Burn process always gets focus or tracking error

CD, DVD and (Ultra HD) Blu-ray Writers LG burner
#1

Windows XP 5.1
IA32
WinAspi: File ‘Wnaspi32.dll’: Ver=?.?.?.?, size=30208 bytes, created 11/06/1997 7:01:02 PM
ahead WinASPI: File ‘C:\Program Files\Ahead
ero\Wnaspi32.dll’: Ver=2.0.1.59, size=160016 bytes, created 16/12/2003 8:18:06 PM
Nero version: 6.3.1.17
Recorder: <HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4081B>Version: A104 - HA 0 TA 1 - 6.3.1.17
Adapter driver: <atapi> HA 0
Drive buffer : 2048kB
Bus Type : default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ATAPI
CD-ROM: <PIONEER DVD-ROM DVD-115 >Version: 1.11 - HA 1 TA 1 - 6.3.1.17
Adapter driver: <atapi> HA 1

=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral : Maxtor 6Y080L0 atapi Port 0 ID 0 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4081B atapi Port 0 ID 1 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8520B atapi Port 1 ID 0 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : PIONEER DVD-ROM DVD-115 atapi Port 1 ID 1 DMA: On

=== CDRom-Device-Map ===
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4081 D: CDRom4
HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8520B E: CDRom1
PIONEER DVD-ROM DVD-115 F: CDRom2

AutoRun : 1
Excluded drive IDs:
WriteBufferSize: 57671680 (0) Byte
ShowDrvBufStat : 0
BUFE : 0
Physical memory : 383MB (392688kB)
Free physical memory: 151MB (155296kB)
Memory in use : 60 %
Uncached PFiles: 0x0
Use Static Write Speed Table: 0
Use Inquiry : 1
Global Bus Type: default (0)
Check supported media : Disabled (0)

30.7.2004
ISO compilation
11:56:02 AM #1 Text 0 File Isodoc.cpp, Line 6065
Iso document burn settings
------------------------------------------
Determine maximum speed : FALSE
Simulate : FALSE
Write : TRUE
Finalize CD : TRUE
Multisession : FALSE
Burning mode : DAO
Mode : 1
ISO Level : 1 (Max. of 11 = 8 + 3 char)
Character set : ISO 9660
Joliet : TRUE
Allow pathdepth more than 8 directories : TRUE
Allow more than 255 characters in path : TRUE
Write ISO9660 ;1 file extensions : TRUE

11:56:02 AM #2 Text 0 File Reader.cpp, Line 118
Reader running

11:56:02 AM #3 Text 0 File Writer.cpp, Line 124
Writer HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4081B running

11:56:02 AM #4 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 3899
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

11:56:02 AM #5 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3172
Turn on Disc-at-once, using DVD media

11:56:03 AM #6 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 245
Last possible write address on media: 2298495 (510:46.45, 4489MB)
Last address to be written: 2150591 (477:54.41, 4200MB)

11:56:03 AM #7 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 257
Write in overburning mode: NO (enabled: CD)

11:56:03 AM #8 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 2137
Recorder: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4081B, Media type: DVD-RW
Disc Manufacturer: Prodis - cDVDRW
Disc Application Code: 64, Disc Physical Code: 214

11:56:03 AM #9 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 418
>>> Protocol of DlgWaitCD activities: <<<
=========================================

11:56:03 AM #10 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 813
Setup items (after recorder preparation)
0: TRM_DATA_MODE1 (CTransferItem)
2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
original disc pos #0 + 2150592 (2150592) = #2150592/477:54.42
relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/required, no patch infos
-> TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 2150592 blocks [HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4081B]
--------------------------------------------------------------

11:56:03 AM #11 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 984
Prepare recorder [HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4081B] for write in CUE-sheet-DAO
DAO infos:
==========
MCN: “”
TOCType: 0x00; Session Closed, disc fixated
Tracks 1 to 1:
1: TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048/0x00, FilePos 0 0 4404412416, ISRC “”
DAO layout:
===========
_Start|___Track|Idx|RecDep|CtrlAdr
0 | lead-in | 0 | 0x00 | 0x41
0 | 1 | 0 | 0x00 | 0x41
0 | 1 | 1 | 0x00 | 0x41
2150592 | lead-out | 1 | 0x00 | 0x41

11:56:04 AM #12 Phase 24 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1845
Caching of files started

11:56:04 AM #13 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 4182
Cache writing successful.

