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Firmware update for Sony DW-P50A :)

Discussion in 'DVD / Blu-ray drives' started by D_Angle, May 22, 2004.

  1. D_Angle

    D_Angle Member

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    I finaly got HP to release a firmware update for the Sony DW-P50A DVD+RW (laptop). The new firmware version is 1.8f. Works with 4X DVD+RW DVD's

    I have confirmed that it works but they say that it is a beta and will be released around July!!! So if you want to wait it is up to you.

    Here is a link!!

    http://home.nktv.no/~gabmuth/Sony_DW-P50A_firmware_1.8f.exe

    For the moderator!!! If you have possibility could you put the download on your server(s) Please
     
  2. cmadge

    cmadge Member

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    Thanks for this firmware update.
     
  3. D_Angle

    D_Angle Member

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    no problem :)
     
  4. HeyFraydo

    HeyFraydo Member

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    I tried the 1.8f update but need my 1.8c back!!
    Where can I get it???
     
  5. rowee

    rowee Member

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    I've got a HP ze5300 laptop with the Sony DW-P50A DVD+RW - I upgraded the firmware to 1.8f but can't still write to a spindle of TDK DVD+RW 4x (that says 2.4x compatible on the box).

    Any ideas anyone?

    Is there another firmware available?

    I never got the chance to try it on 1.8e - would it make a difference?

    I'm using Nero 6.0.0.0 and I've tried the same on Roxio 5.34 which came with it.

     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2004
  6. Nephilim

    Nephilim Moderator Staff Member

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    Two suggestions:

    1) Get rid of Roxio, it loves to screw up other burning apps. Since you have Nero, Roxio is redundant anyway. After you remove Roxio through Add/Remove you should run zapper60 to remove all the bits left behind:

    http://www.microadvantage.net/downloads/zapper60.zip

    2) Update Nero to it's latest version. The early releases had problems. it may be worthwhile to reinstall Nero as well and then apply the updates :)


     
  7. rowee

    rowee Member

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    Thanks Nephilim for the suggestions, updating Nero to the latestest version doesn't seem to help though. It does seem to make it a little faster in getting the error messages :)

    HP support said the opposite btw! uninstall Nero and install Roxio!

    After a number of troubleshooting failures, HP support seemed to suggest that this is a known issue at and "Please be assured that HP would be releasing an update for this issue in the near future."

    Here's hoping I don't have 50 coasters :)

     
  8. rowee

    rowee Member

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    Hmmm... looks like I still do have a spindle of coasters :(
     
  9. HeyFraydo

    HeyFraydo Member

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    Since I took this 1.8f update can't play a DVD that use to play and still plays on my dvd player. Still can't write to DVD+RW discs 2.4x without errors and the disc getting ejected. I tried NERO too. Did a complete system restore still no luck so sent laptop back to Compaq under warranty. I think it is a bad update but apparently worked for some people as I see on the Internet. I also see alot of people having the same problem or similar. I can write to
    DVD+R discs though. Let you know what happens when I get my laptop back from Compaq. They may just swap the drives which would lead me to believe it was a defective drive. I'd like to know when is this 1.8f update going to get the blessing of HP/Compaq as a legitamate update. I heard possibly July 2004 and that 1.8f is Beta
    but why isn't 1.8d or 1.8e posted ? Are there other variables I missing?
     
  10. rowee

    rowee Member

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    System Restore won't fix things as it's just reverts the software on your hard drive to what it was previously.

    When you use firmware it writes directly to the internal chip on the device (this case the DVD Drive). The only way it can be changed is by the chip being "flashed" again.

    HP Tech support said there isn't any possibily to downgrade the BIOS to anything below 1.8f. I'm sure the HP tech would have a copy of it for testing purposes but they won't release it offically! I don't think they are releasing any other updates too - according to support :(

    My drive works with my old DVDs (at least on DVD+RW 2.4x) but I'm too scared to purchase anything else - especially DVD+RW's. It's really annoying!
     
  11. HeyFraydo

    HeyFraydo Member

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    OK Just received my laptop Compaq Presario 2500 CTO back from Compaq and the drive is working fine playing all DVD's and I burned my 1st DVD+RW on TDK 1X-2.4X and it worked! Looks like they replaced the drive order says repaired/replaced. I'll try to burn to a 1x-4x DVD+RW and let you know the results
     
  12. rowee

    rowee Member

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    Thanks HeyFraydo, I'd be interested to hear the results! I've been comtemplating buying another drive on the desktop...
     
  13. HeyFraydo

    HeyFraydo Member

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    Looks like they did swap my drive for an Hitachi
    HL-DT-STDVD+RW GCA-4040N

    Burned a Memorex DVD+RW 4X real quick and easy

    Must have been a defective drive

     
  14. HeyFraydo

    HeyFraydo Member

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    Try the TDK DVD+RW 1-2.4X I found at Circuit City

    I heard you can't use DVD+RW 1-4x on that drive

    I think that 1.8f firmware update is bogus either that or I did wrong Who knows! I'm happy now

    Now let me find something else to screw up :)

     
  15. HeyFraydo

    HeyFraydo Member

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  16. Svshnikov

    Svshnikov Member

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    Hi! I've just downloaded the approved 1.8f firmware update and still doesn't work, I'm using Princo DVD-R 1-4X. Anyone knows if the problem can be caused by the Princo DVD's? If so, what kind of DVD's would you recommend me to use?

    Thanx,

    Dani.
     
  17. GrandpaBW

    GrandpaBW Active member

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    Princo, according to many posts here over the past several months, has been know to be at the bottom of the food chain. I would try a different media. Ritek and Verbatim come to mind, right away.
    _X_X_X_X_X_[small]Bruce Wallace
    Vietnam Vet - 1970 - 1971

    3.06 Ghz Intel P4 CPU
    Asus P4C800-E Deluxe Motherboard
    1Gig Corsair 3200 LLPro DDR Ram
    Plextor PX 708A DVD Burner
    Sony CRX320E DVD 16x + CD-RW 52x24x52 Combo
    ATI Radeon 9700 Pro Video Card
    Audigy2 Platinum[/small]
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2004

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