Erase firmware??

CaliDave01 · 30-06-2006

Is it possible to completely erase the firmware on a drive?

**Liggy** · 30-06-2006

If you want to break a drive... On several devices this should be possible.

CaliDave01 · 30-06-2006

I don't know if NEC would work with this one. I am trying to wipe a Dell DVDRW and start over.

**Liggy** · 30-06-2006

Dell doesn't build their own drives I think, so you need to know who manufactured it. On NEC it would be possible.
But I still wonder why you want to erase a firmware.

CaliDave01 · 30-06-2006

Sorry. Its Hitachi/LG OEM for Dell.

*pejakm* · 30-06-2006

CaliDave01, please tell us what you have on mind. Deleting firmware can be fatal to your drive. Are you trying to crossflash your drive?

CaliDave01 · 30-06-2006

I updated my firmware a month ago and it hasn't functions right since. I've tried all other known releases of the firmware including other oems and I've crossflashed to several other types of drives and back again. It reads DVDs but not CDs. I am interested in trying a full erase before flashing it back to normal.

**mciahel** · 30-06-2006

Hi,

if the drive reads DVD, but no CDs, then it is probably damaged or your operating is messed up. No firmware can cure this.
Try the drive in another computer. If it doesn't work there, either, then go and buy a new one.

Michael

CaliDave01 · 30-06-2006

So you're telling me its broken... That's not a real solution, thats surrender. It has only been used bout twice to burn DVDs. It doesn't just die because I upgraded the firmware. It might appear dead, but if you don't have real answers besides give up and part with my money, then just pass this thread by and go help somebody who wants to listen. This has happened with other drives before and they have worked again. I've heard of a few other ways to fix drives that have that problem. For example: On the PS2, the drive has been known to stop reading CDs yet still reads DVDs. The solution there was to actually open up the system and realign the laser. I am a certified and well practiced tech, if I have to physically remove and replace the firmware chip itself with my teeth, I sware to god I'll do it.
If defeat is all anyone has to offer, then don't offer.
For now, I want to erase the firmware or find another way.

**Liggy** · 30-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliDave01

I am a certified and well practiced tech, if I have to physically remove and replace the firmware chip itself with my teeth, I sware to god I'll do it.

If you really were, you should know that erasing data on a flash chip and afterwards writing back the same data again won't help with your problem.

*qwakrz* · 30-06-2006

If the CD laser has failed then no matter how much firmware you flash to the drive it will never work with CD's. Problems with drives (including failed lasers etc) can happen at any time, even withing 20 seconds of applying power.

The fact that you are flashing firmware left, right and centre does not help. Basic fault finding is needed to find the problem.

Suggest you do the following.

1) Flash back to the correct firmware, even the newest will be fine. Don't use a cross flash as this will confuse the problem you have.
2) Restart the PC and check to see if its working.
3) If it is not working then remove the drive and try it on a different PC. If this works then you have a software problem with your main PC. If it is still not working then you have a drive problem.

If the drive is under wnty then get it swapped out for a new one. If the drive is out of wnty then unless you know exactly what you are doing and have the service manual and a supply of spare parts (some of which will cost more than a new drive) I would bite the bullet and buy a new drive.

Most people on here will not be able to assist with messing around inside the drive, most adjustments that are needed will have to be done with a test disc and expensive test equipment to calibrate them correctly.

Erasing the firmware on the drive will kill it stone dead. Going to the extream of removing the flash chip will proably kill it quicker then trying to find a way to wipe the firmware.

*_chef_* · 30-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliDave01

I don't know if NEC would work with this one. I am trying to wipe a Dell DVDRW and start over.

Ready to get an doorstop???

**mciahel** · 30-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by _chef_

Ready to get an doorstop???

Or a cupholder

CaliDave01 · 01-07-2006

Well if its already broke, whats the big huss n fuss bout it? Besides, either I have a doorstop already, or I do some super insane and nutty wacko job like no other...
...and still have a doorstop.
The world keeps spinnin'.

*KTL* · 01-07-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliDave01

...but if you don't have real answers besides give up and part with my money, then just pass this thread by and go help somebody who wants to listen...I am a certified and well practiced tech...

