[triphop]

Just re-install your OS and re-flash the drive.

He probably doesn't really want to do that. Any other suggestiongs?

Do you have any? 8)

I keep backups of my C:\ partition with all my application files. So restoration is not so bad. I can only recommend this since some of the software that I install can really hose things up for other applications. Things like codecs and DirectX, etc, etc.