Unspecified Target error.

Hello everyone!
I'm new here, and have been on many other forums where I have had no response. I'm hoping someone here could help me out
I have a Toshiba Satellite laptop M40 JM-8 model. I have burned data and made backup dvds with no problems up until now. I am using Memorex 16x DVD+Rs. (Can it be that the 16x is too fast for my burner??)

Here is my Nero Log:

Larissa
Laroo

Windows XP 5.1
IA32
WinAspi: -
ahead WinASPI: File 'C:\Program Files\Ahead\nero\Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=2.0.1.74, size=164112 bytes, created 10/27/2004 2:35:34 AM
Nero Version: 6.6.0.14
Internal Version: 6, 6, 0, 14d
(Nero Express)
Recorder: Version: 1.40 - HA 1 TA 0 - 6.6.0.14
Adapter driver: HA 1
Drive buffer : 2048kB
Bus Type : default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ATAPI
CD-ROM: Version: 1.40 - HA 1 TA 0 - 6.6.0.14
Adapter driver: HA 1

=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral : TOSHIBA MK1031GAS atapi Port 0 ID 0 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-831S atapi Port 1 ID 0 DMA: On

=== CDRom-Device-Map ===
MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-831S D: CDRom0
=======================

AutoRun : 1
Excluded drive IDs:
WriteBufferSize: 73400320 (0) Byte
ShowDrvBufStat : 0
BUFE : 0
Physical memory : 503MB (515500kB)
Free physical memory: 219MB (224912kB)
Memory in use : 56 %
Uncached PFiles: 0x0
Use Inquiry : 1
Global Bus Type: default (0)
Check supported media : Disabled (0)

19.2.2006
ISO compilation
11:56:57 AM #1 Text 0 File Isodoc.cpp, Line 6314
Iso document burn settings
------------------------------------------
Determine maximum speed : FALSE
Simulate : FALSE
Write : TRUE
Finalize CD : TRUE
Multisession : FALSE
Burning mode : DAO
Mode : 1
ISO Level : 1 (Max. of 11 = 8 + 3 char)
Character set : ISO 9660
Joliet : TRUE
Allow pathdepth more than 8 directories : TRUE
Allow more than 255 characters in path : TRUE
Write ISO9660 ;1 file extensions : TRUE

11:56:57 AM #2 Text 0 File Reader.cpp, Line 127
Reader running

11:56:57 AM #3 Text 0 File Writer.cpp, Line 122
Writer MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-831S running

11:56:57 AM #4 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 3297
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

11:56:57 AM #5 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3230
Turn on Disc-At-Once, using DVD media

11:56:57 AM #6 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 267
Last possible write address on media: 2295103 (510:01.28, 4482MB)
Last address to be written: 1841279 (409:10.29, 3596MB)

11:56:57 AM #7 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 279
Write in overburning mode: NO (enabled: CD)

11:56:57 AM #8 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 2433
Recorder: MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-831S, Media type: DVD+R
Disc Manufacturer ID: RICOHJPN, Media Type ID: R03, Product revision number: 4
Disc Application Code: 0, Extended Information Indicators: 7

11:56:57 AM #9 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 445
>>> Protocol of DlgWaitCD activities: <<<
=========================================

11:56:57 AM #10 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 830
Setup items (after recorder preparation)
0: TRM_DATA_MODE1 ()
2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
original disc pos #0 + 1841280 (1841280) = #1841280/409:10.30
relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/ required, no patch infos
-> TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 1841280 blocks [MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-831S]
--------------------------------------------------------------

11:56:57 AM #11 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 1043
Prepare recorder [MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-831S] for write in CUE-sheet-DAO
DAO infos:
==========
MCN: ""
TOCType: 0x00; Session Closed, disc fixated
Tracks 1 to 1:
1: TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048/0x00, FilePos 0 0 3770941440, ISRC ""
DAO layout:
===========
__Start_|____Track_|_Idx_|_CtrlAdr_|_RecDep__________
0 | lead-in | 0 | 0x41 | 0x00
0 | 1 | 0 | 0x41 | 0x00
0 | 1 | 1 | 0x41 | 0x00
1841280 | lead-out | 1 | 0x41 | 0x00

11:56:57 AM #12 Phase 24 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Caching of files started

11:56:57 AM #13 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 4114
Cache writing successful.