There's no reason to be arrogant about your skills. Heck, I can remove a TSSOP or BGA package if I had the right tools, but I don't come here asking for advice and flame people off if it's something I don't want to hear.

Even if you remove the 48-pin TSSOP flash chip and reprogram it with something like a DATA I/O device, there's still no guarantee that the burns will improve because it could be the optics, mechanics, etc. that could be causing the fluctuations in the burns.

You didn't state if it's still under warranty, and if it is, just exchange for another one.

*pinto2* · 01-07-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliDave01

...It reads DVDs but not CDs...

Have you tried to boot/install from a windoze installation CD in pure DOS?

Maybe there is an application (running in windoze) "preventing" you to read/write CD's.

But then, why not just do a warranty replacement. (Edit, I see KTL suggested the same.)

As for "erase" firmware eeprom, I'll just say; no comments.

CaliDave01 · 01-07-2006

Quote:

There's no reason to be arrogant about your skills. Heck, I can remove a TSSOP or BGA package if I had the right tools, but I don't come here asking for advice and flame people off if it's something I don't want to hear.

Some people have real answers. Others like to hear themselves type.

http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread....05#post1476105

**Liggy** · 01-07-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliDave01

Some people have real answers. Others like to hear themselves type.

And others don't accept the truth as an answer, but wait for people making the impossible true.

*KTL* · 01-07-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliDave01

Some people have real answers. Others like to hear themselves type.

Ouch, you really hurt my feelings there. Dell...figured...

A_Little_Kid · 03-05-2007

Hey CaliDave01, don't listen to those guys who can not give you the "answer".

I work at Harvey Normans in Sunshine. come in anytime and for $25 I'll show you how it's done.

I had many success stories before.

ValHall64 · 03-05-2007

For $25 I would rather buy a new drive.

*_chef_* · 04-05-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValHall64

For $25 I would rather buy a new drive.

Exactly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_Little_Kid

Hey CaliDave01, don't listen to those guys who can not give you the "answer".

I work at Harvey Normans in Sunshine. come in anytime and for $25 I'll show you how it's done.

I had many success stories before.

What attitude is that??

30-06-2006	#1
CaliDave01 CD Freaks Rookie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 36	Erase firmware?? Is it possible to completely erase the firmware on a drive?

30-06-2006	#2
Liggy Senior Administrator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Monkey Island Posts: 8,244	Re: Erase firmware?? If you want to break a drive... On several devices this should be possible. __________________ You need to flash or dump your NEC DVD burner firmwares on your Mac, Windows, DOS or Linux machine? Just try Binflash. Visit Liggy's and Dee's Optiarc and NEC firmware and tools page for all kind of information about NEC and Optiarc drives. Unrequested PM about drive problems will not be answered!

30-06-2006	#3
CaliDave01 CD Freaks Rookie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 36	Re: Erase firmware?? I don't know if NEC would work with this one. I am trying to wipe a Dell DVDRW and start over.

30-06-2006	#4
Liggy Senior Administrator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Monkey Island Posts: 8,244	Re: Erase firmware?? Dell doesn't build their own drives I think, so you need to know who manufactured it. On NEC it would be possible. But I still wonder why you want to erase a firmware. __________________ You need to flash or dump your NEC DVD burner firmwares on your Mac, Windows, DOS or Linux machine? Just try Binflash. Visit Liggy's and Dee's Optiarc and NEC firmware and tools page for all kind of information about NEC and Optiarc drives. Unrequested PM about drive problems will not be answered!

30-06-2006	#5
CaliDave01 CD Freaks Rookie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 36	Re: Erase firmware?? Sorry. Its Hitachi/LG OEM for Dell.

Today
Adbot Always the best offers Join Date: Today Location: Myce HQ Posts: Zillions

30-06-2006	#6
pejakm MyCE Resident Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 513	Re: Erase firmware?? CaliDave01, please tell us what you have on mind. Deleting firmware can be fatal to your drive. Are you trying to crossflash your drive? __________________ --------------------------------------------------------- LG GSA - 4165B@4167B DJ13 BenQ DW 1655 BCIB --------------------------------------------------------- LG CD-RW GCE-8526B 1.05 dead LG DVD-ROM GDR-8163B 0L23 sold, and now dead --------------------------------------------------------- my modest config Power is nothing without control.

