NEC ND-1300 A DVD+-R/RW Drive - Can't burn Verbatim Data Life Plus (solution inside)

[Sesami]

For some reason my drive won't burn Verbatim Data Life Plus DVD+R even though NEC said that they are compatible. I have tried the original Data Lifes but those do not work either. I get errors in Nero saying the process failed. Is it the discs? If so, what disc companies have good reputations?

Thanks very much,
Sesami

[Barker]

What are you trying to burn? Will it burn a data dvd ok? Try throwing some files into nero and see if that burns correctly.

If you are trying DVD copy (disc to disc), this may be why you are getting the error in nero, you will need to follow one of the guides if you want to back up a dvd.

I have this drive, and have had no problem with any discs so far, including the cheap 80-cent compusa ones (don't know what their lifetime length will be, but they burned correctly.

Hope this helps some.

Regards,
Barker

[Sesami]

What program do you use for burning? I used Nero and RecordNow and both do not work. I am very sure I am operating the software correctly because it burns fine with a Philips DVD+RW. I suppose I could just try other brands..

Thanks for the reply,
Sesami

[ammck55]

Did you check the compatibility of your discs, as suggested in your last thread on this topic? Please finish out an existing thread, you're basically fighting the same problem and haven't "punched the trouble ticket" from your last one.
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59829
I can't help but think your media is at the heart of your problem. dvdrhelp's information is pretty good, have you researched your media dilligently on that site? BTW, I've fixed the incorrect link that killingspree pointed out to us in that thread. :)

[Sesami]

I have checked the compatability lists and have searched for the best disc and have found that Verbatim's Data Life Pluses are the best discs that are compatable with every format (plus and minus R/RW). They failed, so I might look into hacking the firmware.

[hummus19]

what firmware are you using? i got mine this past thursday and it still had 1.05. everything i read before purchasing said that after the 1.07 firmware update the drive was MUCH more stable/versatile with a larger assortment of dvd's. hope this helps.

http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?category=4&manufactor=23

[Sesami]

Browsing the forums on the firmware page, I found posts that said Herrie's hacked version (1.07) fixed many media compatability problems with the ND-1300A drive. I just flashed my drive with his firmware but still no luck. I guess I will just have to experiment with more discs. Although I do find it quite pathetic that the company that made the drive can't even print out a legit compatability list.

Thanks for your help all,
Sesami

[oddyseus]

I hope that the issue hasn't been closed for you, cause I have a suggestion to make.

Use imgtools and make an image of your files. Use decrypter to burn this image. If it fails again u have a media compatibility problem.

[Sesami]

Wow - I got it to work with the Verbatim DataLifePlus discs by just switching to CopyToDVD as my burning software. I just load the program up, it asks me what type of disc I want to create, I choose video DVD, it asks me for the VIDEO_TS.IFO file and that is that. Simple and fast too. Amazing.

Sesami

[hummus19]

where did you get copytodvd? is it shareware/trial or do you buy it? i have the same nec 1300a burner and im having probs with nero, is why i ask.....

[ammck55]

@Sesami->Interesting, were you using one of the older Nero 5.5 versions, or the new 6 Ultra Edition? Either way, it's good to get out from under a problem and be able to move on, isn't it? :)

@hummus19- http://www.copytocd.com/

ammck55

[Sesami]

Accually I was using Nero 6 Ultra becuase whatever I had before didn't support dvd burning. Nero accually appeared to work for a couple seconds, then said recording failed and then accually burned something onto the disc when it said "establishing borders." Kind of strange how it burns something onto the disc after telling me it failed.

Sesami