11:56:57 AM #14 Phase 25 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Caching of files completed

11:56:57 AM #15 Phase 36 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Burn process started at 2.4x (3,324 KB/s)

11:56:57 AM #16 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2643
Verifying disc position of item 0 (relocatable, disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #0

11:56:57 AM #17 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 8821
---- DVD Structure: Physical Format Information (00h) ----
Layer: 0, Address: 0 (0 h), AGID: 0; Length: 2050
Book Type: DVD+R (10), Part Version: 1
Disc Size: 120 mm, Maximum Rate: (F h)
Number of Layers: 1, Track Path: Parallel Track Path (PTP), Layer Type: recordable
Linear Density: 0,267 um/bit, Track Density: 0,74 um/track
Starting Physical Sector Number of Data Area: 30000 h (DVD-ROM, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW)
End Physical Sector Number of Data Area: 26053F h
End Sector Number in Layer 0: 0 h (LBN: FFFD0000 h, 4193920 MB)
Data in Burst Cutting Area (BCA) does not exist
Disc Application Code: 0 / 0 h
Extended Information indicators: 7 h
Disc Manufacturer ID: RICOHJPN
Media type ID: R03
Product revision number: 4
Number of Physical format information bytes in use in ADIP up to byte 63: 56
Media Specific [16..63]:
00 00 07 52 49 43 4F 48 - 4A 50 4E 52 30 33 04 38 ...RICOHJPNR03.8
23 54 37 13 00 44 73 00 - 84 6D 15 15 0B 0B 08 08 #T7..Ds..m......
01 19 1B 0C 0C 0C 0D 01 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................

11:56:57 AM #18 Text 0 File DVDPlusRW.cpp, Line 655
Start write address at LBA 0
DVD high compatibility mode: Yes

11:57:32 AM #19 SCSI -400 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1436
SCSI Exec, HA 1, TA 0, LUN 0, buffer 0x06B90000
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x04 (KEY_HARDWARE_ERROR)
Sense Code: 0x03
Sense Qual: 0x00
CDB Data: 0x2A 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x05 0xE0 0x00 0x00 0x20 0x00 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0xF1 0x00 0x04 0x00 0x00 0x02 0xF0 0x0A
0x00 0x29 0x00 0x00 0x03 0x00

11:57:32 AM #20 CDR -400 File Writer.cpp, Line 311
Unspecified target error

11:57:32 AM #21 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 228
all writers idle, stopping conversion

11:57:32 AM #22 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 222
conversion idle, stopping reader

11:57:39 AM #23 SCSI -1046 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1182
SCSI Exec, HA 1, TA 0, LUN 0
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x05 (KEY_ILLEGAL_REQUEST)
Sense Code: 0x30
Sense Qual: 0x05
CDB Data: 0x5B 0x01 0x05 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0x70 0x00 0x05 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x0A
0x00 0x82 0x00 0x00 0x30 0x05

11:57:39 AM #24 Phase 127 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Generating DVD high compatibility borders

11:57:39 AM #25 Phase 129 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Generating DVD borders completed successfully

11:57:39 AM #26 Phase 38 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Burn process failed at 2.4x (3,324 KB/s)


Existing drivers:
File 'Drivers\PXHELP20.SYS': Ver=2.03.18a, size=20576 bytes, created 7/11/2005 6:32:52 AM (Prassi/Veritas driver for win 2K)
File 'Drivers\atapi.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), size=95360 bytes, created 8/4/2004 7:59:44 AM (Adapter driver for rec)

Registry Keys:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\AllocateCDROMs : 0 (Security Option)

***********************

I have also had this error from Sonic MyDVD when attempting to burn home dvds. "Could not complete the last command because: Device Error- Sense Code (5 30 05) Cannot write medium- Incompatible format Write (OSerr339973)."

Thanks in advance for your help.
Nicelala

---

Last edited by Da_Taxman; 13-03-2006 at 23:19. Reason: removed serial number that was showing

Nero is up to date, but Memorex media is known for being problematic with some burners already. Especially Matshita burners are picky, to say the least.

That doesn't look good.

But I would try with 8x rated TY or Verbatim media first.

firmware 1.40 is on your burner, wow!
http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=1986
Never seen that version before, must be latest already.

