DRU500AX shows up as DRU500A with Firmware 2.0c ... AND...

[DrJOnes666]

Hi,
I just installed my newly purchased DRU500AX. It says AX on the drive... but when I check in my softwares or in Device Manager, the drive shows up as a DRU500A . How come?

Also, it seems I have 2.0c out of the box.

I tried installing the new firmware from the Sony site http://sony.storagesupport.com/dvdrw/dru500axdwn.htm . I followed the instructions (disabling DMA, making sure no direct CD software was installed... even removed Easy Cd Creator 5).
BUT...
When I execute the firmware updater exe file, the computer REBOOTS itself instantly! I don't even get to see the software interface, nothing. It just reboots right after I double click on the file!

????

Any ideas?

My system:
WIN XP PRO, latex SP, all updates.
AMD 2000+, 1GB RAM.
3 HDs, + DRU500AX (in slave)


All input appreciated.

DrJOnes666

[defense]

buddy, you signed up on this forum almost two years ago, and you still don't know you should research something like that before posting?

To answer your question, Sony admittedly screwed up and put thousands of DRU500a burners in the DRU500AX boxes. All of the DRU500a burners they did so with were returned defects, and it was a massive mistake on Sony's part.



---Now that you probably shit bricks..the reason you see it listed in device manager as the DRU500a is because it is a DRU500a. Sony thought they would be clever and apparently had a good firmware for burning DVD-R at 4x AFTER already releasing the DRU500a. They stopped making the DRU500a and started "flashing" the remaining drives with the updated firmware so they could "market" the drives as being 4x compatible.

The reason your system rebooted automatically is because that is how it can ensure you don't have any running programs in the back ground. It is a normal procedure. Your firmware update probably took and you can check it many ways. Your burning program should have a "drives explorer" type info function. Or just download a program called "NERO INFO TOOL." It is probably the best tool for giving specifics on your drives. It will also tell you the firmware you have.

[Bob W]

"To answer your question, Sony admittedly screwed up and put thousands of DRU500a burners in the DRU500AX boxes. All of the DRU500a burners they did so with were returned defects, and it was a massive mistake on Sony's part."

Interesting but how does one explain the label on my two day old drive says DRU500AX and in device manager it says DRU500A?

[DrJOnes666]

Thanks defense for the info.

In my defense (no pun intended), may I say I did use the search function and found a lot of topics dealing with the DRU500A/X ... especially regarding firmware and all. But didn't find the specific info related to the REBOOT problem I experience trying to upgrade the firmware.

Which brings me back to the tips you just gave me.

Well, the reboot didn't do anything. It didn't update the firmware.
Like I said, the software wont even start.
On the SONY site, the instructions show that a window should open with some info before flashing the drive. I don't even get to see that window. As soon as I double click on the updater, the computer reboots on the spot. I'm puzzled! ???


Now... about the revealing info you just gave me regarding the Sony f**kup of the century, could you tell me if there is any important fidderence between the DRU500A and the AX, and why in the world they sent me a DRU500A when I ordered a 500AX, and why it says it's a 500AX on the sticker on the top of the drive??? (lots of questions in one question, hey?!)


Any one can help me upgrade the firmware?

DrJOnes666

[defense]

"To answer your question, Sony admittedly screwed up and put thousands of DRU500a burners in the DRU500AX boxes. All of the DRU500a burners they did so with were returned defects, and it was a massive mistake on Sony's part."

Interesting but how does one explain the label on my two day old drive says DRU500AX and in device manager it says DRU500A?

LMAO....read the rest of my post BoB W.

[defense]

DrJones, do you have any other programs that run automatically when you start? If so, go into msconfig and uncheck all of the programs that auto start. Something may be conflicting with the software. Once you do that it will ask you to reboot, do so. Then double click the Sony firmware icon again and you should be ok. Post your results.


