i got this drive yesterday... today it does not see or read any dvds... plus no cdrw...

also i burned 10 dvd-r and all off them has read errors...
i dont really care about em cuz i used cheap media...

but im completly mad about dvd problem...

even orginal dvd movies fail... it says theres no cd in drive...
so its gone blind in terms of dvd!!!

is there any suggestions?
or this dirve is a crap and got only two days life?

im having the same problm with the same drive i bought mine from dabs.com yesterday so it looks like ill be reurning it

I bought this drive a couple of weeks ago and had some similar problems.
After one day, the drive was not able to recognize any DVD-Media (CD worked fine) so I returned the drive and got a new one.
But with this drive I was not able to burn DVD-R(W) which could afterwards be read again. No matter if I used cheap media (Optodisck001) or for example Fuji (Tayio Yuden) or Verbatim (MCC)
If I were you, I would try to get my money back. I'm happy that I could return my drive and get back the 169 €.

I'm having the same problem. I bought a Micro Advantage SuperDrive (BTC 1004IM) at OfficeMAX. I've had nothing but problems getting it to work. It came with Roxio 6. I installed Nero also. The firmware version was 0037 when purchased. Whenever I accessed the drive, my PC HDD drive light would go on solid and stay on.

I upgraded to firmware 0039. Drive stability didn't seem to increase. I spoke with a tech support person that suggested that Nero and Roxio drivers and DLLs interfere with each other, and to uninstall both, and install the package of choice (Nero in my case). I was also told that a new firmware update (0040) supporting more media was due out soon. I got that and installed the new firmware.

I was able to burn several DVDs on HP DVD+R and Imation DVD+RW (and erase them) with Nero 6 and DVD Architect 1.0(d). I could play DVDs (Avia Guide to Home Theater) with PowerDVD XP 4.

Last night all of that changed (for some unknown reason). I did not install any new software from this configuration. I was trying to render and burn some video with DVD Architect. I came back and the screen said successful on the DVD+RW media. The disk was blank. At this point, I couldn't get the DVD writer to recognize any inserted DVD media, but it recognizes and accesses CD-R and CDs just fine. XP just keeps saying the drive is empty. The Nero Info tool also insists that the drive is empty when any DVD media is installed.

I tried updating PowerDVD to the lastest buid, re-installing DirectX 9.0b, unistalling the drive from XP hardware manager, re-flashing the firmware to 0040, downgrading the firmware to 0039, resetting the BIOS for my IDE devices, unistalling InCD, disabling AutoPlay in XP, ad nauseum. I have the latest Intel drivers for my 850 chipset, and the latest application accelerator (for DMA) installed.

My *guess* at this point is there's two lasers in these drives, one for CD reading/writing and one for DVDs. The DVD one appears to be dead. This is one of the things that would make sense to cause this failure.

Here is my configuration:

Nero InfoTool 2.04

Drive Information
-----------------
Drive : CREATIVE CD5233E
Type : CD-ROM Drive
Firmware Version : 1.00
Buffer Size : 128 KB
Date : ?
Serial Number : ?
Drive Letter : R:\
Location : 0:1
Mechanism : Tray
Read Speed : 52 X
Write Speed : n/a

Read CD Text : No
Return C2 Pointers : Yes
Read CD-R : Yes
Read CD-RW : Yes
Read DVD-ROM : No
Read DVD-RAM : No
Read DVD-R : No
Read DVD-RW : No
Read DVD+R : No
Read DVD+RW : No
Read Digital Audio : Yes
Read CD+G : No
Read VideoCD : Yes

Write CD-R : No
Write CD-RW : No
Write DVD-R : No
Write DVD-RW : No
Write DVD+R : No
Write DVD+RW : No
Write DVD-RAM : No
Buffer Underrun Protection : No
Mount Rainier : No
Modes : n/a


Disc Information (R:\)
-------------------
Type : - no disc inserted -


Drive Information
-----------------
Drive : DVDRW IDE1004
Type : DVD-R/RW Combo Drive
Firmware Version : 0039
Buffer Size : 2 MB
Date : ?
Serial Number : AD76FD5E
Drive Letter : F:\
Location : 1:1
Mechanism : Tray
Read Speed : 40, 32, 28, 24, 20, 16, 8, 4 X
Write Speed : 40, 32, 24, 16, 10, 4 X

