1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

HP DVD Writer 740b - Upgrade or flash?

Discussion in 'DVD / Blu-ray drives' started by xSModder, Feb 19, 2007.

  1. xSModder

    xSModder Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2005
    Messages:
    87
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Hi, my drive has been acting up recently. It is not liking to read and/or burn DVD+,-,DL media. Sometimes even burning CDs is painful.

    I found a tutorial on CD freaks (http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=178207Drive) to flash my drive to a higher version, i.e. 840, which sounds pretty good. However, my firmware for the drive isn't the latest, i.e. HJ24 (currently FF24)

    And if I decide to skip the tiny update and just flash, I see that my drive is actually the same as the LG GSA-4166B. Should I just say the hell with calling it an HP and just use the firmwares provided on this site? (http://italianjob.ifrance.com/?)

    Anyways, thanks for all the help. If you need to, take a look at the drive specs provided by Nero InfoTool:

    Information
    ------------------
    Drive : HP DVD Writer 740b
    Type : DVD±R/RW DL Recorder
    Firmware Version : FF24
    Buffer Size : 2 MB
    Date : 05-07-15
    Serial Number : 4423GD48
    Vendor Specific : 05/07/15
    Drive Letter : E:\
    Location : 0:1
    Mechanism : Tray
    Read Speed : 40 X
    Write Speed : 40 X

    Read CD Text : Yes
    Return C2 Pointers : No
    Read CD-R : Yes
    Read CD-RW : Yes
    Read DVD-ROM : Yes
    Read DVD-RAM : No
    Read DVD-R : Yes
    Read DVD-RW : Yes
    Read DVD+R : Yes
    Read DVD+RW : Yes
    Read DVD+R DL : Yes
    Read BD-ROM : No
    Read BD-R : No
    Read BD-RE : No
    Read Digital Audio : Yes
    Read CD+G : No
    Read VideoCD : Yes

    Write CD-R : Yes
    Write CD-RW : Yes
    Write DVD-R : Yes
    Write DVD-RW : Yes
    Write DVD-R DL : Yes
    Write DVD+R : Yes
    Write DVD+RW : Yes
    Write DVD+R DL : Yes
    Write DVD-RAM : No
    Write BD-R : No
    Write BD-RE : No
    Buffer Underrun Protection : Yes
    Mount Rainier : No
    Modes : Packet, TAO, DAO, SAO, RAW SAO, RAW DAO, RAW SAO 16, RAW SAO 96, RAW DAO 16, RAW DAO 96

    Region Protection Control : RPC II
    Region : 1
    Changes User : 4
    Changes Vendor : 4

    Interface Information
    ---------------------
    Adapter 2
    ---------
    Description : Secondary IDE Channel

    Driver
    Description : System32\DRIVERS\atapi.sys
    Company : Microsoft Corporation
    Version : 5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
    Description : IDE/ATAPI Port Driver

    Attached Devices
    Description : Master: Maxtor 6L200P0
    Type : Disk Drive
    DMA : On
     
  2. onya

    onya Guest

    Create a new restore point then upgrade your firmware, don't forget to do a restart, and give the drives lens a clean, and all should be well. If anything goes horribly wrong with the firmware update, use system restore to take you back. If the "acting up" continues, you may be faced with replacing the drive.

    Cheers.
     
  3. joshj05

    joshj05 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    11
    Hey are you having problems with your HP DVD740 too...SO did you get it working?..if so let me know...awhile ago I switched it to HT-DT-ST GSA-4166B and its still the same....I read the same forum you did...SO let me know if you got it to work...
     
  4. fanbike

    fanbike Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2007
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    11
    Since the beginning my 740b does not read and/or write CDs while it works fine with DVDs.

    I tried different CD makers (TDK, Verbatim, Philips, etc.). No way.

    I have recently updated the 740b firmware (now is HI24) and cleaned the lens. Same result.
     

Share This Page