11:56:04 AM #14 Phase 25 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1845
Caching of files completed

11:56:04 AM #15 Phase 36 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1845
Burn process started at 1x (1,385 KB/s)

11:56:04 AM #16 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2344
Verifying disc position of item 0 (relocatable, disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #0

11:56:04 AM #17 Text 0 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1703
Set remaining time: 53:10,397 (3190397ms) -> OK

11:56:04 AM #18 Text 0 File DVDR.cpp, Line 1879
Recording mode: Sequential Recording Mode

11:56:04 AM #19 Text 0 File Mmc.cpp, Line 20401
Set BUFE: supported -> ON

11:56:04 AM #20 Text 0 File DVDR.cpp, Line 2020
Start write address at LBA 0
DVD high compatibility mode: Yes

11:56:04 AM #21 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 8128
---- DVD Structure: Physical Format Information (00h) ----
Layer: 0, Address: 0 (0 h), AGID: 0; Length: 2050
Book Type: DVD-RW (3), Part Version: 2
Disc Size: 120 mm, Maximum Rate: <not specified> (F h)
Number of Layers: 1, Track Path: Parallel Track Path (PTP), Layer Type: recordable
Linear Density: 0,267 um/bit, Track Density: 0,74 um/track
Starting Physical Sector Number of Data Area: 30000 h (DVD-ROM, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW)
End Physical Sector Number of Data Area: 261270 h
End Sector Number in Layer 0: 0 h
Data in Burst Cutting Area (BCA) does not exist
Start sector number of the current Border-Out: 2FE1000 h
Start sector number of the next Border-In: 2FFA000 h
Media Specific [16…63]:
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 …
02 FE 10 00 02 FF A0 00 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 …
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 …

11:56:17 AM #22 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1294
11:56:17.475 - HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4081B\H0 T1 : Queue again later

12:18:17 PM #23 SCSI -1039 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1442
SCSI Exec, HA 0, TA 1, LUN 0, buffer 0x035E0000
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x04 (KEY_HARDWARE_ERROR)
Sense Code: 0x09
Sense Qual: 0x01
CDB Data: 0x2A 0x00 0x00 0x0C 0xC1 0x20 0x00 0x00 0x20 0x00 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0x71 0x00 0x04 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x10
0x32 0x34 0x04 0x0D 0x09 0x01

12:18:17 PM #24 CDR -1039 File Writer.cpp, Line 304
Focus or tracking error

12:18:17 PM #25 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 229
all writers idle, stopping conversion

12:18:18 PM #26 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 223
conversion idle, stopping reader

12:18:18 PM #27 Text 0 File DVDR.cpp, Line 2256
EndDAO: Last written address was 835871

12:18:19 PM #28 Text 0 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1703
Set remaining time: 0:00,000 (0ms) -> OK

12:18:19 PM #29 Text 0 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1703
Set remaining time: 0:00,000 (0ms) -> OK

12:18:19 PM #30 Phase 38 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1845
Burn process failed at 1x (1,385 KB/s)

Existing drivers:
File ‘Drivers\PXHELP20.SYS’: Ver=2.02.53a, size=17136 bytes, created 27/07/2004 11:23:45 PM (Prassi/Veritas driver for win 2K)
File ‘Drivers\atapi.sys’: Ver=5.1.2600.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920), size=86912 bytes, created 29/08/2002 1:27:50 AM (Adapter driver for rec)

