708 self test ruins 2 DVD+Rs (won't read CDs)

Jon_J · 12-10-2005

I've read here in the forum about the PX-708 DVD burner not being able to read or write CDs.
Mine won't read pressed CDs either. I'ved tried my Windows install disc and Office disc. When it reads them, the light flashes yellow, (amber?) twice then stops, then repeats twice. When trying to access the drive in My Computer, I get In/Out Device error. I tried blank CDRs, it won't read them anymore either.

It burns DVD+Rs with no problem in Nero.
So I remove the disc and shut down computer, and run the self test exactly as the manual specifies. I tried a blank CDR, but that doesn't seem to work. I don't have any of the Plextor recommended CDRs. (I have used these CDRs when the CD function of the Plextor was working, with no problems - TDK [CMC Magnetics] )
I started the test over again with the computer switched off, and insterted a DVD+R (Fujifilm - YUDEN000T02). the light continously flashes from green to yellow, and the drive seems like it is busy. I wait awhile, but the drive never stops flashing or stops making spin noises. I cannot eject the disc, so I shut the computer off.
I turn the computer back on while holding the eject button, and eject the disc. I now try another one, because I noticed the first disc looks like 1/2 of it had been recorded. (Darker area one halfway out from center.)
I look closely at the second disc before I put it into the 708, and close the door. It was completely blank before I put it into the 708. The 708 runs, light flashing as above, from green to yellow, continously. I have to shut off computer, and then I Eject the disc as above.
This disc is also ruined!!

I return jumpers back to where they were, reconnect, IDE cable, and boot op my PC. I check these 2 DVD+R discs in Nero Burning Rom, and they only have 2,388MB available. Nero Info tool says Capacity: 0.00 GB
The darned self test just Burned and Ruined 2 expensive DVD+Rs. They are expensive because I bought them quite some time ago when they cost a lot more then they do now.
I still have an in-conclusive self test
It didn't do what the manual said, and I waited a long time while it was burning my blank DVD+Rs, and it never stopped.

Thank you for reading this,
Jon

*DVD_ADDICT* · 12-10-2005

Sounds to me like your 708a drive is on it's way out.....try contacting plextor support if you have any warranty left on the drive....

Jon_J · 12-10-2005

Thank you for your reply DVD_ADDICT.
I've had this drive since it first came out, was $299.99 then. No warrenty now.
I haven't used it that much.
I've only burned about 20 CDs with it since I've had it. (I have several CD burners)
I've burned about 50-75 DVDs with it.

If it's on it's way out, it's not because it's wore out because I haven't used it that much.

Jon

Kingston · 12-10-2005

Mine had the same problem.
Worked fine for some time, but then I formatted a 24x Verbatim CD-RW media I got (very expensive pieces of poo) and afterwards it wouldn't read any cd's, pressed or burned.
Not even blanks.
But it did all of its DVD duties with aplomb.
On some select media (notoriously the 4x Smart Buys, and the 2x DVD-R TDK) it used to get so-called hard errors, which cause the skipsyou experience.
Other than that, it performed really well.
I ended up selling it, and it made me very wary of Plextor afterwards.
That said, I just got my 740A, and the thing rocks! No bad burns!! And I checked every one of them!
Sorry if I hadn't been of much use, but our experiences are similar and I had to share them.

karnizero · 16-10-2005

I had same problem too... I think the latest firmware 1.11 is faulty.

I just installed the 1.11 firmware and a few days later I noticed the cds couldn't be recognized (blanks, pressed of burned), but dvds worked as usual.

It was just a month for the warranty to expire, so I just sent RMA to plextor and I got a new drive. It was working perfectly, detecting all dvds and cds

. I updated the new drive with the latest firmware again, as I didn't relate the problem I had with the old drive with the latest firmware (just so strange to think about it), and then, after "upgrading" I tried to burn a cd and it didn't detect it... then I related the problem to the firmware

, but it was too late... returning to any other previous firmware did not solve the problem, so I now have two 708a burners that cannot use cds...

I told a friend of mine that also has a 708a I had this issue, and then he told me he had the same problem, he couldn't use cds anymore, and some days ago he also installed the 1.11 firmware... he didn't imagine the problem was the firmware "upgrade".

if anyone knows any solution for this problem, would be greatly appreciated. Plextor did not release any new firmware that solves it...

I also tried the burner on other pcs, even tried to boot with a cd (to be sure it's not a windows problem), it doesn't work.

karnizero

*drpino* · 17-10-2005

welcome to the forums Jon_J, Kingston and karnizero...

i have FW 1.11 installed on my PX-708UF (external version) and just burned an audio CD from MP3s on one of my 2 machines. the disc wrote and reads just fine on that machine via FireWire...as do pressed Audio CDs...

i switched the drive over to USB2 connected to my other PC and everything works fine there too...

the 708UF is just a 708A in a Plextor external case so i don't think it's FW 1.11 at fault here...it could be the unfortunate case of your drives dying, bad/unapproved media or some other variable, but not FW 1.11...