HI _Chef_!
Thanks for the quick reply! I'll try one of those kinds of media. What does your above quote mean? Is there something seriously wrong with my computer?

Please let me know what I can do! :/

Thx! Larissa

Normally it means that there might be a hardware related problem (burner), but especially in case of Matshita burners I'm not that sure about it...

Could still be only that your burner really dislike that media.

Hello again! I bought some new media, and no luck! I tried 1-4x DVD+r this time...still errors in Nero. It looks like a different log so I'm going to post it and maybe someone can help me out.

Here it is:
Larissa
Laroo


Windows XP 5.1
IA32
WinAspi: -
ahead WinASPI: File 'C:\Program Files\Ahead\nero\Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=2.0.1.74, size=164112 bytes, created 10/27/2004 2:35:34 AM
Nero Version: 6.6.0.14
Internal Version: 6, 6, 0, 14d
(Nero Express)
Recorder: <MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-831S>Version: 1.40 - HA 1 TA 0 - 6.6.0.14
Adapter driver: <atapi> HA 1
Drive buffer : 2048kB
Bus Type : default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ATAPI
CD-ROM: <MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-831S >Version: 1.40 - HA 1 TA 0 - 6.6.0.14
Adapter driver: <atapi> HA 1

=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral : TOSHIBA MK1031GAS atapi Port 0 ID 0 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-831S atapi Port 1 ID 0 DMA: On

=== CDRom-Device-Map ===
MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-831S D: CDRom0
=======================

AutoRun : 1
Excluded drive IDs:
WriteBufferSize: 73400320 (0) Byte
ShowDrvBufStat : 0
BUFE : 0
Physical memory : 503MB (515500kB)
Free physical memory: 116MB (119384kB)
Memory in use : 76 %
Uncached PFiles: 0x0
Use Inquiry : 1
Global Bus Type: default (0)
Check supported media : Disabled (0)

4.3.2006
ISO compilation
12:12:26 PM #1 Text 0 File Isodoc.cpp, Line 6314
Iso document burn settings
------------------------------------------
Determine maximum speed : FALSE
Simulate : FALSE
Write : TRUE
Finalize CD : TRUE
Multisession : FALSE
Burning mode : DAO
Mode : 1
ISO Level : 1 (Max. of 11 = 8 + 3 char)
Character set : ISO 9660
Joliet : TRUE
Allow pathdepth more than 8 directories : TRUE
Allow more than 255 characters in path : TRUE
Write ISO9660 ;1 file extensions : TRUE

12:12:26 PM #2 Text 0 File Reader.cpp, Line 127
Reader running

12:12:26 PM #3 Text 0 File Writer.cpp, Line 122
Writer MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-831S running

12:12:26 PM #4 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 3297
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

12:12:26 PM #5 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3230
Turn on Disc-At-Once, using DVD media

12:12:26 PM #6 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 267
Last possible write address on media: 2295103 (510:01.28, 4482MB)
Last address to be written: 2148191 (477:22.41, 4195MB)

12:12:26 PM #7 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 279
Write in overburning mode: NO (enabled: CD)

12:12:26 PM #8 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 2433
Recorder: MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-831S, Media type: DVD+R
Disc Manufacturer ID: AML, Media Type ID: 001, Product revision number: 0
Disc Application Code: 0, Extended Information Indicators: 1

12:12:26 PM #9 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 445
>>> Protocol of DlgWaitCD activities: <<<
=========================================

12:12:26 PM #10 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 830
Setup items (after recorder preparation)
0: TRM_DATA_MODE1 ()
2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
original disc pos #0 + 2148192 (2148192) = #2148192/477:22.42
relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/ required, no patch infos
-> TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 2148192 blocks [MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-831S]
--------------------------------------------------------------

12:12:26 PM #11 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 1043
Prepare recorder [MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-831S] for write in CUE-sheet-DAO
DAO infos:
==========
MCN: ""
TOCType: 0x00; Session Closed, disc fixated
Tracks 1 to 1:
1: TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048/0x00, FilePos 0 0 4399497216, ISRC ""
DAO layout:
===========
__Start_|____Track_|_Idx_|_CtrlAdr_|_RecDep__________
0 | lead-in | 0 | 0x41 | 0x00
0 | 1 | 0 | 0x41 | 0x00
0 | 1 | 1 | 0x41 | 0x00
2148192 | lead-out | 1 | 0x41 | 0x00

12:12:26 PM #12 Phase 24 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Caching of files started

12:12:27 PM #13 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 4114
Cache writing successful.

