My DVD drive wont record Deul Layer anymore.

[MeekloBraca]

I have a Benq 1620. I have always been able to record deul layer discs. I use Verbatium DL's. Now it wont burn at all. Ive tried discs from 2 different spindles. It will burn SL just fine but not DL.

WHat can I do?

[budz]

have you tried using IMGBURN to burn your DUAL LAYER media? what firmware are you using with your BENQ 1620 drive?

[MeekloBraca]

Im not sure how to do data files with INGBURN.

My firmware I b elieve is G7V9

Ive had this firmware for 2 years at least. This problem is a few days old.

[budz]

ok your 1620 has the OEM firmware. you can crossflash your drive to the official BENQ firmware by using either the BQFLASHER or WinDWFlasher program. The only difference is with the WinDWFlasher you'll have to use the firmwares that are in cvt files. With BQFLasher you can use the exe firmwares. OEM firmwares for your drives start with G. The official BENQ firmwares start with B. i'd suggest you crossflash to the official BENQ firmwares since they had many more firmware updates than the G series firmware. OEM drives had G firmware and RETAIL drives had B firmwares.

Go to the BENQ FORUM at Cdfreaks.com and look for the BQFLASHER thread and F.A.Q. for BENQ and PHILPS drives.

[MeekloBraca]

Okay, why would I do that?

[budz]

to upgrade the firmware on the drive. if you don't wanna upgrade the firmware on your drive then you'll be stuck with not being able to burn dual layer media. i have 2 OEM BENQ 1620 drives that had the "G" firmware just like yours and i crossflashed them both using WinDWFlash w/the cvt firmwares. upgrading firmware can be done to have better compatibility for different brands of dvd discs.

media codes are all different depending on what brand of dvd discs one will use. the media codes will tell you who manufactured a dvd disc. with newer media id's some dvd burner manufacturers will provide firmware upgrades on their drives to have better writing compatibility.

do some reading at the BENQ FORUM at Cdfreaks.com.

[lordsmurf]

Either do what budz says, or buy a better burner (Pioneer, NEC).

[MeekloBraca]

How does firmware go bad over night? Ive had this firmware for years and suddenly it just doesnt work?

[budz]

How does firmware go bad over night? Ive had this firmware for years and suddenly it just doesnt work?

it's not the firmware that goes bad. newer dvd media codes will change and with it dvd burner manufacturers will upgrade the firmwares to match the newer media codes. the OEM firmware you have on your drive is so old and the dvd media in the market right now is new. pls do some researching at the BENQ FORUM or google if you must. no one is forcing you to crossflash your drive but you've asked for help and i'm giving you suggestions. if you don't want to take the advice then buy yourself a new dvd burner.

[budz]

here's some links from the BENQ FORUM. do some reading.

F.A.Q asked BENQ/PHILIPS DRIVES:
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=138436

BQFLASHER:
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=149980

[budz]

if you want the cvt files when using WinDWFlasher here's the link for them. but you'll have to join the site and open it up in IE or use the IE TAB in MOZILLA FIREFOX to view the site.

http://dvd-rw.hoppy.tk/modules/wfdownloads/viewcat.php?list=B

[MeekloBraca]

Its not that I dont want to take advice, or just do my own thing, I just want to understand why I am going to do something before I do it. Especially if there is a slight risk it may screw things up even further. Im not doubting what you are saying, im just gathering information.