What's wrong with all those DVD burner?

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

Hello everyone,

I bought a Plextor PX-708A 18 months ago. It was suppose to be a very good burner. After a few weeks, the burner stopped to read or write CDs. DVD read and write was fine. I was able to replace it but the new one developped the same problem! Fine, Plextor was not working for me so I bought a LG 4082B. Well, after less than 16 months of burning, this one also stopped reading or writing CDs 2 weeks ago? Again DVD was fine but 3 days ago, I had my first bad DVD writing error (lead-in error). Second attempt was fine. Today, it failed 3 times in a row with 2 different DVD media (DVD+R Sony 8x and Fujifilm 8x). I don’t burn more than 80 DVD/CD a year so it’s not like I’ve been stressing the poor thing. I’m using Nero 6.

My questions are:

Are those DVD writer made to last?
Can I do something about it? Open the writer and clean it?

Thx for reading
Robert.

#2

can you post an error log

#3

Wow, it’s getting worst every minute. I was able to produce a log error on the first attempt. I was not sure if the first media was empty (but normally Nero can detect that) so I did try a second time but the DVD writer doesn’t recognize blank media anymore! Yet, I was able to play a regular DVD movie.

The log file:

Zut

Windows 2000 5.0
IA32
WinAspi: -
ahead WinASPI: File ‘C:\Program Files\Ahead\Nero\Wnaspi32.dll’: Ver=2.0.1.59, size=160016 bytes, created 16/12/2003 19:18:06
Nero version: 6.3.1.12 (Nero Express)
Recorder: <HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4082B>Version: A204 - HA 0 TA 1 - 6.3.1.12
Adapter driver: <atapi> HA 0
Drive buffer : 2048kB
Bus Type : default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ATAPI
CD-ROM: <HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8526B >Version: 1.02 - HA 1 TA 1 - 6.3.1.12
Adapter driver: <atapi> HA 1

=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral : ST340016A atapi Port 0 ID 0 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4082B atapi Port 0 ID 1 DMA: On
DiskPeripheral : ST380011A atapi Port 1 ID 0 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8526B atapi Port 1 ID 1 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : Generic DVD-ROM 1.0 d347prt Port 2 ID 0 DMA: Off

=== CDRom-Device-Map ===
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4082 D: CDRom0
HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8526B E: CDRom1
Generic DVD-ROM G: CDRom2

AutoRun : 1
Excluded drive IDs:
CmdQueuing : 1
CmdNotification: 2
WriteBufferSize: 83886080 (0) Byte
ShowDrvBufStat : 0
EraseSpeed : 0
BUFE : 0
Physical memory : 1023MB (1048048kB)
Free physical memory: 636MB (651856kB)
Memory in use : 37 %
Uncached PFiles: 0x0
Use Static Write Speed Table: 0
Use Inquiry : 1
Global Bus Type: default (0)
Check supported media : Disabled (0)

3.12.2005
UDF/ISO compilation
21:48:41 #1 Phase 112 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1836
DVD-Video files reallocation started

21:48:41 #2 Phase 114 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1836
DVD-Video files reallocation completed (no file modified)

21:48:41 #3 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 : FALSE
Allow more than 255 characters in path : FALSE
Write ISO9660 ;1 file extensions : TRUE

21:48:41 #4 Phase 111 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1836
DVD-Video files sorted

21:48:41 #5 Text 0 File Reader.cpp, Line 118
Reader running

21:48:41 #6 Text 0 File Writer.cpp, Line 124
Writer HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4082B running

21:48:41 #7 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 3899
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

21:48:41 #8 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 3899
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

21:48:41 #9 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3167
Turn on Disc-at-once, using DVD media

21:48:41 #10 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 245
Last possible write address on media: 2295103 (510:01.28, 4482MB)
Last address to be written: 2286159 (508:02.09, 4465MB)

21:48:41 #11 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 257
Write in overburning mode: NO (enabled: CD)

21:48:41 #12 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 2137
Recorder: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4082B, Media type: DVD+R
Disc Manufacturer ID: YUDEN000, Media Type ID: T02, Product revision number: 0
Disc Application Code: 0, Extended Information Indicators: 3

21:48:41 #13 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 418
>>> Protocol of DlgWaitCD activities: <<<
=========================================

21:48:41 #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 + 2286160 (2286160) = #2286160/508:2.10
relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/required, no patch infos
-> TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 2286160 blocks [HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4082B]
--------------------------------------------------------------

21:48:41 #15 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 982
Prepare recorder [HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4082B] 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 4682055680, ISRC “”
DAO layout:
===========
_Start|___Track|Idx|RecDep|CtrlAdr
0 | lead-in | 0 | 0x00 | 0x41
0 | 1 | 0 | 0x00 | 0x41
0 | 1 | 1 | 0x00 | 0x41
2286160 | lead-out | 1 | 0x00 | 0x41

21:48:41 #16 Phase 24 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1836
Caching of files started

21:48:41 #17 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 4177
Cache writing successful.

