Dell Laptop - Philips SDVD8820 DVD-+ RW is a POS

[metroplex]

I just bought a Dell Inspiron 6400 / E1505 that came with a free upgrade Philips 8x DVD+/-R/RW (SDVD8820).

It's an 8x drive, that records at a max of 6x with Memorex 8X DVD-R discs, and to top it off. It cannot burn data properly!!!

A full DVD disc session results in several noticeable "rings" on the etching, which suggests a recording error. Dell sent a replacement drive and it did not fix the problem.

I am using the latest Nero 7 version. There are no firmware updates for this drive. Dell India doesn't understand what I am trying to tell them. What should I do?

I think this is a drive/firmware problem because my Pioneer DVD-116 will burn the SAME media at 12x (Remember that it is Memorex 8x DVD-R) w/o any problems.

 

[Barfo]

have you tried burning with different brands of media?

 

[BladeVenom]

The last batch of Memorex DVDs I got didn't work in any burner.

 

[Foghorn]

memorex media, feh....urp, plants beets all over the floor

 

[hondo58]

I have the 9400/1705 laptop with this drive also. The problem with mine was caused by the Nero 7 ultra software. Removed Nero and now using Roxio 8 with no problems. Drive works fine.

 

[hondo58]

Using TDK and Sony Media also

 

[froggg]

Hello,
I bought a Dell Inspiron too with the same Philips DVD+/-R/RW drive.
I couldn't burn data on DVDs. I searched on many forums and all what i got was that "Philips SDVD8820" drive is not a good one so i mailed DELL to ask for a firmware or something and after a drive test they send me a new one. The new one is a NEC and it burns perfectly.
So why don't you ask DELL, telling your DVD drive doesn't work properly and also telling them you've been on forums where many people seemed to have seach problems with this drive.
I think they already know about this problem 'cause they replaced my philips with a nec very quickly. I mailed them on monday and the next wednesday i get the new one.

ciao
Froggg