ULEAD DVD WS2 offers only MAX burning speed, why?

[Chris Barnard]

HI all,

Just working with DVD WS2 for 1st time.

The only option of burning speed is 'MAX', which I obviously don't want to use. My drive is a Pioneer DVR-108. Does DVD WS 2 need an update or does the drive?

Does anyone know how to rectify this?

Cheers!

Chris

[editpoint]

Just checked mine and I have a dropdown menu for drive speed with max as the default

[Chris Barnard]

Just checked mine and I have a dropdown menu for drive speed with max as the default

That's exactly what I used to have with DVD WS SE on the same machine. When using DVD WS 2 I don't get any options other than the default 'max'. Using same blank media as always...

I'm stumped...

[STORMDAVE]

What drive? Maybe a firmware update will fix it? Unless it's upto date already...

[Chris Barnard]

What drive? Maybe a firmware update will fix it? Unless it's upto date already...

Cheers dave,

I'll give it a shot.

[Chris Barnard]

What drive? Maybe a firmware update will fix it? Unless it's upto date already...

I have not updated the firmware for this drive. Isn't it a rather dangerious thing to do? Or is that because some people update it using the wrong info?

[GrassValley_BH]

Updating firmware is dangerous if...

• You're not careful and you try to load the wrong firmware.
  Often times the firmware loader will happily let you "brick" your drive.
  Always make sure you're using the proper firmware version for the make/model/revision of your drive.
• You're not patient.
  Don't do other things while you're running a firmware update.
  Don't panic if things seem to get "stuck" - just wait it out. Many firmware updaters will seem to hang for a few minutes, but things will come back.
• Your system is unstable.
  Crashing during a firmware update = bad news.
• You try to load hacked or modified firmware on your drive.
  If it's not official, the manufacturer won't be able to help you if things go bad.
• You have a complicated setup.
  Try to minimize your configuration as much as possible when applyin gfirmware updates - the last thing you want to do is accidentally apply it to the wrong device.
  Better yet, put the drive on a "test" machine, update the firmware there, then bring it back.

Firmware updates aren't as painful as they used to be. Most have reliable Windows updaters, though I still prefer to use DOS updaters when possible, as there's much less load on the system in DOS.

[STORMDAVE]

I've updated my drive bioses for years now, right through Windows...manufacturers such as Pioneer have Windows based firmware updaters, all you do is run then (by following instructions first) and not doing anything while it's updating, as Brandon stated.

It's harmless. Even if something happens (5% chance) you can just buy a new burner for like $25 :)

[Chris Barnard]

THanks Brandon and Dave,

Yeah I just read a whole load about it and it seems that most problems stem from using the wrong firmware. Mind you, that sounds like the sort of thing that I'd do!!

My firmware is 1.00 which must be the factory settings. I think my drive is an OEM, and advice on websites seems to indicate that this might be a trickier thing to update. A lot of the firmware updates seem thrid party and often unnecessary.

My Other mcahine which has a Pioneer 105 1.00 drive on it runs DVD WS without the burning issue. Odd thing. At the moment I am just copying finished films across the network to that machine. But it's a bit of a hassle!

Does my problem sound like it needs a firmware update?

Thanks again

[STORMDAVE]

What's your exact drive's model #? It doesn't really matter if it's OEM. My Pioneer 109 is an OEM as well, and I have the latest firmware. Usually older drives are much more compatible than newer ones and yours might have an older firmware.

There is no harm in updating your firmware, this is why I just suggested that you try this. It might fix it, I don't know. If it doesn't, we need to look at other things. Other than that, most firmware updates also add new media (and sometimes support faster burning speeds) to the drive's capability.

[Chris Barnard]

Other than that, most firmware updates also add new media (and sometimes support faster burning speeds) to the drive's capability.

Nero Infotool recognizes it as a Pioneer DVR-108, as I well know it is.

I just went to Pioneer ws, and got the exact link for the latest firmware, right here:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/support/details/0,,2076_310070215_141666603,00.html

There is no other similar model or sub-model.

However, as the readme for the firmware updater says, if the updater returns a message saying that 'target file not found', then the file is not the correct one for the model.

But there is not any other file....

Hmmmmmm....

Bash my head against a firmware wall....

Maybe just buy another burner....

Wrote to ULEAD yesterday so they should get back to me in a few days...

When computers become sentient they can at least TELL US what's wrong with them. My dog is better at communicating.

[GrassValley_BH]

However, as the readme for the firmware updater says, if the updater returns a message saying that 'target file not found', then the file is not the correct one for the model.

I think at this point they expect you to go download the right firmware updater. Sounds like a sanity-check, which is a good thing.

[STORMDAVE]

Usually firmware updaters tell you if the firmware is wrong for your drive.

After doing a little research on your drive, it seems that there are a bunch of versions out there...one for a VAIO etc??

http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?category=4&manufactor=25

Check that thread out, and find the 108...the one that SEEMS to be the one for you is the 108k, and I know it's tempting, but you're better off waiting for a response from Ulead :)

[Chris Barnard]

Cheers Dave,

I looked at that page earlier. Too risky it seemed. I figured on the Pioneer WS it would be the correct one since there were no other similar models. I think you are right - waiting for a response from ULEAD is probably the most sensible option!!

Wasted most of my day trying to fix this. Only option now is to drink beer.