Anyone flash the TDK 12X10X32 with Plextor Firmware???

LarryJoe

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 1999
2,425
0
0
As most of you know, the TDK 12X10X32 is a rebadged Plextor 12X10X32, i.e. same drive.

Has anyone flashed the TDK with Plextor firmware? Up until yesterday, they both were using firmware version 1.05. Yesterday, Plextor posted this:

Version 1.07


<< Date posted: November 27, 2000
Improved write performance and quality with Pioneer 8x CD-R media
Improved Digital Audio Extraction (reading Audio data from CD-DA discs) speed. Drive now capable of 32x maximum audio extraction.
Improved reading of CD-Text data on CD-Text Audio CDs.
Fixed a bug that occurred only on Mac systems when making an Audio CD. This did not occur with all WAV or AIFF files. This occurred only with certain files where the last set of data being sent to the drive by the software from the whole file was larger than 64kbytes. This resulted in an Audio track that contained folded over sound at the end of the track.
Fixed bug with some motherboards that intermittently did not detect the drive in the motherboard BIOS.
>>



Nothing on the TDK site, still 1.05.

LJ
 

dcdomain

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2000
5,158
0
71
Ditto, I'm dying to find out if anyone has done it successfully. I'm new at flashing firmware (BIOS, CDR's or whatever). So if anyone has done it successfully, can you give us a walk through? I heard that if you are using Win2k it's almost impossible to flash the firmware. Forgot the reason why though. So since I'm running Win98SE right now I'd like to get this done before I move it over to a Win2k box.
 

Fumiup

Senior member
Sep 24, 2000
357
0
0
?I remember reading that both drives are made by Sanyo? and since Burn-Proof is Copyrighted by Sanyo...

hmmm... no clue



www.burn-proof.com

Of course I've never had buffer run errors so I can't complain.
I went from a Mitsumi 4802te to a Sony Spressa CRX160e.
 

frustrated2

Golden Member
Mar 12, 2000
1,187
0
0
Well guys I am dying to know this as well:) I have an imation/plextor drive that I flashed to a plextor and it was really painless only took a total of 2 seconds. The flash utility that I have would only flash if it is a plextor made writer I think?(that was what the guy that emailed it to me said) Did anyone buy their writer from best buy? If so try to flash it, if it doesn't work and ruins it take it back and get a new one. ONLY try this if its UNDER 14 DAYS OLD I don't think they have to take it back if its older. I have the flash utility for my writer it might be the same although I doubt it. There should be a utility at plextor's website Just my 2 cents:)
 

frustrated2

Golden Member
Mar 12, 2000
1,187
0
0
If there are any brave souls out there I will email the flash utility to them if they want to give it a try. LMK:)
 

LarryJoe

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 1999
2,425
0
0
lite That's for the 8/4/32. Be careful, someone could have loaded that and trashed thier drive.

I am hoping that the firmware on Plextors site, which is a flasher and firmware in one file, will kust load up on the TDK. I would not try any cracked firmware or flashers. It is not that important, I would rather have the luxury of upgrading firmware in real time and not have to wait for someone to crack each version.

I may give it a shot.

LJ
 

Dulanic

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2000
9,957
581
136
Youll never know until you try :) I flashed my Iomega with a Sanyo firmware since its a sanyo drive..... it worked :) So stop sitting around and try it!
 

LarryJoe

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 1999
2,425
0
0
I don't want to be too hasty as it has only been 1 day since Plextor posted the 1.07. This will be a good gauge in determining if TDK is going to be on the ball with firmware updates and release them in real time with Plextor. Don't get me wrong, if 1.07 is not on the TDK site by the end of the week, I will take the plunge.

LJ
 

divinemartyr

Platinum Member
Oct 18, 2000
2,439
1
71
LarryJoe:

I've read that the TDK is simply a rebadged plextor drive, so from that standpoint would assume it safe to flash your VeloCD with the plextor firmware. However, let me ask you this. Some of those improvements sound nice and all, faster DAE, improved cd-text (if you've even been burning this to begin with) and if you're running a mac, things will be a bit more stable, but are these features worth risking your burner over? Why not just wait until TDK releases their version of the firmware? They've been right behind plextor on all the other firmware releases. I have the TDK drive as well, but I'll wait on the TDK firmware release ;)

divinemartyr
 

LarryJoe

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 1999
2,425
0
0
divinemartyr:

Thanks for the info on TDK and thier firmware schedule. I have only had this drive for a few weeks and was curious if TDK would be right behind Plextor with new firmware. As far as flashing with Plextor firmware, guess I am just bored and wanted to know if it would work. You are right though, not worth risking the drive.

LJ
 

Linh

Platinum Member
Oct 10, 1999
2,409
0
0
I'm extremely interested because i already have the plextor ultraplex and would like to use plextor's bit to bit copying software, but i'm too chicken sh*t to try it myself :)
 

frustrated2

Golden Member
Mar 12, 2000
1,187
0
0
Well guys I have a flash utility that is supposed to work with the TDK. Anyone want to try it?? I don't have the drive or I would give it a worle. I got the utility from the same guy that I got the imation/plextor utility from. LMK
 

dcdomain

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2000
5,158
0
71
case? did you check out his car? DAMN! by the way, where can I get an AC vent installed like that in front of my computer? hehehe... :D
 

divinemartyr

Platinum Member
Oct 18, 2000
2,439
1
71
See Larry? A little patience paid off and there it is =) I love this drive, very spiffy looking and just as good as a plextor! Not to mention I picked it up just recently and sent in for my $50 rebate from TDK! For some reason though I ended up with 4 of the rebate forms. If anyone recently purchased this drive and needs a copy of the rebate form, I'd be happy to send you one for the cost of postage.

divinemartyr
 

LarryJoe

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 1999
2,425
0
0
LOL:) Thanks. Those are my toys these days. My home theatre system in my living room got overtaken by 4 year olds and Pokemon! The case is an Enlight 7237 w/300w PS. A very popular case and I am very happy. The air register keeps things cool in the summer. Getting some Kilpsh Promedia's for XMAS and looking forward to them.

divinemartyr - you were right, like clock work, 2 days! Can't wait to flash tonight. BTW, I heard you should disable DMA before flashing.

LJ