T43 1871 Problem with CDROM (write)

[CeeBee]

Model: HL-DT-STRW/DVD GCC-4242N (OEM drive in T43 1871-4BU)
Firmware: 0201

Can someone confirm if the above is the latest firmware for the subject CDROM drive. If not, kindly provide a download link to, and/or suggestion to where I can find, the very latest firmware. TIA.

Issue: the drive works fine and passes all "read" tests, however, can't "write" to CD-R and CD-RW media.

[ajkula66]

Sounds like a defective drive to me...

[RealBlackStuff]

Is there an exclamation mark next to it in Device Manager?
If so, see post #4 here: http://forums.driverguide.com/showthread.php?t=23761

And never mind firmware updates, usually they do more harm than good...

[CeeBee]

Sounds like a defective drive to me...

Could be. But, as long as the drive reads the DVD/CD disks okay, I can use it. Nevertheless, it would be nice to fix the write error. Anything I can do to shake life into the drive or to determine that the write function is dead-dead?

P.S.: here is the complete test report (PC-Doctor 5 for Windows Log File):

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4242N ATA Device
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Number HL-DT-STRW/DVD GCC-4242N
Firmware Revision 0201
Controller Master
Drive Letter J
Readable Media CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW
Writable Media CD-R, CD-RW
Write Strategy TAO, SAO, RAW, RAW-MS
Driver c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys
Version 6.1.7601.17514, 6-21-2006

(CD-ROM Drive) Linear Seek Test
Event Type Description Time
Test Started - Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:00:35
Test Finished Passed Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:02:56

(CD-ROM Drive) Random Seek Test
Event Type Description Time
Test Started - Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:02:57
Test Finished Passed Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:03:11

(CD-ROM Drive) Funnel Seek Test
Event Type Description Time
Test Started - Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:03:11
Test Finished Passed Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:03:23

(CD-ROM Drive) Linear Read Compare Test
Event Type Description Time
Test Started - Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:03:24
Test Finished Passed Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:04:11

(CD-ROM Drive) CD Audio Test
Event Type Description Time
Test Started - Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:04:12
Test Finished Passed Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:07:13

(DVD Drive) Linear Seek Test
Event Type Description Time
Test Started - Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:07:13
Test Finished Passed Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:10:28

(DVD Drive) Random Seek Test
Event Type Description Time
Test Started - Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:10:29
Test Finished Passed Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:10:47

(DVD Drive) Funnel Seek Test
Event Type Description Time
Test Started - Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:10:48
Test Finished Passed Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:11:04

(DVD Drive) Linear Read Compare Test
Event Type Description Time
Test Started - Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:11:05
Test Finished Passed Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:12:36

(CD-RW Drive) Read Write Test
Event Type Description Time
Test Started - Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:12:37
Error Message Error writing to block 0. Pass 0, write speed 4X - SCSI Error 3005H. Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:13:47
Error Message Error writing to block 0. Pass 0, write speed 4X - SCSI Error 3005H. Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:15:28
Test Finished Failed Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:15:28

Product Version: 5.00.4240.03

[CeeBee]

Is there an exclamation mark next to it in Device Manager?
If so, see post #4 here: http://forums.driverguide.com/showthread.php?t=23761
And never mind firmware updates, usually they do more harm than good...

No exclamation marks whatsoever in Device Manager. All good!

The drive reports "This device is working properly" as does the controller, which also reports "No Conflicts" and "Ultra DMA mode 2".

Any settings in BIOS I have overlooked and/or IRQs?

[ajkula66]

(CD-RW Drive) Read Write Test
Event Type Description Time
Test Started - Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:12:37
Error Message Error writing to block 0. Pass 0, write speed 4X - SCSI Error 3005H. Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:13:47
Error Message Error writing to block 0. Pass 0, write speed 4X - SCSI Error 3005H. Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:15:28
Test Finished Failed Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:15:28

Bad drive right there. You could try cleaning the lens with a q-tip dipped in isopropyl alcohol, but don't expect miracles.

[CeeBee]

Bad drive right there. You could try cleaning the lens with a q-tip dipped in isopropyl alcohol, but don't expect miracles.

The lens being that little blueish looking point/eye looking at me when I open the drive caddy? But, if the read is okay .. the lens must be working, no/yes?

[ajkula66]

The lens being that little blueish looking point/eye looking at me when I open the drive caddy?

Yes

But, if the read is okay .. the lens must be working, no/yes?

Yes and no. These functions are separate, and that's why I said not to expect much of anything from the cleaning procedure.

[CeeBee]

Well, I cleaned the laser "eye" twice, but, no joy. Still no write.

Read works fine, which, for me, is more important. I'm playing movie clips DVDs and music CDs to 'massage' the drive back into action! Thinking of it, this drive has been virtually unused throughout the years .. so maybe it fell 'asleep' and needs to be 'kicked' back into service?! Presumably under-use can be as bad as overuse?! If I get some progress, I'll advise. Thanks for your feedback.

[CeeBee]

Looking for solutions (while my drive was playing music...) I found this link, which, although related to HP-Compac PCs using W7, covered my issue/situation:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/docu ... c=en&lc=en

Whereas Step 1 (try different brands of CD-R disks) is known, I looked for and found some older CD-R disks, which I had used - to burn - with the T43 years ago. Contrary to the newer media which failed (Verbatim 52x, silver coated), these disks have a greenish-blueish coating (also Verbatim 52x).

And, guess what, it worked! I recorded the two older, blue-green coated, CD-R disks successfully at 10x write speed. After that I tried a silver coated CD-R again, but, still no go. So, I gather the drive is a bit sensitive to the type/coating used. But, I should be able to handle that...

PS: just to make it clear, I didn't try the other steps under the above link, just #1. And, before asking for help, I had tried 3 different brands of CD-R disks .. all of which failed on the write/burn.