Help: Downgrading A03 firmware from 1.90

[fubarduck]

I originally tried using the search function to find a solution to this problem, and found a few DOS programs which I tried and had no success. I want to downgrade my A03 firmware from 1.90 to 1.65.

I have tried the following:

Using the Windows updater
using flash.exe and DVDxupgrade \f (or whatever)
using dvr103_update firmware.165

All programs appeared to update the drive, but afterwards, the drive was still 1.90.

I am having a similar problem to Commander XJL I believe. Everything I burn works fine EXCEPT DVD-R movies. I have several DVD-R films which I downsampled/backed up a couple of months ago, but now every time I try to burn a copy from the original, I end up with a copy that will play in my PC but not in my standalone. Additionally, many new DVD-R's I am transcoding and burning end up sometimes working, but usually getting a "not good disc" error in my standalone but working fine on my PC.

I don't recall having any problems with the 1.65 firmware, so I will try this.

I am using Optodisc media, which I formerly burned on with 100% success. They still work 100% for PS2/X-Box backups, etc. Only DVD-R movies are a problem, and they're not loading and then skipping or anything, they're either working 100% or 0% on my standalone.

If someone could please give me instructions on downgrading to my desired firmware version, I would greatly appreciate it. Any other comments on what might resolve this issue would be helpful as well.

Thanks for reading, and wish me luck,

fubarduck

[klona]

From the Pioneer Faq, sticky post here :

Can I downgrade firmware?
For DVR-A03: Get the DOS-loader and firmware file here. You must then boot ms-dos or win 98 dos prompt in order to install it.

the key is to boot on a DOS disk, not to do it running me,xp or 2k.

I did not try myself (still on 1.68 free as it works fine), but I fully thrust the pioneer FAQ

[fubarduck]

Thanks for the copy/paste, but this is one of the things I tried already I'm afraid. As you can see above, the program appeared to update my firmware but then remained stuck on 1.90.

If anyone has any further suggestions, please post them!

Thanks,
fubarduck

[alexnoe]

That's not good. It had worked for me for 1.80->1.68 :confused: I'll try it again with 1.90 -> 1.68 (I don't have a 1.65 file)

Did you really use the loader I have linked in the FAQ? The loader is "dvr103.exe", not anything else.

[fubarduck]

Alex Noe, I attempted to use the exact files posted in the Pioneer FAQ. Here's what happened:

1) I booted to native DOS using a boot disk
2) I inserted a diskette with dvr103.exe and R3100101.168
3) I ran the command dvr103 R3100101.168
4) I selected my DVR-103 from the list
5) The firmware file I selected appeared to load
6) The program said "flashing firmware" for a second or less, then returned to the DOS prompt with no other messages
7) My firmware is still 1.90.

So yes, I did use the exact files and instructions on the FAQ, I didn't want to make a thread about it until I was absolutely sure it didn't work, and it doesn't O_o

Please let me know what you think the problem could be!

Thanks,
fubarduck

[alexnoe]

The same happenes here! Seems that they indeed prohibit the loader from working if 1.90 is installed! But still, I don't get a windows loader work either. The drive doesn't enter flash mode.
Maybe they have changed the flash commands in the firmware, so that older loaders cannot be used any longer.

Will update the FAQ :angry:

You can try to edit the 1.68 firmware file, so that its name is 1.91 then (and use the normal windows uploader) :sly: but without any warranty.

[fubarduck]

How terribly disappointing. I have a DVR-A03 now that used to be able to burn DVD movies to play on a standalone, but not anymore. I may just wait and shell out for that new Sony drive.

Alex Noe, what exactly would I have to do to change the name of the firmware? Would I have to do internal editing? If so, I am clueless in that department. If all it consists of is changing the file name though, I will probably give it a try. It's way better than permenantly losing 50% of usage out of my drive.

Thanks,
fubarduck

[alexnoe]

I did it and it worked (1.90 -> 1.68). I've used another DOS loader I've grabbed somewhen: "upgdvd.exe".

Get the 2nd loader here (http://www.alexander-noe.de/Firmwares/Pioneer/index.html) and rename your r3100101.165 file to r3100101.191.
Then boot to DOS and execute upgdvd. Don't forget the included refinq.dat.

I'll now check if the old loader works again. If it does => Pioneer intentionally inhibits its usage. It it doesn't => :confused:

EDIT confirmed. I could re-upgrade from 1.68 to 1.90 using that original dos loader. So Pioneer indeed prohibits its usage if 1.90 is installed.
@Pioneer: I don't like such crap :angry: really not!

[fubarduck]

Thanks a million AlexNoe, the new software and the renaming trickery solved the problem! Now, I just have to fix my DVD movie burning problem. . .

fubarduck

[alexnoe]

OK, FAQ is updated...I hate Pioneer for such actions. I really don't see any sense in it!

[klona]

Clearly, i do not understand either why pioneer do not let us use the firmware we want.

But, my reason to answer is to thanks you alexnoe to participate so efficiently to this forum.
I am really impressed that you put on your own burner the firmware 1.9, only to find the answer of downgrading and help someone else.
And succeed !

Great Job.

