Need Help on Installing Firmware

[techjunkie22]

I just recently found out I need firmware in order to burn with the Ritek DVD-r G04 4x discs i got. I'm using NEC 1300A Duel+/- external dvd burner and it doesn't recongnize the discs, keeps giving me this error

"no media is present"

ran it thru dvdinfo and still the same error. So basically I'm wondering if you guys can guide a newbie thru this whole process. Which firmware do I need to download (Please be specific) too many differnt vers..how do I install the new firmware...and what does flash mean? Thanks

[ccbadd]

Look at www.herrie.org. His site is specifically for the NEC drives.

[techjunkie22]

thanks but I already know that site, what I don't know is which ver to install is how to install...

[Barnabas]

techjunkie22,

If you can take back the NEC still DO SO, you will have MANY troubles with media with that burner until NEC gets better at firmware.

If you don't know how or what firmware to install, DON'T try it.

[techjunkie22]

Sigh, the dvd burner is non-refundable since I bought it a year ago lol....and I just recently started using the new Ritek media. Someone out there has got to have been thru the same prob and made it work!!

[Barnabas]

Sorry, but the firmware for the NEC sucks BIG time! The firmware controls what disks will burn and what won't. Until NEC gets it's act together, you will simply have to find a disk, probably a fairly costly disk that works and stick with it. For the cost you will be spending on more costly media, you could just as well buy a Pioneer and be able to use most media with out problems.

That's just the facts. NEC does not have good firmware, and does not update the firmware often enough. If you want to be able to use cheap media, you have the wrong drive.

[DivXExpert]

Dude, flashing firmware is not something you should try if you don't know how. Its one of those things thats like, "if you have to ask, you'll never know". Seriously.

[gll99]

I answered your other post on this topic and if you insist on going ahead with a flash then here goes:

Check your current firmware with dvdinfo pro 1st to make sure that your current version is 1.06 to 1.08. Herrie's site says that these are the only ones for which his patch work.

If you want to use Herrie's instead of the official patches then, go to Herrie's site and choose the path that shows your drive Nec nd 1300a.

When you get to the right panel the first one at the top is the one you want. It's version 108v2 special holiday edition for windows. Download the .exe file and run it. A panel will open and it will ask you if you want to flash the firmware. Push the button if you do and in less than a minute it's done. You must reboot the computer after the flash.

There is no guarantee that it will help with Ritek discs. There is a note that shows that it will help with leaddata and a few others but that's it. You are on your own if you get a bad flash.

Since you need to join herrie's site to get the file you can ask more questions there and there are release notes available. The link is right next to the download link.

Have fun. Hope it helps.

[techjunkie22]

Appreaciate all the help guys. This whole ordeal has seriously got me into considering another dvd burner, btw Barnabas how much does the pioneer burner run for? Followed your directions gll99 and after I hit flash and the computer restarts, the burner just keeps flashing this green light.

[gll99]

techjunkie22 says

the burner just keeps flashing this green light.

Hope you're kidding
That's your burner waving bye bye.

gll99 said

You are on your own if you get a bad flash.

Just kidding! Not making fun of your bad luck!
(Maybe a hope?)

You may be able to flash again or try an official patch from the NEC site if the burner doesn't respond.

As we alluded to, it is a risky proposition and not for the faint hearted. I always hope for the best but expect the worse and check my wallet before I flash any of my devices. Although I've read of many horror stories, so far for me it's been 100% good even on my standalone DVD players.

[ccbadd]

I am currently using 108v2 and hae had no problems flashing or writing disks. I use some Ritek G03's (Imation 2X) but no G04's, CMCMAG.AF1's and ProdiscS03's perfectly. I also have had no problems with +R disk's either, but most + capable drives have little problems with + media. I would bet that the flashing problem that techjunkie22 had was more related to his PC rather than his drive.

[techjunkie22]

I last checked and there were two ver of the firmware one for dos and the other windows, and I had used the windows ver. However I've heard ppl say they had a higher success rate with the dos ver but b/c mines is an external burner, so from what I was told the dos ver was not recommended. Is this true? My firmware ver is currently 1.08. I've also read up on previous posts where users flashed back to 1.06 then again w/ herries hacked 1.08 ver and it worked. Is this a good way to go? gll99, I'll try flashing one more time with the offical 1.09 windows ver . ... lets hope I don't fry anything.

[ccbadd]

I think you are going to have to take the drive out of the external enclosure and connect to an ide channel on the motherboard to flash then put it back in the enclosure. This is because of the state that it is in right now. I have my drive in an external combo firewire/usb enclosure and only use it on the firewire port as I don't trust USB, I've had many more problems with it and none with firewire. By the way, I used the windows version on the flash while my drive was in the external box and it happened to work for me. Is you box usb or firewire?

[techjunkie22]

2.0 USB, so that the culprit?