Read CD Text : Yes
Return C2 Pointers : Yes
Read CD-R : Yes
Read CD-RW : Yes
Read DVD-ROM : Yes
Read DVD-RAM : No
Read DVD-R : Yes
Read DVD-RW : Yes
Read DVD+R : Yes
Read DVD+RW : Yes
Read Digital Audio : Yes
Read CD+G : No
Read VideoCD : Yes

Write CD-R : Yes
Write CD-RW : Yes
Write DVD-R : Yes
Write DVD-RW : Yes
Write DVD+R : Yes
Write DVD+RW : Yes
Write DVD-RAM : No
Buffer Underrun Protection : Yes
Mount Rainier : No
Modes : Packet, TAO, DAO, SAO, RAW SAO, RAW SAO 16, RAW SAO 96, RAW DAO 16, RAW DAO 96

Region Protection Control : RPC II
Region : 1
Changes User : 4
Changes Vendor : 4

Disc Information (F:\)
-------------------
Type : - no disc inserted -


Interface Information
---------------------
Adapter 1
---------
Description : Primary IDE Channel

Driver
Description
Company
Version
Description

Attached Devices
Description : Master: Maxtor 6Y120L0ç
Type : Disk Drive
DMA : On
Description : Slave: CREATIVE CD5233Eðˆúw`8õwÿÿÿÿã9ùwþÝw;Ýw˜ç

Type : CD-Rom Drive
DMA : Off
Autorun : Off

Adapter 2
---------
Description : Secondary IDE Channel

Driver
Description
Company
Version
Description

Attached Devices
Description : Slave: DVDRW IDE100433Eðˆúw`8õwÿÿÿÿã9ùwþÝw;Ýw˜ç

Type : CD-Rom Drive
DMA : Off
Autorun : Off


Software Information
--------------------
Operating System : Windows XP Professional (5.01.2600 Service Pack 1)
ASPI : Win32 Nero Aspi Library 2.0.1.59 Ahead Software AG

Description : Nero Burning ROM
Version : 6, 0, 0, 19
Company : Ahead Software AG
Version Check : Ok

Description : NeroVision Express
Version : 2,0,1,9
Company : Ahead Software AG

Description : PowerDVD
Version : 4.00.2417
Company : CyberLink Corp.


Hardware Information
--------------------
CPU : Intel Pentium 4 Processor 1609 MHz
Bus Speed : 115 MHz
Motherboard : ASUSTeK <<P4T>>
System : System System Name
BIOS : Award ASUS P4T ACPI BIOS Revision 1007
Memory : 512 MB
Sound : Creative Sound Blaster PCI
Video : ?

Driver Information
------------------
Driver : Abiosdsk
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : abp480n5
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : ACPI
Description : ACPI Driver for NT
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : ACPIEC
Description : ACPI Embedded Controller Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : adpu160m
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : aec
Description : Microsoft Acoustic Echo Canceller
Version : 5.1.2601.1095 built by: xpsp1
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Aha154x
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : aic78u2
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : aic78xx
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : AliIde
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : amsint
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : Arp1394
Description : IP/1394 Arp Client
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : asc
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : asc3350p
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : asc3550
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : aslm75
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : Aspi32
Description : ASPI for WIN32 Kernel Driver
Version : 4.71 (0001)
Company : Adaptec

Driver : AsyncMac
Description : MS Remote Access serial network driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : atapi
Description : IDE/ATAPI Port Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Atdisk
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : ati2mtag
Description : ATI Radeon Miniport Driver
Version : 6.14.10.6378
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.

Driver : atimtag
Description : ATI RADEON Miniport Driver
Version : 5.13.01.3120 (ReleasedBinaries.010715-1631)
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.

Driver : atinrvxx
Description : ATI WDM Rage Theater MiniDriver RT2
Version : 6.14.10.6217
Company : ATI Technologies Inc.

Driver : ATIVRVXX
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : Atmarpc
Description : IP/ATM Arp Client
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : audstub
Description : AudStub Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Avg7Core
Description : AVG Scanning Engine
Version : 7.0.0.192
Company : GRISOFT, s.r.o.