12:12:27 PM #14 Phase 25 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Caching of files completed

12:12:27 PM #15 Phase 36 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Burn process started at 2.4x (3,324 KB/s)

12:12:27 PM #16 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2643
Verifying disc position of item 0 (relocatable, disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #0

12:12:27 PM #17 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 8821
---- DVD Structure: Physical Format Information (00h) ----
Layer: 0, Address: 0 (0 h), AGID: 0; Length: 2050
Book Type: DVD+R (10), Part Version: 1
Disc Size: 120 mm, Maximum Rate: <not specified> (F h)
Number of Layers: 1, Track Path: Parallel Track Path (PTP), Layer Type: recordable
Linear Density: 0,267 um/bit, Track Density: 0,74 um/track
Starting Physical Sector Number of Data Area: 30000 h (DVD-ROM, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW)
End Physical Sector Number of Data Area: 26053F h
End Sector Number in Layer 0: 0 h (LBN: FFFD0000 h, 4193920 MB)
Data in Burst Cutting Area (BCA) does not exist
Disc Application Code: 0 / 0 h
Extended Information indicators: 1 h
Disc Manufacturer ID: AML.....
Media type ID: 001
Product revision number: 0
Number of Physical format information bytes in use in ADIP up to byte 63: 56
Media Specific [16..63]:
00 00 01 41 4D 4C 00 00 - 00 00 00 30 30 31 00 38 ...AML.....001.8
23 54 37 13 02 4A 71 02 - 90 66 16 16 0B 0B 0A 0A #T7..Jq..f......
01 1C 1E 0B 0C 12 12 01 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................

12:12:27 PM #18 Text 0 File DVDPlusRW.cpp, Line 655
Start write address at LBA 0
DVD high compatibility mode: Yes

12:12:59 PM #19 SCSI -400 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1436
SCSI Exec, HA 1, TA 0, LUN 0, buffer 0x03430000
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x04 (KEY_HARDWARE_ERROR)
Sense Code: 0x03
Sense Qual: 0x00
CDB Data: 0x2A 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x05 0xE0 0x00 0x00 0x20 0x00 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0xF1 0x00 0x04 0x00 0x00 0x02 0xF0 0x0A
0x00 0x29 0x00 0x00 0x03 0x00

12:12:59 PM #20 CDR -400 File Writer.cpp, Line 311
Unspecified target error

12:12:59 PM #21 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 228
all writers idle, stopping conversion

12:13:00 PM #22 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 222
conversion idle, stopping reader

12:13:08 PM #23 SCSI -1046 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1182
SCSI Exec, HA 1, TA 0, LUN 0
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x05 (KEY_ILLEGAL_REQUEST)
Sense Code: 0x30
Sense Qual: 0x05
CDB Data: 0x5B 0x01 0x05 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0x70 0x00 0x05 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x0A
0x00 0x82 0x00 0x00 0x30 0x05

12:13:08 PM #24 Phase 127 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Generating DVD high compatibility borders

12:13:08 PM #25 Phase 129 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Generating DVD borders completed successfully

12:13:08 PM #26 Phase 38 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
Burn process failed at 2.4x (3,324 KB/s)


Existing drivers:
File 'Drivers\PXHELP20.SYS': Ver=2.03.32a, size=20640 bytes, created 1/20/2006 11:46:33 PM (Prassi/Veritas driver for win 2K)
File 'Drivers\atapi.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), size=95360 bytes, created 8/4/2004 7:59:44 AM (Adapter driver for rec)

Registry Keys:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\AllocateCDROMs : 0 (Security Option)

---

Last edited by Da_Taxman; 13-03-2006 at 23:19. Reason: removed serial number that was showing

Like chef mentioned before it could be you've a bad drive.

One last thing. I just tried again in Sonic Record Now and it has a much shorter log here's that one:
Sense: 04 ASC: 03 ASCQ: 00 (Command 2A)
-------------------------------------------------------
Px.dll: 2.4.43.500
pxdrv.dll: 1.1.51.0
PxMas.dll: 2.4.43.500
pxsfs.dll: 2.0.60.500
PxWave.dll: 2.4.43.500
PXWMA.dll: 1.0.0.3

I have successfully burned on DVD+RW since my first post, but nothing else!

