Problems with Memorex 2.4x DVD+R/RW (Ricoh MP-5125A)

[scottmso]

I have a 2.4x2.4x8x Memorex DVD+R/RW drive that is a rebadged Ricoh MP-5125A (the one that supports both +R and +RW, not just +RW), and I am having some problems with my burn quality.

Many of my burns on Ritek discs look like this (this is a Verbatim Ritek disc): http://www.dealzlog.com/personal/Good-DVDR.gif I am thinking there is something wrong with that? I don't know exactly what both lines mean (sorry about my newbie-ness) but I can tell it's not reading above 3x. I updated the firmware recently (right before that disc was burned) and it doesn't seem to help. Exactly the same...

But here is a picture of the burn right before that disc (Verbatim Ritek TOO!): http://www.dealzlog.com/personal/Bad-DVDR.gif I wonder why the disc tested so horribly? That is the first time I have had one of these Riteks completely screw up! Also I burned a disc that passed the test (looked similar to the first graph) for a friend, who has an Asus 8x DVD-ROM that read DVD+Rs fine. But he tells me that he gets CRC errors in some parts of the disc!

Also I have never burned a successful disc (same UNRECOVERED READ ERROR) out of a few MEDIA ID001 (Lead Data?) discs. They are crappy media, but I have not heard of all completely failing.

So what might be the problem? Is this: a) normal for DVD burners, b) a problem across these "early" DVD+R drives, or c) just a bad apple that I should RMA?

[lordsmurf]

Run SCANDISC (found in a CD-DVD Speed menu) and do a surface test. Refer to www.nomorecoasters.com for more help.