Registry Keys:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\AllocateCDROMs : 0 (Security Option)

I am using nero burning rom. I have a 900mhz 384mb sdram, 80gb computer running windows xp pro. The dvd burner I am using is the LG GSA-4081B Super Multi DVD Rewriter. When i burn dvd-rw that have more then 3 gigs of data in them i get a focus or tracking error right away before the burn starts or half way through the process. What can I do? I have also tried alcohol 120% and dvd decryptor

#2

I have too same problem.
When i burn with NERO 6-3-1-15 i get this notice : “focus or tracking error”
and CloneCD 4202 abortet with notice “tracking servo failure”.

Do you know any solution?

#3

Is your dvd writer on the same ide channel as your harddrive? try changing it to the second or on a separate channel. also make sure you are using 80pin ide cable rather than the 40pin, i was using the 40pin and i got communication errors.

#4

2 racecar

Primary Master - HD WesternDigital 120GB
Primary Slave - HD WesternDigital 30GB

Secondary Master - LG GSA-4081B
Secondary Slave - Sony DDU 1621

On both chanel 80pin ide cables…

#5

We’ve got a new Nero man (Ahead probe) here in the forum - maybe he knows something :cool:

#6

is new Nero out?

#7

Hi,
I have the same problem with (two of) the GSA-4120B, see:

http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=103364

I have problems with Verbatims 4x DVD+R
No Problems with: Panasonic DVD-RAM, Verbatim 2.4x DVD+R and Princo :eek: 1 x DVD-R

I will buy some more brands to check, if the problem is brand dependent.

Good luck!

#8

Hi all

I get up old firmware A101 /replaced new A104 with A101/ , now my LG-GSA_4081B working correct :o

#9

Hi! I’m a newbie - but was directed to your site from a post in another forum. I am now getting the exact same error - I know it’s a long message but please read through and I would really appreciate any feedback I can get!

My biggest question lies in the fact that I have already burned about 20 DVDs no problem. All of a sudden, now I am getting the focus or tracking error EVERY time.

The first time I came upon an error was when I was creating my 21st DVD. I got an error message and the burn stopped at about 95%. So what I did was, reloaded files and then burned again. This time the burn was successful.

However, since then - I can NO LONGER burn! Each burn stops at about 90-95% and gives me the exact same error. I’ve made about 5 coasters so far. I’ve tried re-encoding the files from the previous outputted files and then burning through both Nero on its own as well as through a plug-in.

When I posted in another thread, I was advised to stop using cheap media and to make sure all my processes were stopped. I have absolutely no programs running and I went back to Sony DVDs. I shut down all start up programs, anti-viruses, etc., and I don’t have Roxio or conflicting programs even installed.

Here are details:
Windows XP Home
384MB RAM
P4 - 1.6 GHz
LG External Burner 8X GSA-4081B (DVD±R, DVD±RW, DVD-RAM) - USB 2.0
Sony DVD+R 4x (I burn at 4X speed). I originally burned my earlier successful DVDs with Maxells DVD+R 4x, but my last errors I got on the Maxells as well.

I am using a Dell Inspiron Laptop. I have an external Maxtor 160GB drive and the LG drive connected to a USB 2.0 Notebook card that fits in in the Cardbus slot on top of a wireless card.

Someone please help! I just don’t understand why after so many successful burns I’m suddenly getting errors every single time. It just seems like some part of my setup (or maybe the burner?) doesn’t want to work anymore after burning successfully for some time now.

I’ll have my detailed error file follow as this message is pretty long already!

Really want to get back to burning so any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks so much.

