Verbatim DL+R let me down

[Janset]

Hi guys.

I have had a number of issues concerning dual +R disks not being recognized.

I have been told that the best dual layer to get to ensure trouble free recordings without a doubt was Verbatim (2.4) DVD+R DL. This recommendation was unanimous.

I have found this to be true, however, (and there is always a however) the other day I found that 2 of these disks were not recognized, (no disk has been inserted in drive message).

It was not until I inserted the 3rd DVD that it was recognized. The first 2 did not appear to have been recorded on in any way...or so they appear.

Forgot to mention my burner is also a HL-DT-DVDRAM GSA-4120B (LG burner)

So, any suggestion? :confused
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[setarip_old]

Hi!

It may have just been a bit if bad luck or were they manufactured in India (Such discs were problematic when they first showed up on the market)?

[Janset]

Hi setarip_old.

I bought these as a boxed set of 10 and after looking closely I found in iddy biddy writing that they were made in Singapore.

But that does mean that I will stray from the fold as far as dual layer DVD's go. I have still had the best results for this brand.

Who knows, maybe my DVD burning is playing up?

Regards

[dialysis1]

Have you tried cleaning the laser lens and do you have the latest firmware for this old drive?


2005 firmware
http://www.firmwarehq.com/LG/GSA-4120B/files.html

[Janset]

Hi there dialysis1.

O.K., how do I know if I have the latest firmware?

I did do an update some while back but I do not know what the version was. By the way thanks for the link.

Now how do I check the firmware version again?

Next question, how do I clean the lens as I have never done this?

Don't know too much do I? :o

Regards

An update. I ran one of my system analyser programs and the code A117 has appeared a number of times next to the LG burner, so it looks like I may have the latest version firmware.

[Ghitulescu]

The LG is quite old, maybe it's dying ;)

[setarip_old]

@JansetI bought these as a boxed set of 10 and after looking closely I found in iddy biddy writing that they were made in Singapore.That's a GOOD thing!


.how do I clean the lens as I have never done this?Use a DVD/CD cleaning disc. Maxell makes one that sells for about $10US.

[gizzin]

I'd buy a new dvd burner, perhaps a pioneer.

[Janset]

Thanks guys.

I think I will ask around maybe I can borrow a DVD/CD cleaner from someone.

I do not think the the LG is on it's last legs as it really has not done all that amount of work. It is used in a home environment. Beside, the computer is now about 9 years old with the LG being about 7 1/2 years old. I would rather not spend money on it if I can get away with it.

My Pioneer CD/DVD ROM player that came with the computer is older than that and it still works faultlessly.

I do not have any problems with the single layer bundle packs, mostly LG and HP brands. Even the TDK works O.K. here.

Regards

[prOnorama]

I do not think the the LG is on it's last legs as it really has not done all that amount of work. It is used in a home environment. Beside, the computer is now about 9 years old with the LG being about 7 1/2 years old. I would rather not spend money on it if I can get away with it.


7.5 years is really old in computer terms. I have a DVD burner from 2004 in my old computer and it could not handle new (well new in 2007 or so) Verbatim 8x speed DL discs (and no new firmware updates), it worked fine with 2.4/4x speed Verbatim DL discs.

I hardly burn DVD-R's anymore (sometimes -RW's or a CD now and then), but if I would have to depend on it I would just get a new burner, they only costs like $ 25.

[Janset]

Hi there.

Thanks for your input. Yes, I only ever burn DL disks with the 2.4 recommended speed and even 2 x speed sometimes, as the mood takes me.

You say $25, must be US$. Here in Oz it's more like $100. But as I said, I will try for a laser clean up first. :D

Regards

[Ghitulescu]

Thanks guys.

I think I will ask around maybe I can borrow a DVD/CD cleaner from someone.

I do not think the the LG is on it's last legs as it really has not done all that amount of work. It is used in a home environment. Beside, the computer is now about 9 years old with the LG being about 7 1/2 years old. I would rather not spend money on it if I can get away with it.

My Pioneer CD/DVD ROM player that came with the computer is older than that and it still works faultlessly.

I do not have any problems with the single layer bundle packs, mostly LG and HP brands. Even the TDK works O.K. here.

Regards

A DVD player laser outputs (and heats ;)) less power than the laser of a recorder. For some drives the laser is always ON, irrespective of their use. One should also not forget the build quality (components). This is why my burners are external, I'll switch them on only on demand.

It's a lesson I've learned when a CD-Writer cost 500$ or more and had a writing life of 1000 hours (less than 500 CDRs at the time).

PS: Neither LG nor HP manufacture optical media, just relabel them.

[Janset]

Hi there.

Thanks for that info. I have found a friend with a CD/DVD Pro cleaning disk and I will attack my drives this week end.

Interesting about you media labeling. I think I have a program on one of my drives, could even be within Nero it's self, that will identify who the media maker is. When found, i will check it out.

Regards

[Ghitulescu]

Interesting about you media labeling. I think I have a program on one of my drives, could even be within Nero it's self, that will identify who the media maker is. When found, i will check it out.
Regards

ImgBurn ;) DVDInfo etc.

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=146278

[Janset]

Hi there.

I already have ImgBurn thanks.

I also found a great little 'freebie' called "VSO Inspector".

Not only does it give you info about the burner and disk, you can even scan and analyze the disk for bad sectors.

It also has the capability to search for firmware updates for your burner. Unfortunately it did me no good as the last F/W update for mine was A117 which I have installed.

Regards

[Ghitulescu]

Hi there.

I already have ImgBurn thanks.

I also found a great little 'freebie' called "VSO Inspector".

Not only does it give you info about the burner and disk, you can even scan and analyze the disk for bad sectors.

It also has the capability to search for firmware updates for your burner. Unfortunately it did me no good as the last F/W update for mine was A117 which I have installed.

Regards

Nero CD/DVD speed does the same and it's free too. The only thing I think VSO has over nero is that VSO can start from the end of the DVD where the errors are more likely to occur.

I don't use personally neither of them I stick with plextools and pxscan.

I'm still of the opinion that your LG is "gone". Don't dump it, it's one of the best DVD/R readers that still exist. If it still works.

[Janset]

Hi there.

Thanks for your input.

I managed to borrow a lens cleaner and I ran it through the LG burner and the Pioneer ROM drive. We will see what happens now.

I don't think that I should condemn the poor old LG on the failure of 2 disks. I will see how I go for a while now that it has been cleaned.

If I get repeated failures on the Verbatim dual layer disks then I will have to concede. :thanks:

Regards

[setarip_old]

Please do let us know if my suggestion of using a DVD/CD lens cleaning disc works for you...

[Janset]

Hi there setarip_old

Yes I will but it may take a while as I do not do all that amount of disk playing/burning on my 'puter, let alone dual layer disks.

Regards.