Driver : Avg7RsW
Description : Avg7Wrap - AVG Resident Shield Unload Helper
Version : 7.0.0.121
Company : GRISOFT, s.r.o.

Driver : Avg7RsXP
Description : AVG Resident Anti-Virus Shield
Version : 7.0.0.192
Company : GRISOFT, s.r.o.

Driver : Bridge
Description : MAC Bridge Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : BridgeMP
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : cbidf2k
Description : CardBus/PCMCIA IDE Miniport Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : CCDECODE
Description : WDM Closed Caption VBI Codec
Version : 5.3.0000000.900 built by: DIRECTX
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : cd20xrnt
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : Cdaudio
Description : CD-ROM Audio Filter Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Cdfs
Description : CD-ROM File System Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Cdrom
Description : SCSI CD-ROM Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Changer
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : CmdIde
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : Cpqarray
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : CVirtA
Description : Cisco Systems VPN Adapter
Version : 4.0.0.106
Company : Cisco Systems, Inc.

Driver : CVPNDRVA
Description : Cisco Systems VPN Client IPSec Driver
Version : 4.0.2 (A)
Company : Cisco Systems, Inc.

Driver : dac960nt
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : Disk
Description : PnP Disk Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : dmboot
Description : NT Disk Manager Startup Driver
Version : 2600.0.503.0
Company : Microsoft Corp., Veritas Software

Driver : dmio
Description : NT Disk Manager I/O Driver
Version : 2600.0.503.0
Company : Microsoft Corp., Veritas Software

Driver : dmload
Description : NT Disk Manager Startup Driver
Version : 2600.0.503.0
Company : Microsoft Corp., Veritas Software.

Driver : DMusic
Description : Microsoft Kernel DLS Synthesizer
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : DNE
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : dpti2o
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : drmkaud
Description : Microsoft Kernel DRM Audio Descrambler Filter
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : EPUSBSTOR
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : es1371
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : Fastfat
Description : Fast FAT File System Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Fdc
Description : Floppy Disk Controller Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Flpydisk
Description : Floppy Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Ftdisk
Description : FT Disk Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : gameenum
Description : Game Port Enumerator
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : GhPciScan
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : Gpc
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : hidusb
Description : USB Miniport Driver for Input Devices
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : hpn
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : hpt3xx
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : i2omgmt
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : i2omp
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : i8042prt
Description : i8042 Port Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : IdeBusDr
Description : Intel Application Accelerator Driver
Version : 2.3.0.2160, 10/01/2002
Company : Intel Corporation

Driver : IdeChnDr
Description : Intel Application Accelerator Driver
Version : 2.3.0.2160, 10/01/2002
Company : Intel Corporation

Driver : Imapi
Description : IMAPI Kernel Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : ini910u
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : IntelIde
Description : Intel PCI IDE Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Ip6Fw
Description : IPv6 Internet Connection Firewall
Version : 5.1.2600.1240 (xpsp2.030618-0119)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : IpFilterDriver
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : IpInIp
Description : IP in IP Encapsulation Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : IpNat
Description : IP Network Address Translator
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : IPSec
Description : IPSec Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : IRENUM
Description : Infra-Red Bus Enumerator
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : isapnp
Description : PNP ISA Bus Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : kmixer
Description : Kernel Mode Audio Mixer
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : lbrtfdc
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : LStone
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : MemAlloc
Description : MemAlloc - Memory locking Driver.
Version : 1.2.30
Company : Pinnacle Systems GmbH

Driver : Modem
Description : Modem Device Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : mraid35x
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : MRxDAV
Description : Windows NT WebDav Minirdr
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : MSKSSRV
Description : MS KS Server
Version : 5.3.0000000.900 built by: DIRECTX
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : MSPCLOCK
Description : MS Proxy Clock
Version : 5.3.0000000.900 built by: DIRECTX
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : MSPQM
Description : MS Proxy Quality Manager
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : MSTEE
Description : WDM Tee/Communication Transform Filter
Version : 5.3.0000000.900 built by: DIRECTX
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : MTK
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : MVDCODEC
Description : n/a
Version : n/a
Company : n/a