Hardware trouble, either from the drive, controller or cable.

Any suggestions about what I can do about this problem? (I'm not quite sure what contoller or cables are...)

Why do you burner at 2.4x?

Your drive is rated at 8x for +R/-R so with a hi-speed media you should start at 8x.

If of course 2.4x is all that Nero/Sonic offer then the burners firmware is not recognising the media & the chances of a good burn are small.

I don't think this is "a hi-speed media"...

AML manufactured media are among the worst disc's known to man.
Use decent quality media & your problems will go away.

The panny burners are .. um .. not good burners.
Coupled with terrible media & you aren't going anywhere.

My old panny burner (going back many years ago now) would throw out a hardware sense key error for any media it didn't like. Quite a few media's it didn't like, as it turned out.

Please check out the "Bargain Basement" part of the forum for some high quality MCC (verbatim) or TY (Taiyo Yuden) media in you area.
Even some Ricoh manufactured media will likely do the job.

Well, what a waste! I now have all these blanks that don't work...

Can anyone give me a reason why media I have used before in the same burner all of the sudden doesn't work?

I'm still under warrany do you think there's hope if I take the laptop back to where I bought it?

ahhh

Thanks again for all of your help guys!

I think you are missing the point.
The blank DVD's you have bought are shit quality.

The reason that some work (that's amazing in itself actually) and others don't is because of piss-poor quality control by the manufacturer (AML).

There is most likely nothing wrong with the laptop or your DVD writer.

TY and Verbatim media should work fine, even with MatSHITa drives.
Just a hint.

Hi again!

Should I be buying 1-4x or 8x? will 16x be too fast for my SHIT burner?

Thanks!

Send an email to Nero, showing this section of your post...here's the link:

http://www.nero.com/eng/Support.html

I agree with the other posters in that I think your drive may be a little on the sick side...why, I don't know.

Also download and try one of the free dvd burning programs available online and see if you get a 100% good burn.
Try here:
http://www.cdburnerxp.se/

OK! WOW...so my neighbor just came over, he installed "PC Wizard" onto my computer. We noticed that when looking at the DVD drive that it's saying it only reads -R DVDs! So we burnt one and it worked with no problems!
This is just so strange because I have burnt DVD+R in the past without problems. It tells us that +R can't be read on my drive either...so we tried to read it and it didn't work...then 10 minutes later tried again and it read it (the +R).

The burner is still not writing DVD+R but now I know that -R will work so I guess I'll stick to those.

Anyone have any ideas as to HOW my burner would just change the type of media it likes +/-? So strange to me. It's supposed to read and write both from what I remember when buying it!
Damn MatSHITa! Is there anyway to switch between the two (-/+) that maybe I'm not aware of on the computer??

Go to their website and update the firmware of that particular drive...may fix it.

The latest firmware on Toshiba website is 1.02

But, as already pointed out by _chef_ in post #2 , NiceLala's version is 1.40 (shown in Nero log anyway).

Looks like 1.02 firmware is one year old and therefore doesn't support newer MID's. But I would be interesting to see how the drive acts when flashed with this firmware.

Hi Pinto2: What is MID?

Do you think I should go ahead and try the 1.02 or leave well enough alone and buy some DVD-R and use them?

Stroppy: I tried burning with the program I downloaded from your site with my DVD+R and this is what it said as the error: "Writing error (3) Error occured writing data to disc. A flaw exists in the powe calibration area (1048). Error sense data: SENSE KEY: 3ASC:73 ASCQ:3"

This means nothing to me, does it clarify anything for any of you?

Media ID, link
Your drive is a multi writer capable to burn all types of media, DVD-RAM included.

Did your laptop/burner came with this (1.40) firmware originally.

Yes, it did! I haven't changed any firmware since I bought it in July 2005.

The reason I bought this laptop was because it was capable of reading DVD-RAM discs and they are what I use for my DVD video camera. It still reads those, just not +R anymore.

1-4x media is getting pretty scarce.

8x is the cheap media now, it is the best choice. It can be burnt at any speed lower than 8x (and possibly higher) with acceptable results on most burners.

16x media is more expensive than 8x. Why would you pay the premium if you can only burn at 8x anyway?