#10

Here is my error file - it looks pretty similar to the earlier posts:

1a20-0100-0000-1670-8075-8762

Windows XP 5.1
IA32
WinAspi: -
ahead WinASPI: File ‘C:\Program Files\Ahead\Nero\Wnaspi32.dll’: Ver=2.0.1.59, size=160016 bytes, created 12/16/2003 8:18:06 PM
Nero API version: 6.3.1.12
Using interface version: 6.3.1.4
Installed in: C:\Program Files\Ahead\Nero
Application: ahead\Nero - Burning Rom
Recorder: <HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4081B>Version: A100 - HA 2 TA 0 - 6.3.1.12
Adapter driver: <> HA 2
Drive buffer : 2048kB
Bus Type : default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ?

=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral : IC25N020ATCS04-0 atapi Port 0 ID 0 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : TOSHIBA DVD-ROM SD-R2002 atapi Port 1 ID 0 DMA: Off

=== CDRom-Device-Map ===
TOSHIBA DVD-ROM SD-R2002 D: CDRom0
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4081 F: CDRom1

AutoRun : 1
Excluded drive IDs:
CmdQueuing : 1
CmdNotification: 2
WriteBufferSize: 57671680 (0) Byte
ShowDrvBufStat : 0
EraseSpeed : 0
BUFE : 0
Physical memory : 383MB (392632kB)
Free physical memory: 117MB (120556kB)
Memory in use : 69 %
Uncached PFiles: 0x0
Use Static Write Speed Table: 0
Use Inquiry : 1
Global Bus Type: default (0)
Check supported media : Disabled (0)

24.8.2004
NeroAPI
8:51:10 PM #1 Phase 112 File APIProgress.cpp, Line 273
DVD-Video files reallocation started

8:51:10 PM #2 Phase 114 File APIProgress.cpp, Line 273
DVD-Video files reallocation completed (no file modified)

8:51:10 PM #3 Phase 111 File APIProgress.cpp, Line 273
DVD-Video files sorted

8:51:11 PM #4 Text 0 File Reader.cpp, Line 118
Reader running

8:51:11 PM #5 Text 0 File Writer.cpp, Line 124
Writer HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4081B running

8:51:11 PM #6 Text 0 File AudioCompilationImpl.cpp, Line 817
DRM: StartDrmRecording(RealRec:1, ImageRec:0, Copies:1)
DRM: Beginning burn process.

8:51:11 PM #7 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 3899
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

8:51:11 PM #8 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 3899
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

8:51:11 PM #9 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3167
Turn on Disc-At-Once, using DVD media

8:59:16 PM #10 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 245
Last possible write address on media: 2295103 (510:01.28, 4482MB)
Last address to be written: 2246719 (499:16.19, 4388MB)

8:59:16 PM #11 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 257
Write in overburning mode: NO

8:59:16 PM #12 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 2137
Recorder: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4081B, Media type: DVD+R
Disc Manufacturer ID: RICOHJPN, Media Type ID: R01, Product revision number: 2
Disc Application Code: 0, Extended Information Indicators: 1

8:59:16 PM #13 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 418
>>> Protocol of DlgWaitCD activities: <<<
=========================================
Insert empty disc to write to.
(Medium in drive: unknown. Medium required by compilation: DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD-RAM.)

8:59:16 PM #14 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 813
Setup items (after recorder preparation)
0: TRM_DATA_MODE1 (CTransferItem)
2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
original disc pos #0 + 2246720 (2246720) = #2246720/499:16.20
relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/required, no patch infos
-> TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 2246720 blocks [HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4081B]
--------------------------------------------------------------

8:59:16 PM #15 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 982
Prepare recorder [HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4081B] for write in CUE-sheet-DAO
DAO infos:
==========
MCN: “”
TOCType: 0x00; Session Closed, disc fixated
Tracks 1 to 1:
1: TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048/0x00, FilePos 0 0 4601282560, ISRC “”
DAO layout:
===========
_Start|___Track|Idx|RecDep|CtrlAdr
0 | lead-in | 0 | 0x00 | 0x41
0 | 1 | 0 | 0x00 | 0x41
0 | 1 | 1 | 0x00 | 0x41
2246720 | lead-out | 1 | 0x00 | 0x41

8:59:16 PM #16 Phase 24 File APIProgress.cpp, Line 273
Caching of files started

8:59:16 PM #17 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 4177
Cache writing successful.