Now as far as why you got a DRU500A...well, both drives are identical in terms of what they can do. Sony probably had an estimated expectation after they made the DRU500a of when they could have it burn DVD-R at 4x, and they probably beat those expectations. They had the firmware revision ready before the holidays and Sony is the biggest electronics giant in the world for a reason. They wanted to be heads above the rest and figured the smartest, most clever way of doing so was to take the remaining DRU500a drives and "flash them" in-house.

That way they could "market" them legitimately as burning DVD-R at 4x. It was apparently much easier to slap a sticker on the outside of the drive that says "DRU500AX" as opposed to taking each drive and changing it's setting to reflect that of a "DRU500AX" in device manager. If you are so concerned about it reflecting DRU500AX, it can be changed in the registry.

I wouldn't worry about it though. So as you can see, there is no difference in the DRU500A or the DRU500AX at this point because firmware flashes have them both operating with the same specs. It is nothing to worry about, but I will agree, very poor decision on Sony's part regarding the people who had just purchased their DRU500a's. I too have the DRU500AX and it shows that on the sticker, but it's the same in device manager. It's the same for everyone. Anyway, I hope all this info helps and relieves your worries.

[DrJOnes666]

Thanks defense! I appreciate all the detailed info!

One thing I tried regarding the reboot problem I get: I booted Windows XP in SAFE MODE and tried to execture the firmware update in that mode. I figured this would eliminate some softwares that load at the start. But I got the same problem in SAFE MODE. The computer rebooted right away, even before I could see the flash programm in action.


I really wonder with waht this could conflict???

DrJOnes666

[Bob W]

I don't have a clue why the computer wants to boot but if your not having a problem with the drive why do you want to flash it? Case in point I had a working 500A firmware version 1.0c that burned 4x DVD-R just fine until I flashed the drive to 1.0g, after that it no longer burned at 4x no mater what brand of media or version of firmware. Just a thought.........

[defense]

Thanks defense! I appreciate all the detailed info!
One thing I tried regarding the reboot problem I get: I booted Windows XP in SAFE MODE and tried to execture the firmware update in that mode. I figured this would eliminate some softwares that load at the start. But I got the same problem in SAFE MODE. The computer rebooted right away, even before I could see the flash programm in action.


I really wonder with waht this could conflict???

Safe mode won't always prevent the conflicting device from loading up. That's why in Windows ME there was a constant issue of disk defragment not completing even in safe mode. I had to execute it in DOS.


Try this...First, I would delete the firmare flash that you downloaded and delete it from the recycling bin. You may of gotten a corrupt download. Then go back to the OFFICIAL SONY site and download the current firmware again.
Then instead of going through safe mode, just go to start, then run, and type in msconfig, then go to the "general" tab and choose "selective startup" then reboot. Just leave the firmware on your desktop and not in another folder. Just on the desktop by istelf. Then try and execute the firmware and report your results.


@Bob w, I personally won't burn past 2x but i'm curious if you ever tried to revert back to flashing your drive with the 1.0c firmware? If so, what were the results?

[Bob W]

"@Bob w, I personally won't burn past 2x but i'm curious if you ever tried to revert back to flashing your drive with the 1.0c firmware? If so, what were the results?"

Yes and the drive would start out at 4x up until about 10% of the burn then drop back to 2x. I have seen several posts on this forum with people seeing the same thing.

[defense]

@bob w, humm, intersting, I thinK I remember seeing some of those posts. I personally didn't focus on them because as I said, I will only burn at 2x. I wouldn't want to mess around and try and revert back to older firmwares either, but it isn't like software, it's an actual flashing of your drive, so I would be very reluctant to flash my drive with an older firmware after I already flashed it with the newer one. Was that the drive that eventually died on you?

[Bob W]

Yes the same drive but I doubt that was related to it's failure more likely it was the one inch dia nylon washer that I removed from the drive that was floating around inside the drive. I guess the Sony drives come with spare parts.

