Ricoh manufactured media is the good stuff. A lot of members say to stay away from Memorex, but that was because of the CMC Magnetics manufactured DVDs. I'm using the same Memorex/Ricoh now and getting good results. I didn't see the power calibration error, at least that may have gone away. Did you ever try updating the firmware? Here is the firmware page http://support.necam.com/Optical/downloads/FlashFirmware/ and here is the link to download the 1.07 firmware version your drive calls for http://support.necam.com/Optical/downloads/FlashFirmware/fw/ND3550A_v107.exe . If you don't know how, the instructions should be on the NEC site.
Thank you LOCOENG for fixing my img. Thank you Pacman for the link to the fireware. I updated and it needed it. I thought maybe, so I crossed my fingers and tried. here are the results. I 10:25:50 DVD Decrypter Version 3.5.4.0 started! I 10:25:50 Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600 : Service Pack 2) I 10:25:50 Initialising SPTI... I 10:25:50 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices... I 10:25:51 Found 1 DVD-ROM/CD-RW and 1 DVD±RW! I 10:26:08 Operation Started! I 10:26:08 Source File: C:\UNACCOMPANIED_MINORS.ISO I 10:26:08 Source File Sectors: 2,244,078 (MODE1/2048) I 10:26:08 Source File Size: 4,595,871,744 bytes I 10:26:08 Source File Implementation Identifier: DVD Shrink I 10:26:08 Destination Device: [1:0:0] _NEC DVD_RW ND-3550A 1.07 (D (ATA) I 10:26:08 Destination Media Type: DVD+R (Disc ID: RICOHJPN-R03-04) (Speeds: 2.4x, 4x, 6x, 8x, 12x, 16x) I 10:26:08 Destination Media Sectors: 2,295,104 I 10:26:08 Write Mode: DVD I 10:26:08 Write Type: SAO I 10:26:08 Write Speed: 8x I 10:26:08 Link Size: Auto I 10:26:08 Test Mode: No I 10:26:08 BURN-Proof: Enabled I 10:26:08 Filling Buffer... I 10:26:10 Writing LeadIn... I 10:27:08 Writing Image... W 10:35:02 Failed to Write Sectors 1258720 - 1258751 - No Seek Complete W 10:35:02 Retrying (1 of 20)... W 10:35:02 Retry Failed - Write Error W 10:35:05 Retrying (20 of 20)... W 10:35:05 Retry Failed! - Write Error E 10:35:17 Failed to Write Sectors 1258720 - 1258751 - No Seek Complete I 10:35:17 Synchronising Cache... I 10:35:17 Closing Track... I 10:35:18 Finalising Disc... E 10:35:18 Failed to Write Image! E 10:35:18 Operation Failed! - Duration: 00:09:10 I 10:35:18 Average Write Rate: 5,158 KB/s (3.7x) - Maximum Write Rate: 8,662 KB/s (6.3x) This is what I don't get...Failed to Write Sectors 1258720 - 1258751 - No Seek Complete. This is what looks like the issue to me. What does this mean? And, is this what the problem is? Hope you all had a good day yesterday. I know I did and ate way too much as always. Thanks again for all your help with this irritating aggravating @#$%^ dvd issues.
This is the point at which I'd open the case and take a look at the connections and drive. If all looked well, I'd swap out the drive with one that's definitely working. I realize everyone doesn't have that extra drive. I usually have a new one lying around or a PC with a drive I can borrow for a few minutes. That's the quickest and easiest way to check for a drive hardware problem. If you have Nero, you could try a burn with it and post the log. Nero usually supplies a more indepth log and can sometimes help diagnose problems a little better.
Yes I do too Brock.Pacman has been on top of this problem from the start. I do have another dvd burner as a matter of fact. It's in my ol'mans computer.He doesn't want me taking it out however. So I thought I would just put my dvd decryter and shirnk on his and try it out like that. Does anyone see a problem with that? It will still let me know if mine is not working, right? Oh and yes my cd burner is working just fine.Anyway, I'm getting a late start today. My Panthers got their asses handed to them yesterday, so I was drinking a little more than usual.I'll get it done sometime time today though and post it tonight. Thanks again guys.
Using your old man's PC will only tell you if his drive is burning OK, it tells you little about your system other than what you already know. The steps are easy for doing an optical drive swap. If it's a tool free case, it's even easier.
Hey Pacman. Thanks I thought so but I wasn't sure. I am the one who built his computer, so I am sure it would be no problem to swap out the drives. As a matter of fact I will try to do it today while he's at work. He just didn't want to be without while I was foolin around. lol
That's using your head. I usually do things like that before anyone knows. Since I build and do the repairing, I claim use rights on all the PCs around the place.