8:59:16 PM #18 Phase 25 File APIProgress.cpp, Line 273
Caching of files completed

8:59:16 PM #19 Phase 36 File APIProgress.cpp, Line 273
Burn process started at 4x (5,540 KB/s)

8:59:16 PM #20 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2345
Verifying disc position of item 0 (relocatable, disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #0

8:59:16 PM #21 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 8063
---- DVD Structure: Physical Format Information (00h) ----
Layer: 0, Address: 0 (0 h), AGID: 0; Length: 2050
Book Type: DVD+R (10), Part Version: 1
Disc Size: 120 mm, Maximum Rate: <not specified> (F h)
Number of Layers: 1, Track Path: Parallel Track Path (PTP), Layer Type: recordable
Linear Density: 0,267 um/bit, Track Density: 0,74 um/track
Starting Physical Sector Number of Data Area: 30000 h (DVD-ROM, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW)
End Physical Sector Number of Data Area: 26053F h
End Sector Number in Layer 0: 0 h
Data in Burst Cutting Area (BCA) does not exist
Disc Application Code: 0 / 0 h
Extended Information indicators: 1 h
Disc Manufacturer ID: RICOHJPN
Media type ID: R01
Product revision number: 2
Number of Physical format information bytes in use in ADIP up to byte 63: 56
Media Specific [16…63]:
00 00 01 52 49 43 4F 48 - 4A 50 4E 52 30 31 02 38 …RICOHJPNR01.8
23 54 37 09 00 3C 67 00 - AC 62 16 18 0B 0B 0A 0B #T7…<g…b…
01 19 1B 0B 0B 0E 0F 01 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 …

8:59:16 PM #22 Text 0 File DVDPlusRW.cpp, Line 606
Start write address at LBA 0
DVD high compatibility mode: Yes

9:13:00 PM #23 SCSI -1039 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1441
SCSI Exec, HA 2, TA 0, LUN 0, buffer 0x010B0000
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x04 (KEY_HARDWARE_ERROR)
Sense Code: 0x09
Sense Qual: 0x01
CDB Data: 0x2A 0x00 0x00 0x21 0x26 0x60 0x00 0x00 0x20 0x00 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0x71 0x00 0x04 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x10
0x35 0x01 0x04 0x0E 0x09 0x01

9:13:00 PM #24 CDR -1039 File Writer.cpp, Line 304
Focus or tracking error

9:13:00 PM #25 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 229
all writers idle, stopping conversion

9:13:00 PM #26 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 223
conversion idle, stopping reader

9:13:42 PM #27 Phase 38 File APIProgress.cpp, Line 273
Burn process failed at 4x (5,540 KB/s)

9:13:42 PM #28 Text 0 File AudioCompilationImpl.cpp, Line 828
DRM: DRM burn session terminated.

9:13:42 PM #29 Text 0 File AudioCompilationImpl.cpp, Line 857
DRM: Closing entire DRM handling. Bye.

Existing drivers:
File ‘Drivers\ADPU160M.SYS’: Ver=v3.60a (Lab01_N(johnstra).010529-2218), size=101888 bytes, created 8/17/2001 12:07:32 PM

Registry Keys:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\AllocateCDROMs : 0 (Security Option)

#11

To those experiencing this problem - have you considered a faulty drive (DVD)? Try the drive in a different machine, if possible.

#12

Thanks for the reply. :wink:

However, I don’t think it’s a faulty drive as it does always burn to a certain point… I think my best bet right now is to download the updated firmware.

Has anyone experienced the exact same problem that I’m having with the GSA_4081B? matomi, I saw your earlier post. Did you or anyone else have the same issue where you were burning fine with no problems and all of sudden started having this error?