[defense]

Yea, I doubt the washer wasn't due to the firmware flash..unless "flash gordon" came along with that flash and was running around inside your drive. But you don't think you loosened that washer when, after all that frustration of losing your 4x burn speed, you gave that drive a severe Upper Cut, huh? lmao

[Bob W]

You know I actually noticed the first day I had the drive when I went to install it that there was a rattle insde the drive however I figured it was just the drives tray gears making the noise.

[defense]

so that was "before" the uppercut then?

[DrJOnes666]

Thanks again for the tips and info guys.

I've decided to burn a few discs first, just to see if I can indeed burn at 4X out of the box. If I can't seem to reach that speed, I'll then proceed with pushing further my exploration for flashing the drive to the new firmware. One of the idea I got was to hook up the drive in my second computer and flash it on that one. Maybe it will be more simple.

Will keep you posted.

DrJOnes666

PS. Bob, sorry to hear about your R.I.P. drive...

[DrJOnes666]

I did some tests. So far, not so good...

I simulated a burn in NERO and also in RECORDNOW DX.
In both softwares, I can't burn faster than 1x !!!
I am using PRINCO DVD-R media. The clerk told me at the store that many users were successful burning at 4X with their burner on these discs. It doesn't say anything on the CD Case (doesn't say 1X, 2X or 4X).

Question: why is it that, even if I select speed 4X in the software, the write speed caps at 1X ?

All tests were done backuping data from the HD, not video.

Should I start thinking about applying the new firmware (from my currently 2.0c to the new 2.0e)?

DrJOnes666

(edited later: I tried my SONY DVD+RW media, and was able to burn at 2.4X)

[defense]

it is very doubtful the new firmware will help you write on those princo's any faster. First, you might want to do a serach on the media section and you will see what the majority think about princo. They are considered, for the most part, crap disks. Many have had their disks become unplayable within a few months. Check out Ritek or ACCU, those are the inexpensive disks you want to be looking at. Also be careful with Ritek, there are many manufacturer's and many different types, but if you get the right ones, you'll be good to go. But as far as the burn speed, many of the "non-name" brand DVD's say they can only burn at 1x, that's why they are so inexpensive. That's why you have to search and see what people say they've burned certain disks at, and then get those disks, if you have similar hardware. There are many types of Princo too.

Did you try what I said regarding the new download and running in diagnostic setup? If not, try it. If it is something with your system, then moving your drive to another system and flashing it, will almost certainly work. I had to do that with my Maxtor Hard Drive. When I had to run a "low level" format on it, my motherboard wasn't supported by their software, so I had to take my HD to a friends, and install it in his computer, and then run the low level format. Put it back in my computer afterwards, and it worked perfectly! Keep us posted, but do some research on the media on this site....beware of those Princo's.

[DrJOnes666]

Hi defense,

I was able to flash the unit on my second computer without a glitch. I now have firmware 2.0e .


Thansk for the tip about Princo discs. I will NOT backup my photos on these discs like I was planning. Instead, I'll keep them to make video DVD tests. I tried again to burn with the new firmware, and in NERO, I can't selet a higher speed than 1X, and in RecordNow DX it caps at 1X even if I selet a highre speed.

I will search regarding media types in the Forum like you suggested.
Thanks for your help.

DrJOnes666

[defense]

drjones, glad you flashed your drive successfully. As I said, I had to switch my HD to another computer, and sometimes it's either switching out or installing the OS again. Anyway, as far as you selecting the speeds in burning software, it doesn't matter if you select 100x, if the disks are certified at 1x, often times, that's all you can burn at. That's why you have to do a search and check out Ritek, ACCU and a couple of other brands which may be Certified at 1x, but can burn flawlessly at 2x.

The reason you were able to burn at 2.4x with your DVD+RW is because it is certified at 2.4x. If you want to burn at 4x, you need to get 4x media. If you want to burn at 2x, you need to purchase 2x certified media, like Verbatim, TDK, Maxell, just to name a few. Or do what I said and check out the "inexpensive" gems people have success with and save money, but get the luxury of burning 1x certified disks at 2x. Good Luck