Yes indeed this burner is a SD 2+ killer, as shown on the side of the box.

I used my ASUS 5224 to read POP SOT (SD 3.15) with DJ and then wrote with the Aopen drive, for a good working copy.

And a CD-R disc blower

Well I have no idea what you mean mate about the blower bit.

But as for writing, this is interesting. I wonder if it's the firmware of the ASUS that prevents the correct write? I'll get PoP today and check it out with my FW Rev 1.0; the AOpen can't read, I had a CD-ROM that refused to read SD2.1x so I gave up on it - a good play drive for Barbie though

where do you get the 1.0 firmware...i cannot find it....iam using 1.1 for the asus 5224a drive

You can download the Asus 5224a original firmware v1.0 here

Thanks to maelstrom.

hey jack have you successfully backedup SD2.9??

and how is that Aopen drive??

and what settings do you use for the reading process...is it max..or do you write slower??

and do you msn messenger for 'real time' conversation

ROFLMAO

For a while, I thought that the Aopen had uncovered a new secret protection scheme in SD 3.15 (sector header errors) and was all ready to announce it to the world!!

It does some weird things when it reads: with DJ it doesn't report all those sector errors like the Litey and ASUS does, and it reads the disc just as fast as the Asus.
With BW again it doesn't report any errors, and reads the whole disc very quickly. The BW image does contain the sector errors and weak sectors, as well as the non-existent sector header errors.

I've got firmware 1.02, there are 2 further iterations available, perhaps one of these will correct the faulty reading?

I meant to say can't read well. About the FW, I don't know. Generall revisions just add to the media catalogue but certainly LITEON used to ensure that SD2 reads were quicker and quicker. The problem I have right now, before I move onto PoP is that my ASUS are taking ~10 minutes to read CoD whereas Superstar takes ~3 mins

wakemonkeypimp

Yes I have copied SD 2.9+

My favourite way is with Discjuggler, it works with my Liteon drives (52327s 48161h LDW-411S) and also with my Asus 5224a.

You can read about how to set up Disc Juggler here

CloneCD 4319 also makes a good copy of SD 2.9 (just remember to use Clonecd tray, and enable hide CDR

Blindwrite 4.5.7.92 works also with the Liteon and Asus drives mentioned above.

If you particularly referring to the Aopen drive, I've successfully used it to write images that have been read by the other drives.
This is most useful for the latest version of Safedisc.

Users be aware

that fw 1.0 for the Asus drive that i downloaded is a .bin file what program do i use to flash my drive??

FP

Try this.

I just used BW 4.5.7.92 to read a copy of COD disc 1

Settings:
Read subs left on (I always do anyway)
Adapt speed on Min 40x Max 40x

Read time 4:49
---------------------------

DiscJuggler (latest) - set up as per your guide

DJ finished reading in 6:17

---------------------------

CloneCD 4319

Hardware error correction

Not reading subs, fast error skip automatic

Read time 6:01



The Asus never gets above 25x read speed.



I suspect that COD is just a crappy pressing.

Have a look on www.rpc1.org
Go to download firmware, Asus, 5224a, and download the flashing utility.

MktFlash works on some drives.

Before you hose your drive:
I would stop at the safer alternative, which is firmware 1.1
It works well for me.

There is a flash program in the Firmware forum

I think I've sorted out some of the read problems with the Aopen 5232

1. I mounted the drive in my computer, and this stopped a lot of vibration (altogether say "dohhhhhhhhh")

2. I've stopped engaging "Turbo read mode" (don't ask).


Now, Ive successfully copied Prince of Persia (3.15) Jedi Academy (2.9) and Call of Duty (3.10) only using the Aopen (i.e. read and write) with BW 4.5.7.92 (autoplay off, enhance weak sectors off), but it still won't read correctly with DiscJuggler.

AOpen drives are known for their bad quality. I read somewhere (can't remember exactly) that AOpen drives are known for making CD-R media explode easily. I even saw pictures of a trashed AOpen drive and the CD-R into pieces, because the media exploded inside the drive.

I think they've learnt their lessons. It cost $60AU (About $40US)

The drive defaults to 40x reading speed, to kick in the turbo read mode (52x) you have to hold down the eject button for about 7 seconds. Quaint. Turbo mode stuffs up reading protected games.

I've copied some unprotected CD's and checked the copies on my Litey 52327S with kprobe, the write quality is pretty good.

To be honest, I posted the scan from the box, for mostly amusement purposes. When I found that it could REALLY copy all versions of SD, this was a lovely bonus. In Australia the Plextor drives are $300AU or more. (About $200US)

I'm happy with the drive, until something more advanced comes along (probably within 3 months anyway).

As always, your mileage may vary.

So the Aopen seems to be a good writer, esp if teamed with a good reader. Is the Liteon 166 or one or the Toshibas considered to be good readers?

Does the Aopen work with Alcohol?

1 Yes, the Liteon 166 is a good enough reader (so are LDW411S, 48161H combo, 165H)

2a. Firstly let me say that Alcohol can make a good image with any good reader (don't forget to read subchannel data) that will work on it's own virtual drives. (hide ATIP, emulate bad sectors needed)

2b. I was unable to burn a copy of SD 3.15 with the Aopen and Alcohol, that would run without either Alcohol installed or without CloneCD hide CDR enabled! Others have had success with other drives, but I was unable to replicate this.

I find it unusual that CloneCD's Hide CDR would work with a copy made by Alcohol!!

Here works well Alcohol 120%+Clonecd tip with my Asus 5224A, liteon 52327s and others

Update:

-ASUS 52x and Liteon 52x both use Mediatek chipset.
-LG GCE852x drives also use Mediatek chipset.

-ASUS and Liteon can both read Twinpeak copies of Securom 4.8x, but LGE can't. Aopen can read these copies OK

-Aopen 52x is using Ricoh chipset.

You should be able to update (?downdate?) the firmware on the ASUS to version 1.0 with MTKFlash, but it doesn't seem to work.

-Lots of users are recommending making copies of SD at slow writing speeds, I find that this won't work for me. My copies seem to be best when made at >32x

Have you been to http://www.gamedude.com.au lately? The Plextor Premium Retail Kit is $165.

$CyBeRwIz$

Thank you very much for this link.

Great prices.

I stand corrected.

A roll of 100 TY CDR's for $69AU aint bad either.

No problem mate.

Is aopen 5232A a sd3.15 killer???
Anyone has tested it???
tnx