HP dvd writer 640b

internal -> lite-0n
external -> benQ

My 640c is internal and made by Benq.

yes you're right
http://www.cdfreaks.com/news2.php?ID=11248
benq->int
lite-on->ext
.

PCworld.com obviously got the LG version for their review:

The emergency eject hole is slightly to the right like the LG DVD drive pic you linked to.

Unfortunately, I can't see the LED because the casing blocks it.

So maybe this one is an LG drive. Strange that it can't read DVD-RAM then.

This is my first thread on this forum, I found this thread by performing a google search. I am also trying to find out what drive it is. Someone told me it is some sort of NEC drive but I doubt it. I got the PC where I work, $700 after discount. Takes less than 2minutes to take off the PC face. I'll actually be ditching the case and motherboard to a different type, there's no AGP in the HP motherboard...

Anyways here are the pictures, 56k killer, if you want me to make them hyperlinks instead, just let me know.

Looks like it an LG drive.

The GWA-4162B is an LG model number.

What company is: "HL-DT-ST" ?

I found it associated with that P/N GWA-4162B

You have an LG drive. The 640b is made by LG and the 640c (my drive) is made by Benq. LiteOn also makes a drive for the HP, I think it is the 640a. NEC hasnt gotten on the bandwagon yet to release a LightScribe drive.

Hitachi-LG Data Storage

@FutureX2001
can you make picture inside this writer?? (HP 640b)...chipset board and pickup...

I have one of these drives as well. So, it seems to be an LG drive. I would like to be albe to write with this drive in Disc-at-Once mode, but have been unable to so far with CDBurnerXP Pro 3, or the Sonic Record-Now software that came with it (junk). Does anyone have suggestions as to where to go from here? I'm running XP media center edition. I tried to download a demo version of Nero, but there doesn't seem to be one available.

You can download a trial version from Download.com:
http://www.download.com/Nero-6-Ultra...ml?tag=lst-0-1

Thanks, I downloaded that last night. I installed it and tried to run it. It asked for a serial number and I clicked on "demo". It told me my demo had expired. Something I don't know?

Ahhh. I think the demos are set to time-bomb on a certain date. That might be why there is no new one on the Nero site. They haven't built a new version that has a longer expiration date. You'll need to wait until they release their new version. They tend to release demo versions along with product updates.

Ya, thanks. I have tried other software: CDBurnerXP Pro 3, and CDRwin (www.goldenhawk.com). Both of these programs support DAO recording, but don't seem to think that the drive is equiped. I have tried installing both the adaptec and nero verions of the ASPI, with no change. HP has been totally useless so far. I wonder about installing drivers for something else in the 640 series (e.g. 640i). I could save a restore point before loading the new drivers. Anyone out there have tips or suggestions for me?

Just to close the loop, I never got anywhere with HP, but they released a new trial version of Nero and it works like a champ. Solves my problem for Disc-At-Once. I still wonder about the lack of support for this drive. I will bug HP for info and see what I get.

Try emaiing Kerwyn Ballinger hes the product engineer for the 640i .

kerwyn.ballinger (at) hp.com .

Just an update my drive died and I got another one (manager let me swap)where it used to say E152 it now says E193 as firmware now.

Just to end the dispute, It's actually and LG OEM version made for HP. The Write speed is 16x MAX, Dual-layer is 4x. Now I'm hoping you can help me out. My Drive is no longer recognizing Dual LAyer disks from anybody. Doesn't matter what disk I use, it won't work. Tried removing the disk and reinserting. Same as the drive, pulled and reinserted. nada.... Trying figure this out. HELP!!!!!!!

FutureX2001 : I have the exact same computer you do. The dvd drive conked out on me after a year. It started not acting like there was not a dvd in there. It used to play my anime dvds perfectly. Then it started to not work : I put the dvd in, and it never acted like there was one in there. I am going to replace the lousy stupid thing. This really upsets me since I just bought the 'Figure 17 Collection', and now it won't acknowledge that disc 3 exists. I only need a dvd drive that can read anime dvds. I don't need it to do anything else. I back up all my data on Maxtor External harddrives. Can you tell me of a good, but cheap, dvd-rom drive I can replace this with? One that will work on this computer. One that will fit in the thing.

P.S. The a820n is a piece of junk. I only bought it because Office Depot had it on real cheap, and it had a 4GB memory upgrade possible. I've got up to 3GB, yay me. It keeps shutting down at times though. It doesn't have a serial connection in back, and it doesn't have a floppy drive either. *Sigh* Which means I can't do anything with my playstation dex drive. I would buy another computer, except my parents made it quite clear that I must wait 5 years after buying this one before I can buy another.

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Last edited by Neko Hibiki; 05-09-2006 at 22:46.

As long as this thread is on this Hp, I'll ask my question here. EXACTLY where is the Emergency hole to open the DVD drive door on my HPa820n? On on occasion it will not open, after 3 or 4 trys it does, but I would like to know where to put the paperclip if it should really get stuck.
According to the HP book for this computer(good going HP-----RETARDS) it says in Troubleshooting: If the dvd drive door does not open. Cause: your computer is OFF.----Really stupid!
Trust me, mine is on. Theres supposed to be a small hole somewhere, but I have taken a flashlight and looked..and I don't see it. Any ideas? thanks~