Sony DRU-500A firmware and recall questions

[markrb]

Is there any reason NOT to upgrade to the latest firmware of the Sony DRU-500A?

I have been hearing rumors of a recall of this drive? Is it true? What problems were fixed? How can I tell if I have a "fixed" drive?
I have also heard that the problem was fixed by the firmware upgrade?
I am just a bit confused over what the real deal is here as I just got a drive 3 weeks ago.

Thanks,
Mark

[CL]

I also bought one about 3 weeks ago. It had firmware 1.0d. I upgraded to 1.0f but I didn't notice any difference. (Haven't used it too much yet although) I have a Memorex DVD-RW that the drive doesn't want to write to (before and after upgrade) Pioneer/Imation DVD-RW & Sony DVD+RW works ok.

The only reason I upgraded was to get that memorex working. Otherwise my motto for firmware upgrades is -> Don't do it unless there's something not working ok. There's always a risk you destroy the drive. Have already read about people that detroyed their drive by not exactly following the upgrade instructions. (You have to disable DMA when upgrading, etc...)

Just my 2 cents:D

CL

[Okar Gona]

My motto is always: "If something works don't fix it".

But personally I can recommend everyone to upgrade to firmware 1.0f. Apart from the so claimed 4X write speed of DVD+R media (where can you buy it?), it also has a niced side effect. It burns "That's write" DVD-R discs (1X speed) at 2X speed with no coasters!

[alexnoe]

"That's write" should be Taiyo Yuden, right? Can you post the manufacturer ID?

[jacobjef]

Interesting about the possible recall on the Sony drive. I recently acquired one for my laptop, and after way too many problems I returned it since I already have a burner for my main workstation. I hadn't been able to find anything along the lines of the firmware update at the time, so figured it was safer to return it while I still could. When I had it though, wow was it unstable. I acutally got the dreaded "blue screen of death" error operating under Win XP, about 4-5 different times. When it did burn, it took forever, too. I'll wait and see...

[Okar Gona]

Hi Alexnoe,

Does DVDdecrypter shows the manufacturer ID? If please tell which program does?

[alexnoe]

The latest version does.

[Okar Gona]

"That's Write"disc information from DVD Decrypter 3.1.4.0:

Device Information:
Current Profile: DVD-R

Disc Information:
Status: Empty
Erasable: No
Free Sectors: 2.298.496
Free Space: 4.707.319.808 bytes
Free Time: 510:48:46 (MM:SS:FF)

Pre-recorded Information:
Manufacturer ID: Lead Data

Physical Format Information:
Book Type: DVD-R
Part Version: 5
Disc Size: 120mm
Maximum Read Rate: Not Specified
Number of Layers: 1
Track Path: Parallel Track Path (PTP)
Linear Density: 0.267 um/bit
Track Density: 0.74 um/track