Hello, I purchased a COMPUSA Dual Format Double Layer DVD+/-RW Drive. It says 16x DVD+/-R Write Speed. 8x DVD+RW Re-Write Speed. 6x DVD-RW Re-Write Speed. 48x CD-R Write Speed. Although for some reason I can NEVER get over a 1x write speed on any DVD+R discs. They are Memorex DVD+R discs. If you have any ideas why it will not write any faster than 1x it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
hello SpamBoxer, this one is quite difficult but i will give it a try, first of all, we need to know WHO actually manufacturers that COMPUSA drive that you recently purchased... something you could do to HELP ME help YOU would be to download and run this program to see what is the CURRENT firmware for your drive (the firmware revision will be found right after ur drive's model number at the top of the program): http://dvd.identifier.cdfreaks.com/ this program is also especially useful to determine WHICH manufacturer made those Memorex discs you are using as well (the MID coding is what i need to know) from the BASIC info you have provided thus far, the write speed is MOST PROBABLY due to 1: out of date firmware to properly recognize the media you are using, 2: your system has reverted back to PIO mode when it should be set to DMA mode for your burner, 3: poor quality media will limit you as to how fast you can actually burn to them (available write speeds)... once i know more about what we are dealing with here in your situation, i can give ya more advice to get the speed up again... docTY
Thank you very much docTY this is what it says for the drive at the top. S: ATAPI DVD DD 8X16X8X16X - [FW GSLB] - USB The manufacturer ID for the Memorex discs is CMC MAG. I assume that is what you needed. Any more information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the help.
hi SpamBoxer, ok, from what others have stated regarding this drive (quick search on google), per chance when you bought it from Compusa, was it with a "HI-Val" label? meaning it was a "hi-val" brand on the box? if so, then there is a chance that the internals COULD be a Benq 1640 (which is an excellent drive btw), and we could get you going... however, i also noticed that this is an external drive (by the USB you mentioned after the firmware revision), so there is a possibility that your slow burn speeds are in direct relation to the USB 2.0 connection, would you happen to have a different cable you could try to connect your external drive to your computer? also, are you running this off a laptop or a desktop computer? what are the basic specs on your computer? (amount of memory-RAM- you have, processor speed, operating system) there have been times that burn speeds from drives connected EXTERNALLY were hindered due to a poor connection via USB, and in your case, the use of CMC MAG media is NOT going to help you (i am guessing that the write descriptor speeds for this media is also limiting you from burning faster, check my sig. for GOOD quality media, however, we need to resolve the slow burn issue first -hardware issue/connections before you go out and get better media) here are some suggestions in this link from users that have experience with your burner and USB connection, it seems like some cross-flashing might be involved if yours is indeed a benq 1640, the boys over here could help you in determining what drive you have, and how to proceed from there, they are much more knowledeable about drives than i am... http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=159996 good luck docTY
Well, I really do not understand what you mean by "Hi-Val" it just says COMPUSA on the box. Also th Memorex discs say they are 16X DVD+R discs and state some drives may record a firmware update to get them to burn at 16X although I am not even getting 1X. Below is the direct link to the one I purchased not to long ago, http://www.compusa.com/products/pro...de=320104&Pn=16x_External_USB_DL_DVD_RW_Drive I am using the USB Cable that came with the drive so I am not sure if that is the problem although I can try another probably. I am running it on my eMachines Desktop computer. Here are some specs, Windows XP Home Edtion with Service Pack 2 Intel Celeron 2.60GHz 512 MB Ram
as much as i would like to get you up and running again, i am not familiar with this particular drive you have...the Compusa one that you are using... the slow burns you are having are MORE THAN LIKELY the fact that you are using 16x rated discs..AND the fact that your firmware is not updated to be able to properly read/identify the newer 16x media...one thing you could try, that is very easy to begin with, is get a small spindle of 8x rated or even 4x rated media...since i'm pretty sure your firwmare currently will more than suffice to handle the 4x or 8x rated discs, the 16x rated are newer to the market and without a proper firmware update, write speeds as well as recognition is 'not up to par' without updated firmware... also, my suggestion to you is NOT getting any more Memorex discs, the CMC MAG manufacturer is not exactly what MANY members here would consider "good quality"...try to look for Verbatim (made in taiwan) locally in stores, but make sure you get a 8x rated or even the slower 4x rated discs, then give it a try, you SHOULD be able to get them burning faster than ur current 1x with your current firmware, which is an unacceptable speed on ANY media, regardless of what speed it's rated... like i mentioned, if you post your issue over at the cdfreaks, THEY know much more about your drive than i ever will, and i will leave you with that...unless someone else here can add to what i have stated, don't know what else you can do at this point... docTY
