DVD-R's not recognized by TDK burner

[StSangue]

*I'm sorry, this should have been posted in the 'DVD Writers' Forum. I can edit it but can't move it.*

I bought a nice USB 4X TDK dvdrw0404n from Meritline. It was working like a dream! Then suddenly it stopped recognizing and writing DVD-R's. It will not write -R's period no matter what the brand or speed. I'm halfway through a fifty pack of Verbatims. It wrote the first half fine. It writes CD-R's, DVD-RW's. It reads DVD's and DVD-R's and everything else.

I tried reinstalling the driver, and got nothing. There was no new software added to my computer, nothing was removed. I use VOB Instant CD/DVD and DVDIt. I've used these programs exclusely for two years with pleasure, I've never had any problem like this. Fortunately I have my old Panasonic 1.1X which has always worked.

Can anyone give me any advice on how I could fix this problem? I've done some googling and seen some other people have had the same trouble but no one has ever explained it.

A copy of the VOB summary is pasted below if it gives any clues.

Thanks in advance,
Mike



Versions:
Operating System: Windows 2000 5.01 (Build 2600: )
InstantCopy: 6.5.2.038 (8/14/2002 5:05:32 PM)
InstantDisc: 6.5.2.076 (8/14/2002 5:06:52 PM)
CD-R Drivers: 6.4.3.064 (8/12/2002 3:53:32 PM)
ISO/UDF Creator: 1.0.2.026 (5/31/2002 5:02:02 PM)
ASAPI Interface: 5.0.0.002 (12/13/2002 3:35:00 PM)
ASAPI Driver: 5.0.0.001 (1/8/2000 10:22:36 AM)

Write speed: 3.9x DVD(5,408 kB/s)
Write method: Disc at Once
Closing method: Close disc
Simulation: No Simulation
[ ] Write to hard disk first
[ ] Verify destination media after write

Destination Device:
Tdk DVDRW0404N (H: ) 1.08 MMC-Driver

Disc Contents:
Nr Length Pre Post Sectormode
1 2,039,152 150 150 Mode 1 ISO

Project contents:
Datatrack
File systems: ISO9660 Level 1; Joliet; UDF 1.02

Reading destination disc information ...
Creating table of contents...
Writing track 1 of 1 track(s)
Starting track 1...
Resetting destination device...


---------------------------------------------------------

An error occured while writing track 1 at position 0.

---------------------------------------------------------




---------------------------------------------------------

Extended information:
Device: Tdk DVDRW0404N (H: )
MEDIUM ERROR: POWER CALIBRATION AREA ERROR
70 00 03 00 00 00 00 0A 00 00 00 00 73 03
2A 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 20 00


---------------------------------------------------------

[lordsmurf]

I bet it's CMC DVD-R media, and that would be a likely problem.
Check you media ID.
www.nomorecoasters.com

[Cholerabob]

Upgrade your firmware version 1.0a is the latest it will probably fix you problem.

[StSangue]

Indeed, the firmware upgrade did solve my problem. Thanks, Bob.

My next burner will be a Pioneer! I have never heard a bad thing about their product and the website is a dream. That's a lot more than I can say about tdk.com. It looks like they took the Japanese site and ran it through Babelfish.

Thank you VideoHelp! Without this site I'd still be picking my way through the tdk faq!