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22-02-2006
| #2 (permalink) |
| Moderator  Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ Model numbering/internal hardware difference issues : 1.What does the drive model name/number mean? Older LG DVD writers generally have a model name/number of the following form : HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GxA-yyyyZFrom left to right :
Last edited by karangguni; 01-01-2007 at 10:48. |
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22-02-2006
| #3 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 2.I have seen a GSA-HxxNBK/BI/BG on sale. Is this a different model from the GSA-HxxN? The extra K, I, G and other prefixes seem to be dealer codes. They appear to have been added to distinguish between the different coloured bezels, whether the drive comes with bundled software, and whether IDE/audio cables are included. These were probably added by dealers to help in stock taking, although similar codes have been seen in the product pages of one of LG's own websites. The drive is however, identical to the version without the extra prefixes. See this post for more information : http://club.cdfreaks.com/showpost.ph...3&postcount=21 Thanks to onebigload for clarifying this issue. Last edited by karangguni; 01-01-2007 at 10:49. |
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22-02-2006
| #4 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 3.What are the differences between OEM models and retail ones? Put briefly, this is a mess. OEM models (GWA, GMA, GCA, odd numbered 2-digit GSA models) tend to come bundled with PCs sold by various OEMs (e.g. HP). They generally differ from their retail (4 digit GSA , even numbered 2-digit GSA models) cousins in that they do not have DVD-RAM support (with the exception of the GMA). Some of them do not even use the same chipset as their retail equivalents, and so are different internally. There does not seem to be a way to tell what the exact differences are from the model number/name. There is another key difference between OEM models and retail ones : LG does not support OEM models themselves with firmware. LG has a rather odd policy on OEM writers. They seem to make custom models for OEMs which are different from retail models. As mentioned above, it usually involves leaving out DVD-RAM support. They also expect OEMs to provide the firmware support for these drives themselves. So if you have one of these OEM drives, your best bet is to look for firmware updates from the OEM which made your system. Occasionally, an OEM model will appear on the market for sale as a bare unit. These are typically internal models. How they end up there is a matter of some conjecture. The bottom line however, is that LG will not provide firmware support for these OEM models and since you have no OEM to turn to, you will have problems getting firmware updates. As such, it is best to avoid OEM models which are sold as bare units. Save yourself the trouble and get a retail version. There is a short discussion on this here : http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=144384 (Thanks to Kenshin) Certain companies also re-badge LG's retail models and sell them as their own. These are not to be confused with OEM models since these have model numbers which are the same as retail ones (4 digit GSA/even numbered 2-digit models). These drives are safe to purchase provided their model numbers are identical to the model numbers of retail models. Last edited by karangguni; 01-01-2007 at 10:51. |
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22-02-2006
| #5 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 4.How do I tell if the writer in the system I bought whole from X manufacturer is an OEM LG? Use Nero Infotool which will show you the model name/number of the drive. If this fits the form shown in Q1, it is an OEM LG writer. Sometimes, the OEM will replace LG's normal model name with something of their own. If this is what you experience, then you have to open the casing of your system and have a look at the label pasted on the top of the writer. You should be able to find the real model name/number printed on that label. Last edited by karangguni; 01-01-2007 at 10:51. |
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22-02-2006
| #6 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 5.What chipsets are LG writers based on? Most LG writers use chipsets made by either Renesas or Panasonic. The following is a short list of known chipsets used in various models :
OEM models may not use the same chipsets as their retail versions, even though the model number (4 or 2-digit number to the right of GSA/GWA/GMA) is the same. (Thanks to 2601 for getting hold of so many new models and graciously opening them up and snapping photos of the chipsets) Code: #The H20N has been successfully cross flashed with H20L firmware, which suggests the two drives use the same chipset. Again, no one can fully confirm this until the drive is opened and the actual chipset used is examined. See here for more information : http://club.cdfreaks.com/showpost.ph...3&postcount=25 (Thanks to Darthboy for the information and screenshot) Last edited by vroom; 4 Weeks Ago at 15:39. Reason: add a few drives (01 Aug 2008) |
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22-02-2006
