SONY DRU-190A (Lite-On 20A3P) Possibly $19.98 at Staples on BF

Use the Flash Utility.

The flash utility doesn't work with the .exe. Probably need to have the .bin. Anyone know where I can get the firmware as a .bin. Tried using the codeguys xflash still doesn't work.

What happens when you try to load the EXE through Flash Utility?

The flash utility indicates that it is looking for a .bin. By the way I've downloaded the latest version of these utilities from the codeguy's link.

bump

I had the Optiarc version (7190A) of this drive and used LtnFlash 2.5.52 to install a stock 20A3P exe. firmware first and then installed various test and patched 20A3P FWs.

Got it.
@scotton any anyone that bought the Sony drive at Staples.
Here's how to do it.
(1) Download the Flash Utility v2.2.2 from the codeguys web site.
(2) From the same site download the firmware for LiteOn DH-20A3P "20A3P.XP5Z.stock.exe"
(3) Make sure the drive is hooked up.
(4) Double click the Flash Utility. You will see the drive model displayed. There are two buttons. First the "read flash" button when selected will make a back up copy of the original firmware that came with the sony to your harddrive. By default the file name displayed for saving is 1.61. I just named it "DRU-190Av1.61". The flash utility will save it as a .bin file.
(5) Next is the "write flash" button. This button is to write the LiteOn firmware to the Sony drive. Point to the "20A3P.XP5Z.stock.exe" file that you downloaded and make sure you select "executable File (*.exe) under type.
(6) That's it. Oh I also selected "update Boot code". Some where on this forum if you do a search for "update Boot code" the codeguy indicated the by default the flash utility does it anyway, but he recommends to check "update boot code".
(7) In windows the drive is displayed as "ATAPI DH-20A3P XP5Z.

Hope this helps all that are interested in flashing their drives.
Good luck.

So has anyone burned movie dvds with this yet? I have successfully burned a few game images with it but it fails each time I've tried to burn movies with CloneDVD2 and Nero 8. I have only used on type of media so far (Philips DVD+R by CMC; I can't recall the speed and I'm not at home to give you more id for the media.) I have only had the drive for a couple of days, but I am going to try more media over the weekend. Anyone get positive results, and do you have media suggestions?

This drive has worked flawlessly for me after the crossflash. Most of my burns have been at 12x with +R verbs and TY TO2's so maybe its a media thing. I have also burned cd's and data dvd's without any issues as well.
budzos

THANKS I will try it soon and let you know if the cross flash went okay.

budzos,

what is the software and method that you've used? I just tried a Verbatim DVD+R 16x MCC004, which is said to be good in this forum. The old media I had used turned out to be CMC MAG01, which I've read is not good at all.

I tried to get CloneDVD2 to burn a movie at 6x with the MCC004 but no dice. I have done the crossflash. I would like to try exactly what you tried, including mods to the drive or software and your methods for shutting down programs before burning, etc.

thanks!

jgerds

Quick suggestion if you don't mind:

Check your device manager, hardware, IDE controllers, secondary IDE controller, properties, advanced properties, to see if Ultra DMA 4 is the current transfer mode for your DVD burner (the exact method of doing this varies depending on your operating system). The drive may have reverted to PIO mode - a fairly common problem - google something like "DMA reverts to PIO" for details. Uninstall the IDE (secondary?) channel and restart the PC to reinstall it, if it has reverted to PIO mode.

toobad,

thanks for the suggestion. I checked on that a while back:

Primary IDE Channel
Ultra DMA Mode 6

Secondary IDE Channel
Ultra DMA Mode 2

Wonder why only Ultra DMA Mode 2? Is that the controller that the cross-flashed DRU-190A is on?

I think that's the controller the dvd drive is on. I'm going to get some 80 wire IDE cables tomorrow. This drive is on a 40 and that might be a contributing factor.

And I thank you again for your responses.

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Last edited by jgerds; 05-01-2008 at 07:23. Reason: had to add

Before I cross-flashed it, I think that the secondary controller was set to Ultra DMA Mode 4, by the way.

You're welcome!

Yes, as I recall that'll (80 wire cable) up it to UDMA 4 but not sure if that's the cause of the problem, but still a good place to start.

Another thought would be to try a test burn with other software such as ImgBurn or Nero CD-DVD Speed using it's Create Disc to see if the problem is with the burner or with the software.

Good luck, maybe the new cable will solve the problem. Once you get it working, I think you'll like the drive. Mine's an Optiarc 7190A flashed to the 20A3P (should be basically the same thing as yours) and it's worked great on a variety of media.

I usually use ImgBurn for movie backups, Eac for music backups and Nero for
Data discs.
budzos

I located an 80 wire IDE cable in another pc in my house. Switched it out last night and was able to burn a movie with ImgBurn at 4x on MCC004. I am going to experiment with higher speeds, other software and other media, though I have read on this board that it's not worthwhile to attempt to burn a movie DVD any higher than 4x. I also ordered a Samsung SATA DVD drive (SH-S203B) so that should be fun to mess around with.

Thanks again for the help. The advice all over this forum has been priceless.



gerds