#13

Yes, I have an LG GSA-4040B, burned 100+ DVD’s (3 TDK -R, 25 platinum -R, 25 platinum +R, the last ~60 Ritek G04 A grade -R) and right in the middle of a 25-pack of Ritek, this problem started occurring consistently. I tried simulation mode (it works perfectly with no errors). But after the simulation, the error recurs during the (non-simulation) burn. (I can post a log if anyone is interested.)

I think the problem first occurred while using DVD Shrink. However, it recurred while using Nero. Has anyone tried using different software? (Note that DVD Shrink uses Nero for burning, just hidden in the background.)

For me, the focus or tracking error seems to occur just after burning the lead-in.

Another interesting point: My drive still reads CD/DVD and writes CD perfectly. The problem only occurs when recording DVDs.

I have not yet tried another brand of DVD; all I have now is Ritek. Does anyone know a brand of DVD-R’s that are known not to produce this error?

I plan to update Nero 6.3.1.6 -> 6.3.1.20.

I have another computer, next I’ll try transplanting the drive into that one.

I am using the original A300 firmware, I might try updating… but if I have to return this drive to the manufacturer, I’m worried they’ll see newer firmware and think this problem is my fault.

Has anyone tried one of those CD-player cleaning cds? (I’ve seen them with a brush that you put cleaning solution on.)

A user named “cacau” posted on another thread (for a specific LG drive:
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=103364 ) “i have the same problem with my lg4082b and the drive returned for the support center to repair.” If that is truly the only solution, then how do I go about it?

I think I’ll try burning DVD RW’s only until this problem is solved (so I don’t waste any more -R’s as coasters).

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

By the way - I see lots of different threads about this problem on the LG forum (is this problem specific to LG drives?). Can we all agree on one thread (perhaps the one with the most posts so far… I think this is it) and all post on one thread?

I’ll try all the suggestions mentioned so far, and I’ll post here if something solves the problem for me.

Thank you all who posted so far, and thanks in advance to anyone who comes up with a solution that works for everybody :slight_smile:

P.S. I noticed that Agent_007 and I have similar system configurations… but then realized… that he is apparently not having this problem. FWIW, here’s my config:
Windows XP (acpi enabled)|AMD TBird 800|ABit KT7-RAID|Geforce 2 Pro
Realtek 8029 NIC(PCI 3)|SB Live CT4780 Sound(PCI 4)|3com modem 1806(PCI 5)
IDE: Pioneer DVD(Channel 1 Master)|LG DVD-RAM/±RW(Ch.2M)|Seagate 40gb(Ch.4M)

#14

I posted on another thread about the same problem:

http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?p=675807#post675807

But I want to keep this thread up top so that everyone starts using the same thread for this same problem.

#15

I’ll start by saying I believe this problem to be one of 3 things - Media, Firmware or Faulty Drives - of the 3 I’m leaning toward faulty drives (too much of a coincidence that it seems to be the same brand).

Can anyone confirm if they’ve updated firmware after experiencing this problem & thus solved the problem?

So long as you upgrade to genuine LG firmware, then they can’t say this, after all, it would be their firmware, right?

Very observant - no, I’m not experiencing this problem, nor do I even own an LG drive. I was just browsing & thought I’d add something to the thread! :cool:

#16

I have made no more coasters since my last post. (That means, I have not had a recurrence of the “focus or tracking error”.) Here’s what I did:

WinXP -> SP 2 (newest) [after this, successfully burned Sony +RW]
Nero -> 6.3.1.20 (newest)
Drive firmware -> A304(newest) [after this, successfully burned Ritek -R @ 2x]

How is everyone else doing with this problem?

#17

I’m having the same problems with the GSA 4081b. They’ve started after about 50 successfully burned DVDs. This is not a media related problem. The problem is this drive sucks.