30-06-2006	#7
CaliDave01 CD Freaks Rookie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 36	Re: Erase firmware?? I updated my firmware a month ago and it hasn't functions right since. I've tried all other known releases of the firmware including other oems and I've crossflashed to several other types of drives and back again. It reads DVDs but not CDs. I am interested in trying a full erase before flashing it back to normal.

30-06-2006	#8
mciahel Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 17,050	Re: Erase firmware?? Hi, if the drive reads DVD, but no CDs, then it is probably damaged or your operating is messed up. No firmware can cure this. Try the drive in another computer. If it doesn't work there, either, then go and buy a new one. Michael __________________ Mini-FAQ for Samsung DVD writers * HOWTO Flash Firmware of a Samsung (TSST) DVD writer How to attach disc quality scans

30-06-2006	#9
CaliDave01 CD Freaks Rookie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 36	Re: Erase firmware?? So you're telling me its broken... That's not a real solution, thats surrender. It has only been used bout twice to burn DVDs. It doesn't just die because I upgraded the firmware. It might appear dead, but if you don't have real answers besides give up and part with my money, then just pass this thread by and go help somebody who wants to listen. This has happened with other drives before and they have worked again. I've heard of a few other ways to fix drives that have that problem. For example: On the PS2, the drive has been known to stop reading CDs yet still reads DVDs. The solution there was to actually open up the system and realign the laser. I am a certified and well practiced tech, if I have to physically remove and replace the firmware chip itself with my teeth, I sware to god I'll do it. If defeat is all anyone has to offer, then don't offer. For now, I want to erase the firmware or find another way.

30-06-2006	#11
qwakrz CDFreaks Resident Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Plymouth, UK Posts: 925	Re: Erase firmware?? If the CD laser has failed then no matter how much firmware you flash to the drive it will never work with CD's. Problems with drives (including failed lasers etc) can happen at any time, even withing 20 seconds of applying power. The fact that you are flashing firmware left, right and centre does not help. Basic fault finding is needed to find the problem. Suggest you do the following. 1) Flash back to the correct firmware, even the newest will be fine. Don't use a cross flash as this will confuse the problem you have. 2) Restart the PC and check to see if its working. 3) If it is not working then remove the drive and try it on a different PC. If this works then you have a software problem with your main PC. If it is still not working then you have a drive problem. If the drive is under wnty then get it swapped out for a new one. If the drive is out of wnty then unless you know exactly what you are doing and have the service manual and a supply of spare parts (some of which will cost more than a new drive) I would bite the bullet and buy a new drive. Most people on here will not be able to assist with messing around inside the drive, most adjustments that are needed will have to be done with a test disc and expensive test equipment to calibrate them correctly. Erasing the firmware on the drive will kill it stone dead. Going to the extream of removing the flash chip will proably kill it quicker then trying to find a way to wipe the firmware. __________________ Current Setup Corsair 750W Core 2 Quad Q6700 @ 3.33GHz (333x10) Swiftech H20 Ultra+ Watercooling CoolerMaster Tsunami Dream Case 6GB PC6400 DDR2 RAM @ 4-4-4-15 800MHz (2x2 + 2x1) Asus P5K Deluxe 8800GTS @ 800/2000/1000 + Water block 19" BenQ 4:3 TFT 19" Hannson 16:9 TFT BenQ 1655 Lite-on 20A1S LG BD-R/HDDVD Samsung 750GB x 3 Raid 5 Logitech G15 Keyboard iPhone 3G 16GB Archos 560 Please dont PM me directly with your problems..... Thats what these forums are for.

01-07-2006	#14
CaliDave01 CD Freaks Rookie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 36	Re: Erase firmware?? Well if its already broke, whats the big huss n fuss bout it? Besides, either I have a doorstop already, or I do some super insane and nutty wacko job like no other... ...and still have a doorstop. The world keeps spinnin'.

03-05-2007	#20
A_Little_Kid New on Forum Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3	Re: Erase firmware?? Hey CaliDave01, don't listen to those guys who can not give you the "answer". I work at Harvey Normans in Sunshine. come in anytime and for $25 I'll show you how it's done. I had many success stories before.

03-05-2007	#21
ValHall64 CD Freaks Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 89	Re: Erase firmware?? For $25 I would rather buy a new drive.

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