Plextor708A can't read/write CDs, but DVDs OK

CD, DVD and (Ultra HD) Blu-ray Writers Plextor Writer
#1

My Plextor 708A started to not recognize CDs (even audio CDs) and not being able to burn CD-Rs.

Everything is OK with the DVD burning/reading capability!

Has anybody experienced this situation

I’ve tried PlexTools but it can’t detect the CD-R so I’m unable to preform a writing test or a reading test. It looks like the drive can’t detect the CD type, etc… and, consequently, doesn’t detect the CD.

I’ve cleaned/reinstalled Nero and used it to burn a DVD+R in ISO mode and all was correct but the same app can’t do a burn in a CD-R! :confused:

I had reflashed v1.03 when it came out. Yesterday, after discovering my problem, I reflashed with v1.04 but the problem persists! :frowning:

I also have done an uninstall in Control Panel and rebooted so the system autodetect the drive. And the drive is in UDMA mode.

Any help would be appreciated.

#2

you’d better return that drive, i had the same problem… it seems there might have been a bad batch made that can’t read cd-r/w’s.

#3

Forgot to mention that I’ve had the drive for 2 months and that i had already burned several CD-Rs without problems!

Those were the days… :frowning:

I’ve been reading this forum and i saw someone referring to “drive being locked in DVD-mode”?!?!? Does that exist?

Is it only resetable by the manufacturer??

:confused: :confused:

#4

i upgraded from firmware 1.02 -> 1.04 and my burner wont read/write cd-r anymore so i downgraded to 1.02 again but didnt work anyway

#5

The support said it was a common problem for 1.04 so they are working on 1.05 so they don´t need to take back alot of 708´s :confused:

#6

Was going to buy one of these but Plextor quality control and this drive seems to be absolute crap - what has happened to this company? Sub-contract to some 3rd rate piss-hole of a company?

Plextor was known for quality - they seem to have forgotten what that means.

#7

Mangler, my problem appeared while I was using 1.03.

Contacted PLEXTOR by email describing the problem and already got the RMA. I’m gonna ship the drive today.

Let’s wait and see.

#8

yep mine goes RMA today to, waiting for DHL now to send it

#9

I sent it on Wednesday (DHL). Received a new one on Friday!!! :bigsmile:

I would buy Plextor anytime!!! :cool:

No matter what problems the drives might have, Plextor is just one of those companies that know the words “CUSTOMER SUPPORT”! :bow: :bow:

#10

This is news to me. Thank you for the information!

Originally posted by Mangler
The support said it was a common problem for 1.04 so they are working on 1.05 so they don´t need to take back alot of 708´s :confused:

#11

Just for the record:

My bad drive was TLA#0002 (sep 03).

My new drive is TLA#0103 (nov 03).

#12

The same thing is true for me, both the TLA and the dates.

I have burned 6 DVDs and 2 CDs and not had any problems with the new one so far.

Originally posted by chicola
[B]Just for the record:

My bad drive was TLA#0002 (sep 03).

My new drive is TLA#0103 (nov 03). [/B]

#13

I experienced this same problem. I have the driver hooked up to a Promise Ultra100 TX2 controller. I then updated the controller drivers and the drive stopped reading all types of CDs but still worked fine with DVDs. I reverted back to the original microsoft drivers for the card and everything is back to normal.

#14

Pretty much word for word what happened to me - had the drive for about a month before it stopped reading CD media of any kind… confusing indeed.

Originally posted by chicola
[B]Forgot to mention that I’ve had the drive for 2 months and that i had already burned several CD-Rs without problems!

Those were the days… :frowning:

I’ve been reading this forum and i saw someone referring to “drive being locked in DVD-mode”?!?!? Does that exist?

Is it only resetable by the manufacturer??

:confused: :confused: [/B]

#15

dethmetaljeff,

I think you should have tried PlexTools to check that out.

AFAIK, PlexTools makes a direct access to the drive (bypassing drivers) and should give you an idea if it’s a driver problem or a HW problem…

Im my case, I tried and the Tools didn’t even see the drive!

But, glad your drive is OK.

#16

It has returned to happen with the second Plextor 708A, and again when trying to record an image iso, again the CDs does not recognize nor records.
Again I will write to Plextor Europe so that me they change it, but no longer I trust that it does not return to me to happen with
that they send to me now.
Bad thing :frowning:

#17

i do have the same problem
when i updated the firmware from 1.02 to 1.04
i could only burn dvd’s too read dvd’s or read/ write cd’s of cd-rw was’nt possible
i went back to 1.02 but the problem continued.
when i flashed to 1.03 i could read dvd’s en burn them
but stil nothing on the cd and cdrw front

My question therefore is wil a future firmware for example 1.05
solve this problems or is it hardware related

#18

Originally posted by Dr. Mabuse
[B]i do have the same problem
when i updated the firmware from 1.02 to 1.04
i could only burn dvd’s too read dvd’s or read/ write cd’s of cd-rw was’nt possible
i went back to 1.02 but the problem continued.
when i flashed to 1.03 i could read dvd’s en burn them
but stil nothing on the cd and cdrw front

My question therefore is wil a future firmware for example 1.05
solve this problems or is it hardware related [/B]

Someone said that plextor said in an e-mail that this is a known issue at it will be fixed in 1.05. But I have no idea as to whether or not it is true.

I am certain that there will be a 1.05 firmware release for this drive sooner or later. Plextor always relases firmware improvements for their drives at a good rate. But as to whether or not 1.05 will fix this problem … I cannot say.

#19

This happened to me after using the drive for about 6 months. Updated the firmware to 1.07 and didn’t fix it. DVD reading and writing is fine. IThe drive will not recognize any CD-- commercial, earlier CD’s burned with the 708-A, or CD’s created by any other burner. I don’t buy the IDE driver fix-- the drive worked fine with what was on my machine and I never changed the drivers. This is either a hardware or firmware defect. This was my first and last Plextor purchase.

#20

If your Plextor drive brakes down within six months you can have it replaced. Or has your warranty expired? Hardware problems can happen with any manufacturer, luckily Plextor has a good reputation when it comes to exchanging non-working drives. Good luck though and welcome to the forum jswisher.