I’ve used only quality media (CDr and DVD-r), the same ones I was using before the “F***us Servo Failure” errors started. Now, the crazy thing is it still can burn RWs (DVD-RW and CD-RW). I only get a coaster when I try to burn a CDr or a DVDr.

I’ve tried every possible solution pointed in this thread. None of them have worked.

Earlier today I’ve contacted LG and they told me there’s nothing they can or will do about it because LG doens’t make this drive in my country (can you believe that!!!) no warrant, no repair, no nothing… so I’ve got my money stolen plain and simple.

Cheers

#18

Are you in the UK? LG doesn’t make drives in the UK is why LG has no warranty in the UK for LG retail drives seems like what you are reporting. If that’s true, you should sue them.

#19

I’m not in the U.K., actually I’m in Brazil and yes, it’s true that LG Electronics over here acts as if this is not their problem. If you can read portuguese I can send you a copy of the e-mail they’ve sent me. I’ve also contacted them by phone and got the same kind of answer…

It truly amazes me that a global company like LG could release a drive that obviously has serious quality problems in the first place. No piece of hardware is supposed to last for 5 months. But when they turn to you and say they won’t replace it nor even repair it… you know you’re dealing with sad, sad people.

And they run a pretty big operation around here…

I’ve sent an e-mail to LG in U.K. and now I’m curious to see what they have to say about this… if they answer it, of course.

But like you said, maybe I should just sue them.

#20

I can assure you that’s completely against LG’s own warranty policy whether it’s in the United States or in Japan or in France or in Brazil. LG has over 50% of market share in South Korean ODD market. Samsung has less than 50% and Lite-On has part of the rest, usually under 5% which itself is shared among Worldwise, Gatecom, and Headerway. LG Electronics has more than 100 service centers in South Korea and each of them is usually very large with uniformed girls at the front and uniformed engineers further inside. The process is like this:

I enter the service center and wait for my turn just as in a bank. One of the pretty and tall uniformed girls will announce my # and I go to the desk-front with the LED showing the #. She will ask my name, my address, and, of course, the “symptons” of my LG Electronics product whether it’s LCD or ODD. All of them will be recorded. After a few minutes, she will call my name or my # and then either she’ll have solved the problem by giving me a replacement product or let me talk with the engineer allocated for me. He or she might bring me in front of a computer set up to test and fix ODD products and explain what was wrong or what might have made to think something was wrong. In case of the latter, the engineer can give me two things to choose from: get a replacement or be happy and go home with my drive.

It’s simpler if I send the drive by mail or door-to-door service to an LG service center. LG’s warranty service is poor compared to those of Samsung Electronics and Worldwise, the largest Lite-On ODD distributor in South Korea. The latter two usually make it simpler and cheaper and the period is between 1.5 to 2 years, not only one.

Is the guy you talked to an employee of LG Electronics? Tell the guy to read what I’m saying here or quit the job.

A PC drive is not supposed to last five months. The MTBF is far more than that. The failure rate of past LG drives is not that bad. If a company has a defective product out of every hundred sold to end users, the company is losing 1% of their market and customers and also money. If the rate is more like 10%, the company could very easily go bankrupt in months, literally. If the rate is over 20% to 50%, then everyone in the company will lose the job and some of the higher in the management will go to jail or might commit suicide instead. The competition in this business is very strong, harsh, and inhuman. Consider what I have explained how the warranty or customer-return processes work in LG’s home market. It should be easy to understand that whether it’s LG or Samsung, they just can’t survive if defective rates are too high or product performances are too low. LG once had to recall 50,000 CD writer drives at once. That meant multi-million in USD loss to LG for a market of very low margin. Since PC ODD drive market is very competitive and they make literally hundreds of millions of drives, they can’t afford losing that many drives at once in a single region market. If it were LCD panels or DRAM chips, quite a different story though since they are hundreds of times more profitable with virtually no competition from anyone in the world.