External Enclosure /Dvd-RW problems, please help

[dohmai]

I apologize if this thread isn't in the right forum, I wasn't sure where best to place it! Thanks for the help!

Hi, I have been using a rebagged Pioneer A05 DVDR for several months with no problems. Recently I purchased a laptop and wanted to continue using the DVD-R drive.

I purchased a generic brand (Bytecc) external enclosure (model number ME-320U2) to house the drive in. The enclosure is USB 2.0 only (not firewire combo) because my notebook (dell Inspiron 600m) has no firewire port. From my understanding, the USB2.0 Chipset inside the enclosure is Ali M5621 chipset. The enclosure has it's own external power source.

I am running WinXP SP1 and have the newest USB 2 drivers, etc.

When I plug everything in and turn it on the computer recognizes the drive and lists it under Device Manager as Pioneer DVR-105 USB. I can read DVDs fine off the drive too. I have also been able to rip DVDs using the drive and Dvd Decrypter.

The problem is I can't seem to burn anything! I've tried combinations of different media and different programs (InstantCopy/Nero) and nothing works (though they all worked fine when it was internal). I've tried removing the other USB device, switching the jumper on the dvdr, nothing works. I can't burn DVDs or CDs.

I installed Adaptec ASPI 4.71 but it still doesn't work.


As it begins to write the lead-in, the process stops and fails. The blank media has small ring written onto it and is then unusable and unreadable.

Here's the error I get using Instantcopy:

An error occured while writing track 1 at position 780. Extended information: #1Device: Pioneer Dvd-Rw Dvd-105 (E:) NO SENSE: NO ADDTIONAL SENSE INFORMATION
0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 2A 00 00 00 03 0C 00 00 1A 00


I also have a couple logs of Nero failing - if anybody thinks those can be telling let me know and I can send them.


I suspect the M5621 chipset inside the enclosure does not support dvdrs (tho I can't use it as a cdrw either...) .. but I can't get any responses from Bytecc or Ali's support. I've posted on numerous other forums and some people have said that they've gotten it to work fine, others that it works using the usb/firewire combo enclosure, etc.

Does anyone have any advice, suggestions or experience with this drive/enclosure? Should I try another firmware for the dvdr?

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide!

[Emp3r0r]

I have a little experience with using external enclosures and I've found that USB 2.0 sucks when it comes to burning. Firewire is the way to go. I had a combo USB and Firewire enclosure and Firewire worked 100% time and USB2 about 35% of the time. All I can say to help with your problem is try getting the most recent USB2 drivers from the vendor of your USB2 chipset. Also, try updating your OS. Good luck, I know how frustraiting your situation is.

[lilhobo]

u need the lastest drivers of the external enclosure , the windows xp usb2 driver isnt enough...u need the usb-ide driver set up correctly

[dohmai]

i looked on the chipset manuf. webpage to see if they have updated drivers but can't find it..

anyone know where i can find driver updates for the ali m5621 or if there are any?

thanks for the help!