KDigg · 22-12-2005

I'm having the EXACT same problem with my PX-708UF. That's how I found my way here. I've had my drive for a year and a half. Burned only 30 or 40 blank media of various formats. I haven't upgraded any firmware since I got it, although not sure what version mine shipped with.

I asked the support guy at Plextor if it was a common problem with this drive. He said no...but obviously there's a pattern here.

I've never had a writer last more than a year, though this is my first Plextor.

*drpino* · 22-12-2005

so what FW version are you running? did you flash to 1.11 yet? do you have Plextools installed? i noticed after flashing my 708UF to 1.11 that the Spindown Time in Plextools changed to the lowest value (from 2min) and that was causing some read-back issues with discs, but once i re-upped the Spindown Time everything functions perfectly fine...

ZonKnoZ · 28-02-2006

i have a px-708a with the 1.11 firmware and everything works perfect!

...yust retested all possible mediaformats:
pressed cd & dvd OK
burned cd, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD+R-DL OK
burned cd-rw 12x, cd-rw24x, ok
writing also works but i just burn dvd+r,cd-r and cd-rw24x with it
so the drive is 100% functional
all the above mentioned media were verbatim-brand...

12-10-2005	#1
Jon_J CD Freaks Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 79	708 self test ruins 2 DVD+Rs (won't read CDs) I've read here in the forum about the PX-708 DVD burner not being able to read or write CDs. Mine won't read pressed CDs either. I'ved tried my Windows install disc and Office disc. When it reads them, the light flashes yellow, (amber?) twice then stops, then repeats twice. When trying to access the drive in My Computer, I get In/Out Device error. I tried blank CDRs, it won't read them anymore either. It burns DVD+Rs with no problem in Nero. So I remove the disc and shut down computer, and run the self test exactly as the manual specifies. I tried a blank CDR, but that doesn't seem to work. I don't have any of the Plextor recommended CDRs. (I have used these CDRs when the CD function of the Plextor was working, with no problems - TDK [CMC Magnetics] ) I started the test over again with the computer switched off, and insterted a DVD+R (Fujifilm - YUDEN000T02). the light continously flashes from green to yellow, and the drive seems like it is busy. I wait awhile, but the drive never stops flashing or stops making spin noises. I cannot eject the disc, so I shut the computer off. I turn the computer back on while holding the eject button, and eject the disc. I now try another one, because I noticed the first disc looks like 1/2 of it had been recorded. (Darker area one halfway out from center.) I look closely at the second disc before I put it into the 708, and close the door. It was completely blank before I put it into the 708. The 708 runs, light flashing as above, from green to yellow, continously. I have to shut off computer, and then I Eject the disc as above. This disc is also ruined!! I return jumpers back to where they were, reconnect, IDE cable, and boot op my PC. I check these 2 DVD+R discs in Nero Burning Rom, and they only have 2,388MB available. Nero Info tool says Capacity: 0.00 GB The darned self test just Burned and Ruined 2 expensive DVD+Rs. They are expensive because I bought them quite some time ago when they cost a lot more then they do now. I still have an in-conclusive self test It didn't do what the manual said, and I waited a long time while it was burning my blank DVD+Rs, and it never stopped. Thank you for reading this, Jon Last edited by Jon_J; 12-10-2005 at 04:27.

12-10-2005	#2
DVD_ADDICT MyCE Resident Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: USA Posts: 2,372	Re: 708 self test ruins 2 DVD+Rs (won't read CDs) Sounds to me like your 708a drive is on it's way out.....try contacting plextor support if you have any warranty left on the drive.... __________________ Benq's 1620,1640,1650,1655 Pioneer 710@111L Pioneer 1810@112L Pioneer 115 Liteon LH-18A1P LG GSA-H62L Sata LG BD-ROM Pioneer Sata 212, 215, 216 Samsung S203B Sata

12-10-2005	#3
Jon_J CD Freaks Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 79	Re: 708 self test ruins 2 DVD+Rs (won't read CDs) Thank you for your reply DVD_ADDICT. I've had this drive since it first came out, was $299.99 then. No warrenty now. I haven't used it that much. I've only burned about 20 CDs with it since I've had it. (I have several CD burners) I've burned about 50-75 DVDs with it. If it's on it's way out, it's not because it's wore out because I haven't used it that much. Jon

12-10-2005	#4
Kingston CD Freaks Rookie Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 36	Re: 708 self test ruins 2 DVD+Rs (won't read CDs) Mine had the same problem. Worked fine for some time, but then I formatted a 24x Verbatim CD-RW media I got (very expensive pieces of poo) and afterwards it wouldn't read any cd's, pressed or burned. Not even blanks. But it did all of its DVD duties with aplomb. On some select media (notoriously the 4x Smart Buys, and the 2x DVD-R TDK) it used to get so-called hard errors, which cause the skipsyou experience. Other than that, it performed really well. I ended up selling it, and it made me very wary of Plextor afterwards. That said, I just got my 740A, and the thing rocks! No bad burns!! And I checked every one of them! Sorry if I hadn't been of much use, but our experiences are similar and I had to share them.

