Pioneer 111D problems

[EGrier]

I have a 111D that I am having issues with. I will try and burn a DVD with Imgburn and it gets to the burn lead in stage and then will not go any further. I have just left it alone to see if it would go ahead and complete but it doesn't. I can't even eject the disc. When I do eject it, you can see toward the middle hub that it started the burn. The drive spins up then down, up then down. I then have to reboot the computer to get it to stop. I have on occasion been successful in burning a disc after the reboot though. I am using Maxell DVD-R discs for media. Do you think that it might be a media problem or is my burner going south? It is even having problems burning an audio cd. I can't remember what it was doing I just know that it was having problems. It has been a fantastic burner up until now. And another thing is it is an IDE burner hooked to an all SATA computer. I had to buy one of those adapters to get it to work. (I had it in my old computer and didn't feel like spending the money for a new SATA burner ) Anyone have an opinion?? Thanks

[aedipuss]

an ide to sata adapter might be ok for reading cd/dvds but probably isn't a good idea for trying to burn. data has to move very quickly during a burn. i'd drop the 20-30 bucks for a new pioneer 215/216 for the machine.

also move to a better quality dvd blank. verbatim or taiyo yuden premium for dvd-r sl.

[filmboss80]

Before spending bucks for a new burner, try different media. I suspect it's the Maxells you are using. Try Verbatim or Taiyo Yuden discs.

As you also mentioned, it could be an IDE interface issue, considering your configuration. If the burner did Maxell discs just fine in your old computer, the adapter just may be the problem.

Note: writing this just as aedipuss posted.

[joepic]

If you have a spare PCI slot I have had GREAT success with this card with IDE and SATA usage:

Rosewill RC-215
PCI SATA 1.5G x2/ ATA 133 (IDE) x1 HDD Controller Card Supports Raid 0, 1, 0+1, JBOD, un-RAID mode
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816132012

You may need an IDE cable for the 215 card as no cable are included

24-Inch (Teflon Coated) Ultra ATA 33 / 66 / 100 / 133 IDE Cable
http://store.cwc-group.com/24tcoulata33.html

These adapters work great also on hard drives but not tried them on DVD burners.

Rosewill RC-204 IDE to SATA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812206002

Rosewill RC-203 SATA to IDE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812206001

[EGrier]

Thanks everyone for their replies! Yeah, I think I will try different media to see if that is the culprit. If that doesn't work I may end up getting a different burner. I still have my old computer so, I may just put it back in there to see if that works.

joepic: My adapter is real similar to the Rosewill RC-204.

[redwudz]

Exactly what adapter do you have? Model and brand would help.

Not all SATA to PATA adapters work properly. Especially with optical drives. Using a SATA>PATA adapter may be the cause of your problems.

If you have a spare PCI slot, a PCI PATA adapter would be a better choice, but as above, not all of them may work properly with a optical drive.

If you have enough SATA connectors, that's the best way with newer motherboards. Just pick up a SATA optical drive. If not, a PCI slot PATA adapter may work. But make sure it accepts optical drives.

It could be a media problem, but that's easy to test. Just try a different brand of media. TY or Verbatim should have no problems.

[EGrier]

I can't remember the brand of it...I think it may be a Syba. It is the kind that plugs into the back of your drive, hook up the cable to it and the SATA port on the motherboard, and hook up the power cable and go. When I first put it on it worked great. Then I kept getting CRC errors. Got that resolved now this. Sigh!! I guess the simplest thing to do would be to try different media. If that doesn't work I'm just going to get a new SATA drive.

[orsetto]

I have exactly the same setup, and occasionally experience the same burning problem with my 111D: it spins up to its highest burning speed, and seems to be burning, but after awhile you realize it isn't doing anything but wearing its motor out in vain attempts to finish a part of the burn that got corrupted. Nothing will stop the drive short of a hard PC shutdown.

100% of the time this happens, its traceable to the media. I've said it before, I'll say it again: virtually all media currently available for easy purchase in stores is unusable in hardware older than 18 months, up to and including the once-flawless Verbatim which is now so variable store to store and spindle to spindle you're better off playing the slot machines in Atlantic City. The problem isn't necessarily that the media is "garbage" but that the mfrs constantly change the dye formulas in an attempt to stay profitable at ever-declining price points. Where an excellent drive like the 111 used to be able to go years coping with an assortment of discs, nowadays you need a new burner every six months if you want to use store-bought media, just to keep up with the changes. The 111 is a bulletproof drive, one of Pioneers best, but it can't handle current versions of once great brands like Maxell, which are now mediocre at best. You will need to start buying Taiyo Yuden media via online sources, and possibly try the Verbatim sold in your area: it might work OK. If you want the convenience of running into any store and buying any random media, however, you'll need to buy a new burner (the newer the better).