Driver : NABTSFEC
Description : WDM NABTS/FEC VBI Codec
Version : 5.3.0000000.900 built by: DIRECTX
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : NdisIP
Description : Microsoft IP Driver
Version : 5.3.0000000.900 built by: DIRECTX
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : NdisTapi
Description : NDIS 3.0 connection wrapper driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Ndisuio
Description : NDIS User mode I/O Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : NdisWan
Description : MS PPP Framing Driver (Strong Encryption)
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : NIC1394
Description : IEEE1394 Ndis Miniport and Call Manager
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Npfs
Description : NPFS Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : Ntfs
Description : NT File System Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver : NwlnkFlt
Description : NWLINK2 Traffic Filter Driver
Version : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Company : Microsoft Corporation

Driver :

Version : 7.0.2, 5, 0, 200

Driver : msvcirt.dll
Version : 7.0.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)

Driver : mfc42.dll
Version : 6.00.8665.0

Driver : msvcp60.dll
Version : 6.00.8972.0

Driver : msvcp70.dll
Version : 7.00.9466.0

Driver : msvcr70.dll
Version : 7.00.9466.0

Driver : ole32.dll
Version : 5.1.2600.1263 (xpsp2.030819-2129)

Driver : olepro32.dll
Version : 5.0.5014

Driver : oledlg.dll
Version : 1.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)

Driver : advapi32.dll
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)

Driver : comc
Version : 5.82 (xpsp1.020828-1920)

Driver : setupapi.dll
Version : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)

Lower Filters
-------------
Driver : PFC
Description : Padus(R) ASPI Shell
Version : 2, 5, 0, 200
Company : Padus, Inc.

Upper Filters
-------------
Video Codecs
------------
Cinepak Codec by Radius : 1.10.0.6
Studio MP10 Decompressor : 1.00
Intel Indeo(R) Video R3.2
Intel Indeo(R) Video R3.2
Intel Indeo® Video 4.5 : 4.51.16.03
Intel IYUV codec : 5.1.2600.0 (XPClient.010817-1148)
Microsoft RLE : 5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Microsoft Video 1 : 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)
Microsoft YUV : 5.3.0000000.900 built by: DIRECTX
Intel Indeo® Video Raw R1.2
Microsoft YUV : 5.3.0000000.900 built by: DIRECTX
Microsoft H.263 Video Codec : 4.4.3400
Microsoft H.261 Video Codec : 4.4.3400
Indeo® video 5.10 : R.5.10.15.2.55
ATI YUV12 Format Codec
ATI YUV12 Format Codec
PCLEPIM1 32-bit Compressor : 2.00

Audio Codecs
------------
Microsoft IMA ADPCM CODEC : 4.00.0.0
Microsoft ADPCM CODEC : 4.00.0.0
Microsoft CCITT G.711 A-Law and u-Law CODEC : 4.00.0.0
Microsoft GSM 6.10 Audio CODEC : 4.00.0.0
DSP Group TrueSpeech(TM) Software CODEC : 1.00.0.0
Microsoft G.723.1 CODEC : 1.02.0.1
Windows Media Audio : 4.02.0.0
Sipro Lab Telecom ACELP.net audio codec : 3.02.0.0
Indeo® audio software : 2.05.0.53
Fraunhofer IIS MPEG Layer-3 Codec (advanced) : 1.09.1.49
Microsoft PCM Converter : 5.00.0.0


ASPI Information
----------------
System ASPI : ASPI is installed and working properly

WNASPI32.DLL : 4.71 (0001) 45056 bytes August 14, 2002
ASPI32.SYS : 4.71 (0001) 17005 bytes August 14, 2002
WINASPI.DLL : 4.60 (1021) 5600 bytes August 14, 2002
WOWPOST.EXE : 4.60 (1021) 4672 bytes August 14, 2002

Nero ASPI : ASPI is installed and working properly

WNASPI32.DLL : 2.0.1.59 160016 bytes June 17, 2003

after all as we can conclude this drive is a real crap...

sooner or later its dvd functionality is gonna fail...

so

After posting, and testing a bit more, I returned the drive to OfficeMAX where they replaced the unit without question. Always a pleasure to deal with OfficeMAX.