| #7 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 6.I've heard of Hitachi DVD writers. Aren't they the same as LG writers? This issue is a little confusing. Although HLDS does stand for Hitachi LG Data Storage, Hitachi appears to separately market its own version of LG's drives. These drives seem to be available only in Japan. They typically appear on sale only as drives rebadged by other brands, usually Buffalo or IO-Data. Hitachi does not seem to sell them directly. They do not seem to be identical to their LG counterparts. There are several notable differences externally :
With earlier models (4163B and below), the differences in features were apparently implemented in EEPROM, according to TDB. Later models however, seem to have implemented these features in firmware alone. See this post for more information : http://club.cdfreaks.com/showpost.ph...7&postcount=22 See these webpages for pictures of Hitachi's versions of LG writers : http://homepage2.nifty.com/yss/4167b_p2/4167b_p2_01.htm http://homepage2.nifty.com/yss/4167b_p3/4167b_p3.htm http://homepage2.nifty.com/yss/gsah10n/gsah10n_djou.htm Thanks to YSS for the links above and TDB for their insight into the workings of LG writers. Last edited by karangguni; 01-01-2007 at 10:52. |
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23-02-2006
| #8 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 7.What are the writing characteristics of a Panasonic/Renasas LG writer? LG uses two different chipset lines (Panasonic and Renasas) for its writers which have certain identifiable characteristics when writing to DVD discs in terms of writing strategies used : RenasasThis information was contributed over a long period of time by too many people to name. Thanks to all who contributed to this information in some way. Last edited by karangguni; 01-01-2007 at 10:53. |
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01-01-2007
| #9 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 8.Which is better, a Renesas or Panasonic chipset LG writer? Neither. Both lines of writers are generally decent, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. Depending on your needs, one or the other might be more suitable for you : RenasasSome information on this subject is available in this thread : http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=201188 (Thanks to kg_evilboy for the initial comparison between writers that led to this question) Last edited by karangguni; 01-01-2007 at 08:43. |
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01-01-2007
| #10 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ DVD-RAM issues : 9.How do I write to DVD-RAM discs with Windows 98/2000? Windows 98 and 2000 can read DVD-RAM discs, but they do not have built in support to write to these discs. So you need to install third party software in order to get write ability for DVD-RAM discs. You have two choices :
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01-01-2007
| #11 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 10.My LG writer is supposed to support DVD-RAM writing at 5x, yet it seems to only write at 2x. Is my drive defective? One of the features of DVD-RAM discs is that during a write operation, the DVD-RAM driver will read back the data it has just written and compare it with the source data. The purpose of this action, is to verify that the data that was just written is the same as the source data you are writing. This is one of the features that gives DVD-RAM use its robustness - it ensures that what you have written on the disc is what you read back. However, this continuous read back operation effectively slows down the speed of the write process, effectively cutting it down by about half. So what you are observing is the normal behaviour for DVD-RAM writing and nothing is wrong with your drive. |
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01-01-2007
| #12 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 11.Is there a way to disable the read back verification process when writing to DVD-RAM discs? While reviewers are able to use Nero CD Speed to perform benchmark tests with the read back process disabled, there does not seem to be a way to disable the read back verification for normal write use. In any case, there is very little reason to do so. Assuming you were able to do this, you would be negating one of the key features that makes DVD-RAM discs so reliable, even though write operations would be faster. If that is what you are after, you might as well just use DVD+RW/-RW discs instead. |
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01-01-2007
| #13 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ Firmware and updating issues : 12.Where can I find firmware updates for my retail model LG writer? For retail (GSA) models, there are two ways to get hold of firmware updates for your LG writer :
For re-badged retail models, you may or may not be able to use LG's own retail firmware. Some re-badged retail models have a different firmware numbering system. If you have a drive of this sort, it is probably best to get the firmware from the company that re-badged the drive. Something may be slightly different with these drives, when compared to LG's normal retail models. For example, Hitachi sold its own re-badged GSA-4163B drives (as compared to the usual LG branded ones), which had firmware versions of the form ANxx (LG's retail version uses firmware numbered as A10x). People who used LG's own firmware on that drive found that the drive could no longer do book typing. Other re badged retail models may work fine when flashed with LG's own firmware. The risk entirely is up to you if you choose to do so. |
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01-01-2007