[budz]

I've gone through many PIONEER 111L drives that I've used for my own computers and for builds that I did for others. My 2 PIONEER 111L drives work fine with VERBATIM media even with ones that have been recently purchased.

That's a bunch of BS that in order to use any random media you'll need to buy a new dvd burner. The OP situation could be from the adapter that he's using.

IMHO the best way to test the drive is to use a PCI CONTROLLER CARD that uses the silicon image chipset. Using a RAID version of a PCI CONTROLLER CARD will render the drive not to work correctly. Also use a 80 wire ide cable along with the PCI CONTROLLER CARD. Or connect the drive to your old computer and go from there. 80 wire ide cables can also fail after a period of time.

I've got many flavors of dvd burners that have been used in the past with PCI CONTROLLER cards with SILICON IMAGE chipset. Don't use any PCI CONTROLLER cards that use VIA CHIPSET.

[marvel2020]

I'd make sure your ASPI layer is up to date, it could be a problem as well, always use the latest version of imgburn, also if your burner does not have it installed already, get the 1.29 firmware from Pioneer this is best firmware for this writer and flash it with it, this cured a hell of lot of problems for me when using different media.

I'd also try and stick to a media that you know worked, failing all of this stick it back into your old PC and get yourself a proper 80 wire 40 pin IDE lead(you could also try this in your sata pc) to make sure you get the best possible data transfer.

[orsetto]

That's a bunch of BS that in order to use any random media you'll need to buy a new dvd burner. The OP situation could be from the adapter that he's using.

Yes, that's the usual response I get. That's great- you have no media problems- life is good for you. But I and others here do have media issues. In our firm, with dozens of 111 (aka 710) burners spread across the country, we've run into media glitches constantly beginning six months ago. The drives are installed properly with the correct cabling and updated drivers. Changing the media to known-good batches we keep in storage for testing (Sony & Verbatim from 2006) always eliminates the problem, as does using current TY, on our 111s as well as who knows how many different laptop drives. For locations that need immediate access to any random store-bought media, we replace the 111s with current Pioneer, Samsung or LG drives: bingo, no further issues with media. Many factors affect us: regional media supply, drive brand, luck of the draw. My personal experience at home has been the same: it doesn't bother me as much because I need to use the TY or Verbatim DataLife online media for my standalone DVD/HDD recorders (which can't be updated) anyway. When my personal 111 dies, I expect its replacement to be more flexible with easier-to-get media.

If a drive is newly-installed, hardware/software issues in the PC are of course definite possibilities that need to be investigated. But if your drive has been sitting there, working fine for months or years, and suddenly chokes on your latest spindle of Maxell, TDK or Staples media: try older or known-good-widely-compatible discs in it before chasing down hardware/software issues. If the alternate media works without a hitch, either switch to that media or consider getting a newer drive: whatever is easier for you. DVD media today changes more often than McDonald's dollar menu: some lucky people swear never to have a problem with that, but some of us do. It should not be dismissed as a possible cause for burning problems.

[EGrier]

I haven't had the chance to try different media yet but, I will keep everyone posted. I have a video of my nephew's birth that I need to get burned on a DVD or my sister-in-law (and wife will choke me) I hope it isn't my burner going out though. I really like it.

[budz]

If a drive is newly-installed, hardware/software issues in the PC are of course definite possibilities that need to be investigated. But if your drive has been sitting there, working fine for months or years, and suddenly chokes on your latest spindle of Maxell, TDK or Staples media: try older or known-good-widely-compatible discs in it before chasing down hardware/software issues

:P I don't use cheap TDK or STAPLES brands of media with any of my dvd burners. No STAPLES in Hawaii. On occasion a friend/family has asked me to back up some data using discs that they buy such as crappy MAXELL. I have never seen any postings in the PIONEER FORUM at CDFREAKS.COM regarding the 111L drive choking, as you say on older or newer dvd media. IMHO from my own experience with the 111L drives I have never had any problems with it using older/newer VERBATIM & TAIYO YUDEN dvd media. I have (2) 710 drives that I crossflashed to the 111L to enable bitsetting.