After returning from the store, and putting in the new drive (came with 0038 firmware MFG 08/2003 - btw the original drive had 0037 MFG 08/2003) it immediately worked. This would confirm that it is not the PC, drivers, or software, but the actual drive.

With such a small sample size, I can't conclude that the drive is "crap". (I can conclude that about IBM/Hitatchi Deskstar hard drives given that every one I've owned or RMA'd failed within a year). In my 20 years of experience, I've come to expect infant mortality in computer equipment. Let's hope this doesn't turn into a pattern.

I post this in hopes that it will save others from a lengthy debugging session to rule out "software" issues.

andrewb

what is your suggestion... im in turkey and got this drive from germany... i cant easly return it if it fails again...

what about this dvd-r problem then?

have ever try writing dvd-r... i did and all off them had read errors... i used different softwares...


i need this drive only for backup purposes not backing up dvd movies...

so need to write cheaper dvd-r disks...

my dvdrom is samsung sg616 and suppose to read dvd-rs but as i said its failed to read disk written with this drive?

I haven't tried writing DVD-R/RW disks, only +R/RW.

I recommend trying to contact support at BTC. Clearly there is something wrong with your drive/firmware.

Good luck,

Andy

Jilber,

Thanks for your intelligent, well balanced, well researched opinion about our DRW1004 ("after all as we can conclude this drive is a real crap... sooner or later its dvd functionality is gonna fail... so")

If this were true, BTC would be out of business in a couple of months, since we sold a couple of hundred thousands of these units. For your information, BTC was in this business since the heydays of the 4X CD-ROM drives, and we don't intend to stop anytime soon. So excuse me for not agreeing with you..... ; )

And besides, everybody who buys the drive has warranty, so if your drive is really defect, you can always return it. But at least give us the chance to help you with your problems.

To all of you who are reading this post I have to repeat what I've written on many posts before:

1. Media incompatibility problems exist;
Let's face it, these problems are real, and we're working on it to keep the problems as small as possible. Note that these problems are real not only for BTC, but for all brands DVDRW rewriters ! That is why you can find a media compatibility list on every DVD writer manufacturer's website, even Plextor, Pioneer, NEC, etc. So try to stick to these lists as much as possible. If you decide to deviate from this list, then the risk is all yours. It might be that we'll provide support for your media at a later date (later firmware), or maybe never. So whenever you venture out of the media compatibility list, you run the risk of getting problems. We still encourage you to let us know which MID codes you use and give you problems, because if a certain media is very popular, it will have a higher priority when tuning new media.

BTC website media compatibility list:
http://www.btceurope.nl/english/3-2-1MediaSupport.htm

2. MID codes, MID codes, MID codes
Time and time again people post messages about their Verbatim, Fuji, TDK, DataWrite, PrimeOn, etc. media having problems on their drive. The problem is that the brandname is not important when defining compatibility. That is because these brands often use more than one manufacturer for their media. You might find Fuji discs manufactured by Ricoh or Fuji discs manufactured by CMC Magnetics, etc. The only identification that is relevant, therefore, is the socalled MID code (Manufacturer ID) which can be read by using a special utility, such as DVDInfo Pro, etc. So, please, people, when posting problems, mention the MID code.

3. Failures do happen, even with good MID codes;
Media failures happen every now and then, so to be sure that your drive has problems with a certain media, try at least 2 or 3 discs before reporting the problem.

4. Keep firmware and software updated;
Always make sure to use the latest firmware that is posted on the website. It's no use reporting problems with an old firmware, because the new firmware might have a different impact on your particular media. We only move forward in firmwares, so the latest one should be the greatest one. We will not investigate problems if they are related to an old firmware.
Because some problems might be caused by your Nero or other burning software, please also make sure to use the latest version/update.

BTC website DRW1004 firmware updates:
http://www.btceurope.nl/english/3-1-...d_dvd_dual.htm

(V0045 is now available !)

5. Only one laser pickup
There is only 1 laser inside the drive, so there is no different laser for the CD part and for the DVD part.

