DVD multi failing

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seaweedsl · #1 Post by **seaweedsl** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 2:08 pm

Hi guys. I need help (again).

My R50P Matshita DVD-RAM UJ-811 optical drive is failing to read CDs. I tried various discs and no luck.

First off, I uninstalled Daemon tools in case it was that because I had recently installed it. No luck.

I uninstalled the optical driver in device manager and rebooted.

It installed normally and now i get the

" D is not accessible. Request could not be performed because of an I/O error"

I managed to get a factory DVD to work, but none of my CDs will read, factory or burned. DVDs work sometimes but other times the same one will not. The ones with the "Interactual player" crap will work.

I have seen a lot of reports of this drive having problems in Toshibas and tried some of the solutions offered for them:

Changed mode to PIO only.
Remove and reinstall.
Turn off and remove battery while drive is removed.
Removed Daemon tools
change speed mode in BIOS for this drive.
Microsoft update
Thinkvantage system update

No luck. I wonder if it's the drive or Windows. Anybody seen this ?

Steve

#2 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 2:14 pm

Run PC-Doctor for DOS. That will test the drive outside of windows. You'll have to create a boot CD or diskette though. Search for this utility at the Lenovo site.

seaweedsl · #3 Post by **seaweedsl** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 2:52 pm

I ran pc doctor in Windows and it failed all tests.

As far as booting with something, I can't get it to boot anything from CD and, of course, there is no floppy.....

I just tried with "The ultimate boot disc" which usually works. You can hear the drive trying to access, making noise like it's a bad disc, then it eventually gives up.

I have a friend coming next week with an R51, I can always swap drives to see what happens....

Beyond that ?

Has anybody seen problems with these UJ-811 s? They sure have a bad rep on other machines....

Steve

#4 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 3:06 pm

seaweedsl wrote:I ran pc doctor in Windows and it failed all tests.

Sorry, but it sounds like the drive is toast.

ajkula66 · #5 Post by **ajkula66** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:04 pm

This is VERY common with multiburners that R50Ps have originally shipped with...

I've managed to get all of them to install from restore disks, and all of them (and that's more than a dozen) to play ANY type of DVD.

Some will read and burn CDs with no issues.

Some will read only the ones they feel like reading.

Personally, I've always had both a regular CD-RW/DVD and a multi-burner set aside for R50P that I've been using at that point. It may not be the most technically correct solution, but it has been a simple and an inexpensive one, and it has worked very well for me.

Good luck.

seaweedsl · #6 Post by **seaweedsl** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:05 pm

Yes, I think that if it won't boot, from CD then the drive is on the way out.

Time for a new one.

If I understand correctly, I can buy any DVD-RW that is - what 12 mm? and install it in the multi-bay sled?

Any recommendations for a good reliable drive?

Thanks,
Steve

ajkula66 · #7 Post by **ajkula66** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:18 pm

You can use a multiburner-or any other drive-for T4 series. It won't look as pretty, but it will work with no modifications, to the best of my belief.

seaweedsl · #8 Post by **seaweedsl** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:43 am

Thanks for the advice guys.

And I might get a combo as a spare, if cheap enough.

Still, I want a DVD multi if possible and hope to find a reliable, non- "Matshita UJ811" drive as a replacement.

Not the same one, which as you are saying, has a history of problems.

Another brand even, though I read that Toshiba was replacing UJ811s in their laptops with the UJ811-B as a fix.

Looking on Ebay for an ultrabay enhanced drive, I found this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0165195784

BUT I wonder if it's the same UJ811 that I want to avoid.

On the other hand, if there is a way to install a generic laptop in my existing ultrabay sled, then this looks good:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0163016212

Is that do-able? Can I adapt a generic? Does the sled come off? I didn't see any breakdown in the manual for that...

Thanks,
Steve

Steve

#9 Post by **Harryc** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:37 am

That first drive auction is most likely a Panasonic UJ-811B. As far as using a blank drive and installing UB rails, it is possible to use the rails, but then you need to worry about the faceplate. The button and lights need to be in the same position on the new drive as old.

seaweedsl · #10 Post by **seaweedsl** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:32 am

Harryc wrote:That first drive auction is most likely a Panasonic UJ-811B. As far as using a blank drive and installing UB rails, it is possible to use the rails, but then you need to worry about the faceplate. The button and lights need to be in the same position on the new drive as old.

Two questions:

Looking at the outside, I just noticed that my failed one is actually an 811B . I think I want to avoid all UJ-811s, considering that. Too flaky. Can you confirm that it's one to avoid?

I wonder about that generic drive I linked to. Did you see it? It looks like a fit, though I need to measure.

Elsewhere for this drive, it says:
UNIVERSAL Internal Notebook DVD Burner fit Most HP, Sony, E-machine, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba, Acer, Asus, SysteMax Laptops

Deattachable face, you can always use your old drive's face with it Please measure your old drive to confirm if it is univeral laptop internal drive like this. Some MFG may purposely design some of their own stardards. Please compare with the measurement provided on the product pictures

I can't tell about the button and light.

Is there anywhere that people have listed alternative drives that work for ultrabay? The forum search doesnt seem to work very well for me.

Thanks,
Steve

ajkula66 · #11 Post by **ajkula66** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:39 am

Why not just buy a multiburner for T4 series? There should be a plenty of them around...

seaweedsl · #12 Post by **seaweedsl** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:46 am

ajkula66 wrote:Why not just buy a multiburner for T4 series? There should be a plenty of them around...

I'm guessing that you are implying that the ones used for T4 are more reliable than the 811?

Think I could get a new one for $50-$60?

Thanks,
Steve

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