| #14 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 13.Where can I find firmware updates for my OEM model LG writer? For OEM models (GWA, GCA, GMA, newer odd numbered 2-digit GSA models), you have to look for firmware updates from the OEM which built the system your drive came in. LG does not provide firmware support for OEM models as it expects the OEMs to provide the firmware (see Q3). Note that the firmware for the same OEM model from a different OEM (e.g. using firmware for an OEM model from Fujitsu on the same model from HP) sometimes will not work. The reason being that certain OEMs use slightly different model names (e.g. "HL-DT-ST GWA4164B" vs "HLDTSTGWA4164B") which the firmware flashing program does not recognise as the same drive model. LG's retail version firmware usually will not work on equivalent OEM models (e.g. using firmware for the GSA-4163B on a GWA-4163B) because LG's firmware flashing program performs a check when it is run to see if the drive model it is being used on, matches what the firmware was intended for. This applies to newer models (GSA-4163B and above). Some OEM models are different internally from their equivalent retail models, so using the firmware for the retail model would not work anyway. The retail version of firmware for older LG writers (4160B and below) may work with their OEM equivalents assuming the hardware is identical. A different flashing program was used for those drives which was apparently less draconian about checking the drive model. See this thread for more information : http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=163937 One or two websites have links to firmware for LG OEM writers, such as the following :
Thanks to ala42 for information about LG's firmware. |
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01-01-2007
| #15 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 14.Can I go back to a previous version of firmware? Yes, you can. LG's firmware updates do not include any form of version checking which prevents you from going back to an older revision of firmware. Simply reflash the drive with whatever previous version of firmware you want. |
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01-01-2007
| #16 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 15.Does region free firmware exist for my LG DVD writer? No official region free firmware exist. But you can use MediaCodeSpeedEdit to make your drive region free. There you can also find the instructions how to use the MCSE tool. Note that using these hacked or modified versions of firmware you will probably invalidate the warranty on your drive. If you are unsure of what you are doing, ask or don't do it. There is also the http://tdb.rpc1.org/ Last edited by vroom; 4 Weeks Ago at 22:13. Reason: A small update 28 Jul 2008 |
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01-01-2007
| #17 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 16.Does anti-riplock firmware exist for my LG writer? It is possible to remove the riplock for the following drive models using Media Code Speed Edit (MCSE), a firmware hacking tool written by ala42 : The way this is done is that MCSE is first used to modify the firmware for these drives to remove the riplock. Then drive is flashed with the modified firmware. This should work with any version of firmware for these drives, including DJ13 (4167B) and JJ11 (H10N). TDB's region free firmware versions should also work. Instructions are as follows :
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread....133858&page=14 A list of drives that can have the rip-lock removed. Code: Supported DVD writers for DVD read speed increasing patch: LG 4163/4165/4167/E10/E40/GH20/H10/H12/H42/H44/H62/H66 drives - DVD+R/-R 6.8x start/16.2x end/12.2 average - DVD+RW-RW/+R9 5.2x start/12x end/9.5 average - DVDROM-DL 5.2x start/12x end/9.5 average Supported DVD writers for DVD riplock patch: LG 4163/4165/4167/GH20/H10/H12/H42/H44/H62/H66/T11/T20/T21 LG 4164/4166/H20/H21/H22/H30/H31/H50/H54/H55/H58/H73 If you have never flashed your drive with firmware updates before, it is recommended that you do not attempt this as this may be a bit too complicated for you. Please also note that you use these instructions entirely at your own risk. While they should work, we cannot guarantee that they will. We cannot be held responsible in any way if anything goes wrong.Please be aware that flashing your drive with any modified firmware, or cross flashing your drive will almost certainly invalidate the warranty on your drive. Thanks also to ala42 for the excellent MCSE and for adding the ability to remove the riplock of these drives. Last edited by vroom; 4 Weeks Ago at 12:05. Reason: Update 28 Jul 2008 |
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01-01-2007
| #18 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 17.The instructions that come with LG's firmware version xx11 state that "this firmware update is for drives with original firmware versions below xx10". I presently am using xx10. Do I have to flash with xx09 first? No. This is apparently a mis-translation from Korean, which is the language those instructions were originally written in. It should actually read something similar to "...for drives with original firmware versions up to xx10". You can find out more about this here : http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=140289 Thanks to Kenshin for clearing this issue up. |
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01-01-2007