Whoo Who!!!! Well it worked. All I had to do was swap out the drives. Mine is apparently through. I guess I know what to ask Santa for. lol Just encase anyone wants to look at this .... I 15:53:12 DVD Decrypter Version 3.5.4.0 started! I 15:53:12 Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600 : Service Pack 2) I 15:53:12 Initialising SPTI... I 15:53:12 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices... I 15:53:12 Found 1 DVD-RAM/±RW! I 15:54:08 Operation Started! I 15:54:08 Source File: C:\300.ISO I 15:54:08 Source File Sectors: 2,285,843 (MODE1/2048) I 15:54:08 Source File Size: 4,681,406,464 bytes I 15:54:08 Source File Implementation Identifier: DVD Shrink I 15:54:08 Destination Device: [1:0:0] Optiarc DVD RW AD-7170A 1.02 (D (ATA) I 15:54:08 Destination Media Type: DVD+R (Disc ID: RICOHJPN-R03-04) (Speeds: 2.4x, 4x, 6x, 8x, 12x, 16x) I 15:54:08 Destination Media Sectors: 2,295,104 I 15:54:08 Write Mode: DVD I 15:54:08 Write Type: SAO I 15:54:08 Write Speed: 8x I 15:54:08 Link Size: Auto I 15:54:08 Test Mode: No I 15:54:08 BURN-Proof: Enabled I 15:54:08 Filling Buffer... I 15:54:09 Writing LeadIn... I 15:54:36 Writing Image... I 16:04:42 Synchronising Cache... I 16:04:43 Closing Track... I 16:04:57 Finalising Disc... I 16:05:12 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:11:04 I 16:05:12 Average Write Rate: 7,556 KB/s (5.5x) - Maximum Write Rate: 11,484 KB/s (8.3x) I 16:05:12 Cycling Tray before Verify... I 16:05:30 Operation Started! I 16:05:30 Source Device: [1:0:0] Optiarc DVD RW AD-7170A 1.02 (D (ATA) I 16:05:30 Source Media Type: DVD+R (Disc ID: RICOHJPN-R03-04) (Speeds: 2.4x, 4x, 6x, 8x, 12x, 16x) I 16:05:30 Verifying Sectors... I 16:10:34 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:05:04 I 16:10:34 Average Verify Rate: 15,038 KB/s (10.9x) - Maximum Verify Rate: 21,910 KB/s (15.8x) Thank you guys,very much. Merry Merry, Happy Happy. Jeannie
Jeannie You're welcome. Glad we got the problem solved. Happy holidays. Just to be sure, you can help Santa out by doing the shopping yourself. LOL
Hey, I'm back. I was just wonderin. I bought that dvd-rw from Tiger Direct this past Jan.I have always been pleased with everything I have ever bought from them,but,Damn, I have burned like 200 or 250 something like that. Did I just wear the thing out? Do I really need to buy a more expensive brand to have it last longer? That one I got on sale for $30. They have a Sony right now for $40 is that a better one. I need to do some research before I get one this time. I just told my Hubby last night that mine is dead and I'm going to be using his until I get one. He doesn't even use his so he was not upset. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.Thanks, Jeannie
I bought a sony and to this day it still burns movies with skips in it I've updated firmware and changed dvdr brands but with no luck but that is what happen to me I got a bad one $39.99 down the drain
Jeannie Asking that question on a forum sometimes gets you all the horror stories and personal recommendations you'd want to stay confused. There's a thread going on the subject already. I've used a number of drives with good results. Among them are Plextor, Sony, Memorex, HP, Samsung, and Asus. Noticing reviews, the older Sony drives did better. I noticed some advertisement that said your drive was sold in some markets under Sony-NEC-Optiarc. That leads me to the thought that Sony, NEC, and Optiarc may be selling some of the same drives with different badges. I've still got an old 4X DVD burner working in one of the kids old PCs. It's an old P3 system. Your drive wearing out so quick doesn't sound normal, but I'm not sure what the average lifespan is for a DVD burner. Some people use them a lot more than others making the time they hang around different. With the current low prices, I wonder if something is being lost in quality as well. Lite-On has been getting good reviews and you can pick them up at Wal Mart. HP makes a good drive. The PC I favor most now has a dual burner setup with a Plex and HP. The Plex I'm using is no longer in stock and the newer Plextors are made by a different company. A lot changes in a year or so. One of the reasons I suggest Lite-On is that it booktypes. Plus, with all the good reviews, there are at least some satisfied customers. So, you have a chance of being one as well. If your drive isn't a year old, it may still be under warranty. You'd have to look over the warranty or check with the manufacturer. TigerDirect should still have the sale date if you don't have the papers, if they even ask. Often the manufacturer simply takes the old drive and sends out a refurbished unit of the same model. It's worth checking into. You may save a few dollars.
Thanks Pacman. I never even thought about asking at tiger Direct. I still have my papers I believe. I talked it over with the other half last night and I think since I burn so much that I will just grab a good deal at Tiger and buy two. That way when I burn one out I'll have another on hand. Doesn't hurt to have an extra anyway.
TigerDirect would no longer be responsible. Usually you only have a short period to return defective merchandise to a vendor. After that you have to deal with the manufacturer. I only mentioned TigerDirect because most vendors keep good records because things are on computer and for credit card purposes. At today's costs, you're right, it won't break the bank to have 2. I hate to stock much though due to the way things change. But sometimes that's not always for the best, as with Plextor. TigerDirect has a sale going. I noticed a person can buy an entire P4 PC for about what I paid for my first burner. LOL Single core P4 tech got old fast. I didn't notice if they had burner included in the sale or not.
Jeannie48, a good burner should last a long while {3000 to 5000 burns) so buying two isn't necessary. the best brands are 1. Pioneer 2. Lite-On 3. Samsung Plextor don't make there drives anymore so its pointless to pay the extra for Plextor .There rebadged pioneer drives with an NEC chipset