[thxtof]

@klona,

By reading this forum you can see that too many people make coaster after coaster.
There are of course several reason for that:

Bad Media,
Bad Hardware,
Bad Software...

But if Pioneer with the new firmeware has removed from the media table all the crappy one that 90% did not work well, and has improved the burning of the branded one (TDKG02), I think it's reasonable to move forward and keep the latest firmware.

Many people reported improvements after upgrading to the latest version.

May be there were major issues with the previous firmware that prevented some media to play correctly (TDKG02??).

According to Pioneer:

New firmware features:
Revision handling for writing high speed media
DVD-R/RW Writability Improvement
DVD-R/RW Playability Improvement
CD-R/RW Writability Improvement
CD-DA Playability Improvement


What's the point to revert to the old firmware if you just want to burn Riteg G03 in x2 (and 50% make a coaster) or burn other cheap media that most of the time will not play back correctly
:confused:

So personnaly I would stick with the latest update.

But I agree that Pioneer should give an official explanation :sly:

[atreides93]

Originally posted by fubarduck
How terribly disappointing. I have a DVR-A03 now that used to be able to burn DVD movies to play on a standalone, but not anymore. I may just wait and shell out for that new Sony drive.

Thanks,
fubarduck

hi fubarduck,

if you're having the same problems commander had because of his Asus motherboard, then wouldn't it be more economical to buy another motherboard instead of a new dvd burner?
i'm using a cheap shuttle AK11 motherboard with the KT133A chipset and my Pioneer A03 with 1.90 firmware runs flawlessly on it. I burn quite a few DVD-R's and DVD-RW's
The motherboard only cost me $65

[alexnoe]

Pioneer are not the only ones who prevent installing older firmwares.

For liteon drives, you must use a DOS flasher which directly writes some stuff into the registers of its chipset (pflash for older ones, mtkflash for newer ones).


I don't like it if something, especially a drive which I have on my own, behaves differently from what I expect it to do...

@thxof:
That changelog is just a long version of what liteon says for every new firmware: "match more media" :)

The only really good changelogs I've seen for cd writer firmwares are from plextor.

@atreides:
There has been someone here with KT133A who could not even burn successfully at 1x speed on Verbatim media with DMA switched off...

[fubarduck]

Well, the thing is, I DON'T have the Asus motherboard like Commander, I just have the exact same problem. I have an MSI KT333 I believe.

I am using Optodiscs as my only media. Could it be a bad media problem, for my standalone to suddenly not accept most of them? If so, the Optodiscs must have baited & switched, because I formerly had 100% success with burning DVDs from them.

On my last batch of Optodiscs, I was having problems burning DVDs that were IFOEdited. Directory structure and file structure was perfect, but only about 2 in 5 burned would work in my standalone (of the exact same folder). However, discs burned after using TMPGEnc/Maestro were burned with 100% success. On the batch before that, IFOEdited discs also worked nearly 100% from memory.

I am simply trying to copy a few DVDs that I TMPGEnc'd/IFOEdited a few months ago, and suddenly it doesn't work 100% like it used to, now it is more like 0%. My standalone just won't take the new copies. I am going to try to burn a DVD I had prepared by TMPGEnc/Maestro, to see if that will work. If I simply can't get it to work, I will probably EBay off my A03 and try out the new Sony model when it comes out in a week or so here.

I'll update you guys and maybe we can figure out what's going on.

fubarduck

[alexnoe]

Optodisc can be made by at least 2 different manufacturers, but my optodisc was crap...Did the problems start when you took discs from another batch? In this case: use better media :)

[thxtof]

Yeah I agree with Alex.

Before throwing away your A03 try the Ritek G03 DVD-R, no-one ever complained about it (with old and new firmware) -- except me sometimes :p .

It burns great in 99% of the case and has an impressive compatibility with players... all that for 1$ piece !

[fubarduck]

Hey THXTOF, thanks a lot for the advice! If I am still having problems I will try out those Ritek's.

fubarduck

update: The TMPGEnc+Maestro disc I tried burning didn't work either, so this is definitely a media problem. Where is the best place to buy those Ritek G03's, THXTOF?

Thanks!

[thxtof]

Are you in US ?

If yes I buy mine with supermediastore.com ($1.02 for 100)
They also have a 25 pack for 28$, you may want to try that just to make sure ;) Meritline.com and cdrdvdrmedia.com also carry them (same company with different price :confused: )

I recently ordered 25 more at rima.com because their shipping is cheaper.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress !

[klona]

@thxtof.

Yep, I did not say firmware 1.65 or 1.8 is better than 1.9 or something like that, but just, I would highly prefer that pioneer allows you to use the firmware you want, and not try to move you on the latest with no downgrade possibility.

On my side, firm 1.68 works great so I see no reason, at present, to upgrade, and I feel happy you like the 1.90.

[fubarduck]

I am indeed in the US. I ordered a 25 pack from Rima.com via UPS ground, once I get them next week I will test them out and update you guys. At least these Optodiscs are still good for PS2 and X-Box! Otherwise I'd be stuck with $90 of useless media O_o

Thanks,
fubarduck

[alexnoe]

With cdrecord-prodvd, i finally found out the manufacturer of my opto-crap-discs: Vivastar!