21:48:41 #18 Phase 25 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1836
Caching of files completed

21:48:41 #19 Phase 36 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1836
Burn process started at 4x (5,540 KB/s)

21:48:41 #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

21:48:41 #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: 3 h
Disc Manufacturer ID: YUDEN000
Media type ID: T02
Product revision number: 0
Number of Physical format information bytes in use in ADIP up to byte 63: 56
Media Specific [16…63]:
00 00 03 59 55 44 45 4E - 30 30 30 54 30 32 00 38 …YUDEN000T02.8
23 54 37 10 02 4E 72 02 - 8C 63 16 16 0B 0B 0A 0A #T7…Nr…c…
01 19 1B 0C 0C 0C 0D 01 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 …

21:48:41 #22 Text 0 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1694
Set remaining time: 14:17,684 (857684ms) -> OK

21:48:41 #23 Text 0 File DVDPlusRW.cpp, Line 606
Start write address at LBA 0
DVD high compatibility mode: Yes

21:49:10 #24 SCSI -1135 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1441
SCSI Exec, HA 0, TA 1, LUN 0, buffer 0x0A270000
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x03 (KEY_MEDIUM_ERROR)
Sense Code: 0x0C
Sense Qual: 0x00
CDB Data: 0x2A 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x02 0x60 0x00 0x00 0x20 0x00 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0x70 0x00 0x03 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x10
0x35 0x2D 0x03 0x0E 0x0C 0x00

21:49:10 #25 CDR -1135 File Writer.cpp, Line 304
Write error

21:49:10 #26 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 229
all writers idle, stopping conversion

21:49:10 #27 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 223
conversion idle, stopping reader

21:49:10 #28 SCSI -1135 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1187
SCSI Exec, HA 0, TA 1, LUN 0
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x03 (KEY_MEDIUM_ERROR)
Sense Code: 0x0C
Sense Qual: 0x00
CDB Data: 0x35 0x02 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0x71 0x00 0x03 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x10
0x35 0x2D 0x03 0x0E 0x0C 0x00

21:49:10 #29 Phase 127 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1836
Generating DVD high compatibility borders

21:49:10 #30 Text 0 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1694
Set remaining time: 0:00,000 (0ms) -> OK

21:49:10 #31 CDR -1135 File WriterStatus.cpp, Line 164
Write error

21:49:10 #32 TRANSFER -24 File WriterStatus.cpp, Line 164
Could not perform end of Disc-at-once

21:49:10 #33 Text 0 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1694
Set remaining time: 0:00,000 (0ms) -> OK

21:49:10 #34 Phase 38 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1836
Burn process failed at 4x (5,540 KB/s)

Existing drivers:
File ‘Drivers\CDR4_2K.SYS’: Ver=5.3.2.31, size=58000 bytes, created 16/10/2004 00:30:08
File ‘Drivers\CDRALW2K.SYS’: Ver=5.3.2.31, size=23420 bytes, created 16/10/2004 00:30:08
File ‘WNASPINT.DLL’: Ver=V1.18, size=57344 bytes, created 02/11/2002 10:53:04
File ‘Drivers\PXHELP20.SYS’: Ver=2.03.01a, size=20368 bytes, created 26/01/2005 20:11:02 (Prassi/Veritas driver for win 2K)
File ‘Drivers\atapi.sys’: Ver=5.00.2195.6699, size=86672 bytes, created 19/06/2003 11:05:04 (Adapter driver for rec)

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

#4

I would put it down to average construction and luck.

I don’t think Plextor DVD burners have ever been known as reliable, so its not suprising that they failed in short order.

While the LG death is premature based on my optical drive experience, it did last longer then a year.

#5

It sounds like it could be a dirty or dusty environment.

#6

I opened the beast. The lens and the mechanism were clean, no dust at all. I presume the laser is dead. I read in other post that DVD burners may use 2 differents lasers, 1 for CDs, 1 for DVDs. I think there is only 1 laser that can operate at 2 different wave length. Several people are reporting that their DVD burner begins to fail first with CDs and after that with DVDs. It’s a mystery to me. One thing I know about lasers is that when they begin to die, it happens very quickly.

A NEC 3540A is on it’s way! Not the best, not the worst. At $50 CAN, I’m only asking for a year of good work :bow:

Thx to everyone for reading and the help.

#7

I’d also be concerned about your power supply. I’ve witnessed on numerous occassions a bad power supply damaging hardware. Possibly the LG simply was a bit more resilient to dirty power, hence why it lasted longer, as it seemed your Plextor’s died way to soon, and seems to be too much of a coincidence to me. A bad power supply, or one that is overloaded, could put out too much, too little, and/or dirty power damaging components. Possibly with the DVD burner running too, it’s pulling more power than the power supply can handle. Also, keep in mind that cheaper/no name power supplies rarely meet their specifications. I personally recommend Antec and Seasonic when it comes to power supplies.