| #19 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 18.The instructions that come with LG's firmware state that my internal LG writer must be connected as the only drive on the secondary IDE channel and jumpered as master, in order for the drive to be flashed. Is there a way I can flash the drive without going through all this trouble? Many users have successfully flashed LG writers jumpered differently and with other drives connected on the same channel. This is probably just LG playing it safe and you should be able to flash the drive without having to reconnect everything. However, if this is your first time flashing a DVD writer, you might want to follow those instructions just to be safe. One thing that the instructions do not mention that might be helpful, is to boot Windows into safe mode first and then flash your LG writer. The benefit of this is that it bypasses the loading of certain third party drivers which may interfere with the flashing process. However, it may not be possible to flash in safe mode on all systems : with certain system configurations, a DVD writer is inaccessible with Windows in safe mode. Should you observe this with your system when you boot into safe mode, do not worry - nothing is wrong with your drive. Certain DVD tools prevent access to certain DVD writers with Windows in safe mode. It just means that you probably can only flash your writer with Windows booted in normal mode. |
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01-01-2007
| #20 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 19.I have an external LG writer but according to the instructions that come with LG's firmware, I have to connect the drive as master on the secondary channel in order to flash. Does this mean I have to remove the drive inside my external LG writer and connect it to an IDE channel in order to flash it? No. Whoever wrote those instructions probably copied off the instructions meant for flashing an internal model. Ignore those instructions as they are incorrect. You can go ahead and flash the external writer as it is. |
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01-01-2007
| #21 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 20.My system locked up/rebooted/turned off during the firmware flashing process. What can I do to recover from this? LG writers have a sort of "safe mode" which they go into when a bad flash occurs. Usually, when this mode kicks in, you will find that the drive is still detected by Windows, but the drive may not read or write to discs, or both. Simply re-flash the drive and when it is done, the drive should be working again. However, there are cases where the drive may not kick into "safe mode". This can happen if the flashing process is interrupted while writing the boot code to the drive. In such a situation, your drive will probably not be detected by Windows at all. There is unfortunately, nothing you can do about this and the drive is almost certainly dead. More information on this can be found here : http://club.cdfreaks.com/showpost.ph...35&postcount=8 Thanks to ala42 for explaining this. Last edited by karangguni; 01-01-2007 at 10:18. |
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01-01-2007
| #22 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 21.Is there a tool which I can use to backup the existing firmware on my LG writer, something like MTKFlash? Unfortunately, no such tool exists. MTKFlash itself only works on MediaTek chipsets, which LG writers do not use. This is also why a bad flash which does not go into "safe mode" is lethal for LG writers - there is no low level recovery tool that can be used on them. |
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01-01-2007
| #23 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 22.Is there any way to extract the firmware into a binary form I can use on Linux/Mac OSX/some other OS? Unfortunately, no. To begin with, no flashing program exists for current LG writers, which runs in any OS apart from Windows. No one has published any tool to extract the firmware in binary form from LG's flashing programs either. A DOS based flashering program apparently existed for the GSA-4120B and older drives, but this does not seem to work with later models of LG writers. It appears that the only way to flash the newer LG writers, is using Windows. |
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01-01-2007
| #24 (permalink) |
| Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,509
| LG DVD Writer FAQ 23.Are there are models of LG writers that can be cross flashed to other models? Yes. Note however, that cross flashing writers carries a risk that if it does not work properly, you may be left with your drive in a state where it is inoperable, with no way to recover from this. There are many situations where cross flashing may or may not work, with no way to know for sure until you try. If you do succeed, it invalidates the warranty of your drive. This sort of thing is for experts only, so if you do not know for sure what you are doing, do not try! GSA-H10A -> GSA-H10N These two drives appear to be identical internally. The firmware revision code for both drives shows the string "GSA-H10NMAIN", indicating that the firmware used for both drives is meant for the same drive. This alludes to the fact that the drives use identical hardware.GSA-H10A/N->GSA-H12N These three drives appear to use virtually the same hardware and differ only in terms of firmware. Several people have successfully crossflashed both H10A and H10N drives into H12Ns. The main reason for doing so is to gain the ability to do 18x burns.GSA-H10L -> GSA-E10L
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