16-10-2005	#5
karnizero New on Forum Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 6	Re: 708 self test ruins 2 DVD+Rs (won't read CDs) I had same problem too... I think the latest firmware 1.11 is faulty. I just installed the 1.11 firmware and a few days later I noticed the cds couldn't be recognized (blanks, pressed of burned), but dvds worked as usual. It was just a month for the warranty to expire, so I just sent RMA to plextor and I got a new drive. It was working perfectly, detecting all dvds and cds . I updated the new drive with the latest firmware again, as I didn't relate the problem I had with the old drive with the latest firmware (just so strange to think about it), and then, after "upgrading" I tried to burn a cd and it didn't detect it... then I related the problem to the firmware , but it was too late... returning to any other previous firmware did not solve the problem, so I now have two 708a burners that cannot use cds... I told a friend of mine that also has a 708a I had this issue, and then he told me he had the same problem, he couldn't use cds anymore, and some days ago he also installed the 1.11 firmware... he didn't imagine the problem was the firmware "upgrade". if anyone knows any solution for this problem, would be greatly appreciated. Plextor did not release any new firmware that solves it... I also tried the burner on other pcs, even tried to boot with a cd (to be sure it's not a windows problem), it doesn't work. karnizero

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17-10-2005	#6
drpino CDFreaks Resident Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: nYc Posts: 4,916	Re: 708 self test ruins 2 DVD+Rs (won't read CDs) welcome to the forums Jon_J, Kingston and karnizero... i have FW 1.11 installed on my PX-708UF (external version) and just burned an audio CD from MP3s on one of my 2 machines. the disc wrote and reads just fine on that machine via FireWire...as do pressed Audio CDs... i switched the drive over to USB2 connected to my other PC and everything works fine there too... the 708UF is just a 708A in a Plextor external case so i don't think it's FW 1.11 at fault here...it could be the unfortunate case of your drives dying, bad/unapproved media or some other variable, but not FW 1.11... __________________ AMD A64 Clawhammer 3200+ / TT Venus 7+ / ASUS K8V Dlx / Corsair TwinX 4000PRO (2x512) WD360GD 236GB Raptor (RAID0) / WD800JB 80GB PATA / IBM Deskstar 25.4GB PATA ASUS R9800XT / VX900 19"CRT / Boston Acoustics BA7500 4.1 Plextor PX-716A / Plextor PX-Premium / Samsung SD-816B ROM / OCZ 520ADJ PowerStream / Kingwin KT424SWM AMD A64 Winchester 3200+ / Thermalright XP-90 / ASUS A8V Dlx r2 / OCZ PlatR2 (2x512) WD740GD 274GB Raptor (RAID0) / WD2500SD/JD 2250GB SATA / Seagate 2160GB PATA / Maxtor OneTouchII 300GB Ext (Firewire) ATI X800XL / Viewsonic VP201s 20.1"LCD / Creative SBAudigy2ZS Plat / Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 5.1 Plextor PX-716A / Plextor PX-708UF / BenQ 1640 / OCZ 520ADJ PowerStream / Lian-Li V1000B

22-12-2005	#7
KDigg New on Forum Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 4	Re: 708 self test ruins 2 DVD+Rs (won't read CDs) I'm having the EXACT same problem with my PX-708UF. That's how I found my way here. I've had my drive for a year and a half. Burned only 30 or 40 blank media of various formats. I haven't upgraded any firmware since I got it, although not sure what version mine shipped with. I asked the support guy at Plextor if it was a common problem with this drive. He said no...but obviously there's a pattern here. I've never had a writer last more than a year, though this is my first Plextor.

28-02-2006	#9
ZonKnoZ New on Forum Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Berlin/Germany Posts: 17	Re: 708 self test ruins 2 DVD+Rs (won't read CDs) i have a px-708a with the 1.11 firmware and everything works perfect! ...yust retested all possible mediaformats: pressed cd & dvd OK burned cd, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD+R-DL OK burned cd-rw 12x, cd-rw24x, ok writing also works but i just burn dvd+r,cd-r and cd-rw24x with it so the drive is 100% functional all the above mentioned media were verbatim-brand... Last edited by ZonKnoZ; 01-03-2006 at 00:14.

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