firmware upgrade question for dvd drive

[bitt3n]

I am trying to get my new sony ddu1621 dvd-rom drive to work with XP by upgrading the firmware with one from this site:

http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=180

I am not sure whether to use the 'S4.2' firmware or the 'RPC-1' firmware. Can anyone tell me which one I should choose? I understand that RPC-1 is region locked, but I don't know why I would want one or the other. Thanks!

 

[Zepper]

I wouldn't use firmware updates from anywhere but the Sony site. Voids the warranty doncha know...

.bh.

The :sun:, the :sun: !

 

[bitt3n]

well, sony doesn't have a firmware update listed for this, and the drive is out of warranty anyway. basically I just want to make a quick attempt to fix it with a firmware upgrade and if it doesn't work, I'm going to get rid of it.

the firmware on the drive now is 1.7. I read somewhere that I should only use 1.x firmware to replace it. the drive was manufactured in 2002 do you'd think it would be XP compatible already and not require an upgrade, which would suggest it's just busted. however I have 2 of them and neither of them works, while my other CD drive on my system works fine and the sony drive gets recognized by the OS fine.

I'm about ready to toss it but I hate throwing away hardware. any suggestions would be great. thanks

 

[Zepper]

Does it not even read CDs? Here is a link to S2.7: Link .
And here is the Sony support page where you can get S2.72 and the ASPI patch etc.: Link .

.bh.

 

[bitt3n]

thanks, I didn't see those links on the sony dvd drive page I found.

I have 2 of these drives (same model). One drive reads CDs sometimes, and some DVDs but not others. The other drive doesn't seem to read anything, although it powers on and spins. Both drives are recognized fine by the OS.

 

[Zepper]

Also try installing the Adaptec ASPI layer software (DL from Adaptec.com) I know it says it's for SCSI but it seems to fix strange DVD problems too.
.bh.

 

[bitt3n]

hm, I installed the new driver but it didn't help. I went to the adaptec site and downloaded the aspi layer driver, but the instructions say:

For Windows XP, select Start - Run from the menu, and then the Browse button. Locate the INSTALL.BAT file in the directory the files extracted to and select the OPEN button. In the command box, add a space and either XP32 for Pentium I/II/III/IV processors or XP64 for Itanium processors. The command should look like: c:\adaptec\aspi\install.bat XP32 or c:\adaptec\aspi\install.bat XP64. Then select the OK button to run the XP installer.

I am using an athlon64 chip. Do you think it's definitely OK to use the XP64 instructions "for Itanium processors?" Thanks for your help.

here's the link to the driver page:
http://adaptec.com/worldwide/s...&filekey=aspi_v470.exe

 

[Zepper]

XP32 is for 32bit Windows XP
XP64 is for 64bit Windows XP

It relates to the version of WinXP you're running (the 32 or 64 bit version), NOT the bitness of the processor.

.bh.

 

[bitt3n]

well, I flashed both drives, and had no luck with either. One drive won't read anything at all (and never has), and the other drive occasionally reads a disc if I stick it in enough times. Both drives get recognized fine by the system, and my CD ROM drive works fine also (on the same IDE channel). I also ran that Adaptec ASPI layer software.

Is there anything else I could try, or do I basically have a pair of geeky bookends on my hands?

Thanks for your help.