well, numorous sources say Teac DV-W58G-A, being in fact sohw-812s, can be flashed to 832s. and i really wish to at least flash it with 812s firmware since i have problems using some regular common dvd+r media (ie traxdata dvd+r 8x). teac has let customers down even more than liteon
couple of questions before i do this brave thing
1. do i get dual layer support? i am not a heavy dl user, but it might come in handy one day
2. how to i do it under linux (just linux machine, no dual boot)? boot floppy+MtkFlash? or should i just rip it out and plug it into windows machine (frankly i dont like this idea )?
3. which firmware? CG5J from http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=107103 sounds good to me?
4. should i for example do stuff like reset learnt media calibration data using EEPROM Utility?

1. Dual layer support comes with the 832s firmware.

2. Linux.. no idea here, someone else might be able to help.. windows has a lot more support when it comes to drive tinkering though, so you'll need extra balls if you do it under a linux-based os.

3. CG5J has the best burns out of most firmware. If you have trouble with it you can always crossflash back to another firmware! My 812s@832s isn't really burning too well under it, but I'm not sure what that is.

4. Try flashing to new firmware first, and if after a few burns you aren't seeing particularly good results, then try resetting the learnt media settings.

Hope this helps :}