HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GWA-4082N [Not burning]

The dvd burner I got my my Compaq R4000 is giving problems after just over 1 yr (the warranty expired about 2 months ago). These are the specs of it:

Drive : HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GWA-4082N
Type : DVD±R/RW DL Recorder
Firmware Version : CC15
Buffer Size : 2 MB
Date : ?
Serial Number : 01B7A289DD4E
Read Speed : 24 , 20 , 16 , 10 X
Write Speed : 24 , 16 , 10 , 4 X

9/10 times when I try to burn a cd or dvd it fails with Nero giving 'Target Hardware failure'. It does this at any time duing the burning, sometime leadin, the 'body' or leadout.

The drive itself also ejects for itself sometimes and does not eject when I want it to unless I press the eject button repeatedly. It does eject when I right click on my computer (usually).

Sometimes when I have a dvd in the drive and I am not using it, the drive spins up trying to read from the drive (this happens when I am not online to, so no Trojan).

HP support wasn't helping. They just gave me a part no. so I could buy a replacement, so much for troubleshooting.

The drive can read a cd/dvd though (after alot of spinning up), so I guess it could be worst. I didn't get a cd cleaner as yet to try and clean the lens.

Any suggestions on what the cause might be?


I tried running the HP Diagnositics that they told me to and got this:

*************** Launching Tests ***************
Network Controller16: Ping Test passed
Frames Received Without Errors: 23962
Frames Transmitted Without Errors: 12613
Processor 1: Numeric Coprocessor Test passed
USB Controller (2.0) 1: Root Hub Detect Test passed
Processor 1: General Purpose Register Test passed
Refresh Timer, Refresh Timer Test: Starting test
Refresh Timer: Refresh Timer Test passed
USB Controller2: Root Hub Detect Test passed
USB Controller3: Root Hub Detect Test passed
Network Controller1: IRQ Test passed
Network Controller2: IRQ Test passed
DVD-RW1: Test Unit Ready passed
Network Controller3: IRQ Test passed
Network Controller4: IRQ Test passed
Network Controller7: IRQ Test passed
Network Controller8: IRQ Test passed
Network Controller11: IRQ Test passed
Modem1: ROM/Checksum Test passed
Network Controller12: IRQ Test passed
Network Controller13: IRQ Test passed
Network Controller14: IRQ Test passed
Network Controller15: ROM Test passed
Network Controller16: ROM Test passed
Network Controller15: IRQ Test passed
Network Controller16: IRQ Test passed
Firewire Adapter1: Host Adapter Test passed
Error:
CDROM1: Sequential Read Test:test failed, error code: 066003057
No Media Is Present
Time of Error: 5:31PM 3/31/2007
Diagnostics for Windows 4.12 A
Recommended Action:
Verify that media is present in the drive.

DVD-RW1: Sequential Read Test passed
Error:
CDROM1: Random Read Test:test failed, error code: 066004057
No Media Is Present
Time of Error: 5:31PM 3/31/2007
Diagnostics for Windows 4.12 A
Recommended Action:
Verify that media is present in the drive.

DVD-RW1: Random Read Test passed
Hard Drive 1: Ultra-DMA Speed Test passed
Hard Drive 1: Sequential Verify Test passed
Hard Drive 1: Sequential Seek Test passed
Hard Drive 1: Sequential Seek Test is 100% complete
Hard Drive 1: Sequential Seek Test passed
Hard Drive 1: Random Seek Test passed
Hard Drive 1: Random Seek Test is 100% complete
Hard Drive 1: Random Seek Test passed
Hard Drive 1: Sequential Read Test passed
Hard Drive 1: Random Read Test passed
Total Memory, Noise Test: Use Generic Memory Model
Total Memory, Noise Test: Use Generic Cache Model
Total Memory, Noise Test: Pass 1 of 4
Total Memory, Noise Test: Please wait, determining memory ...
Total Memory, Noise Test: Total physical memory tested 640796KB
Total Memory, Noise Test: Lowest physical address 7284KB
Total Memory, Noise Test: Highest physical address 521952KB
Total Memory, Noise Test: Smallest physical address size 4KB
Total Memory, Noise Test: Biggest physical address size 73788KB
Total Memory, Noise Test:
Total Memory, Noise Test: Pass 2 of 4
Total Memory, Noise Test: Please wait, determining memory ...
Total Memory, Noise Test: Total physical memory tested 650596KB
Total Memory, Noise Test: Lowest physical address 8076KB
Total Memory, Noise Test: Highest physical address 522612KB
Total Memory, Noise Test: Smallest physical address size 4KB
Total Memory, Noise Test: Biggest physical address size 73788KB
Total Memory, Noise Test:
Total Memory, Noise Test: Pass 3 of 4
Total Memory, Noise Test: Please wait, determining memory ...
Total Memory, Noise Test: Total physical memory tested 648200KB
Total Memory, Noise Test: Lowest physical address 4388KB
Total Memory, Noise Test: Highest physical address 521908KB
Total Memory, Noise Test: Smallest physical address size 4KB
Total Memory, Noise Test: Biggest physical address size 73788KB
Total Memory, Noise Test:
Total Memory, Noise Test: Pass 4 of 4
Total Memory, Noise Test: Please wait, determining memory ...
Total Memory, Noise Test: Total physical memory tested 579000KB
Total Memory, Noise Test: Lowest physical address 4224KB
Total Memory, Noise Test: Highest physical address 521644KB
Total Memory, Noise Test: Smallest physical address size 4KB
Total Memory, Noise Test: Biggest physical address size 58268KB
Total Memory, Noise Test:
Total Memory: Noise Test passed
Total test time is 0:32:57

*************** Testing Complete ***************

There is a CD in the drive cause I could access it before and after the test. Neor info tool could also access the CD and determin its type, name, size, etc...

I would say this writer is almost dead, better buy a new one, it´s cheaper and u waste not ur time with coasters

Would external USB burners be just as good? I was looking around and find that the internal (laptop) burners are more expensive and have slower speeds that the external ones.

Does anyone know about this drive:

Fantom Premier / 16x DVD±R Burn & Read / 4x DVD±RW / 4x DVD+R DL / 48x24x CD-R/RW / Software / External USB 2.0 DVD Burner

Price: $69.99


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...Tab=2&NoMapp=0

It depends on the used mainboard and external case. With most external drives is 12x possible, 16x or 18x could cause speed problems

The drive looks like an older NEC-drive, maybe it´s not to bad, but u should look for newer ones

Is this a good drive? NEC AD7170A-0B 18X Dual Layer DVD-RW Burner
I was plannng on getting that and buying a 5.5 enclosure to use with the laptop.

or Pioneer DVR-112 16x/8x Double LayerDVD-RW Wh/Blk?