Marco
BTC Europe Support

I bought this drive recently and had problems with certain brands of media (either not recognising it, failed to finalise the DVD, or just taking a very long time to burn).

I finally worked out how to flash the drive... I Set it as the Secondary Slave and removed the other drive from the same ide cable, then I ran the flash software (which can be downloaded from the BTC website).

I must say, after upgrading to firmware v43, I found this drive to be fantastic. It works with every brand of media I have tried. Writing at 4x is great, 4.7gb in 13mins!!!

I'll flash v45 this evening, thanks for the info Marco.

Ngreenwo,

Thanks for sharing your experiences !

I really need these kind of positive posts, because in general people who don't have problems are not likely to go onto chatrooms posting their experiences. ; )

"I must say, after upgrading to firmware v43, I found this drive to be fantastic. It works with every brand of media I have tried. Writing at 4x is great, 4.7gb in 13mins!!!"

Would you be so kind as to add your succesful burns on the MEDIA COMPATIBILITY: GOOD RESULTS thread ?

Tks. in advance.

Marco
BTC Europe Support

Typically, when a repair/replacement is done at my employers company, we issue an explanation to why the device failed.

This issue with the BTC DRW1004IM and it's failing (in mass numbers? Well maybe not...) to recognize DVD media after some cataclysmic event has continued for a while now. I'm sure the BTC engineering department has had the chance to analyse any returns, so I ask; "What is the issue with these drives. What failed and why?".

Or is that a secret?

P.S. 1% of 200,000 is 2000. That sucks.

Hello Everyone.

I am only new to this forum and this is my first posting. I have spent the morning here reading about the BTC 1004 Drive of which I own one.

I have had the drive for little under a month, and so far its been great and very happy with it.

Unfortunately it has succumbed to the failure that we have read about - wont recognise dvd's of any description. But of course cd's yes no problems.

Of course I was surprised for this to happen and I have been assured that the drive will be replaced without question.

Marco, I would like to thank you for your time and effort in replying to the forum, you have given me peace of mind. Apart from this little problem I am very happy with the drive and software.

I will try upgrading the firmware and report to the forum.

Fingers crossed

Hello,

Well I upgraded to firmware version 45 with no luck apart from that the BTC drive will at least now open a dvd, but will not recognise any files located on any DVD format...

Well, time for a new drive :

here it is another YAUBU (Yet Another Unhappy Btc User) - with all the respect to BTC workers after 2 happy weeks usage now i got the same bad situation with my DRW1004im stucked in the same way i read in this bb, but with a worst aggravation: i have tried to update the f/w but the IDPFLIDR1004.exe program, appropriateli d/l from the BTC website, has stucked too - so the result is that my drive is almost DEAD!
so before to put my drive in the trash (with a damn loss of 186 euros) i try my last chance calling this sos (Marco are u there?) : is there someone out there that knows a desperate workaround to bring back to life my btc drive (sorta of neo in matrix) ???

Dear users,

If you receive your drive with firmware earlier than V0045, then I recommend to update the firmware immediately to V0045 before you try to burn any DVDs.

As far as I can see, only drive with firmwares V0040, V0039, V0038 have had the problem that they suddenly couldn't read DVDs anymore.

If you experience this problem, and suddenly you can't read any pressed DVDs anymore or any of the writable DVDs that you could read before, then please contact your dealer to get a replacement.

Marco
BTC Europe Support

Astelix,

If your drive shows the behavior of suddenly not being able to read DVDs while it is still recognized by Windows and works normally with CDs/CDR(W)s, then please contact your dealer for a replacement.

If your drive is "dead" due to a failed update attempt, you might want to contact me at support@btceurope.nl and I will send you the DOS version of the latest V0045 firmware update.

The problem is that if you startup your system with a dead drive, the mainboard BIOS will not find any drive and after startup up DOS and attempting to flash, the flash utility will think there is no drive to be flashed. The "trick" usually works as follows:

1. Start up the system with a DOS floppy disc and a good working drive attached to the secondary slave (or master)
2. After startup, while the system is running (!), disconnect the drive and connect the "dead" DRW1004 (use the same setting, slave or master, whichever was used in step 1.)
3. Then you should be able to flash the drive as normal.


Marco
BTC Europe Support