Samsung Optical.

Just written a DVD+RW and my Samsung 203P wont read it. It's bootable and an identical drive on another machine boots from it so it's writing ok. Reads CDs ok but says this disk is empty when it will read the DVD+RW. Going to try it on the other machine but dont hold out much hope.

If it is broke (its over a year old) anyone know any good retailers with silver drives or multiple bezels preferably not Samsung.

Right it's definately the drive gone. Hardly used drive reads disks ok, looking at a Sony AD-7241S now as a replacement. Any thoughts?

In reply to a post by Banger:

Right it's definately the drive gone. Hardly used drive reads disks ok, looking at a Sony AD-7241S now as a replacement. Any thoughts?

Not sure if sony has sorted this out but my 7191s was oem and had no firmware updates for it ...And my older nec drive could write to some dvd-Rs i had and the brand new sony couldn't ...

So be carefull of oem drives .. That said I may look into any firmware updates for my drive!

I've already got the firmware for the Drive from the Sony Optiaric website maybe you should look there. There is one caveat with this drive and it is if it doesn't recognise the media as part of approved media it will slow down and may not write at advertised speed. I've got a media list so will have to try and get some approved media although some real world tests on another site seem to disprove this. Trouble is finding a silver drive.

Have a look here for your drive.

Edited by Banger (Sun 17-Jan-10 01:47:17)

In reply to a post by Banger:

I've already got the firmware for the Drive from the Sony Optiaric website maybe you should look there. There is one caveat with this drive and it is if it doesn't recognise the media as part of approved media it will slow down and may not write at advertised speed. I've got a media list so will have to try and get some approved media although some real world tests on another site seem to disprove this. Trouble is finding a silver drive.

Have a look here for your drive.

have firmware 1.01 and tried the update to 1.03 - doesn't reconise the drive

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/CD%2FDVD+D...

Found a silver sammy on scan as well ..

Thanks for that. Apparently the 7240 is the same as the Retail DRU-870S according to a chinese website. Although I was looking for Lightscribe silver sata which is the 7241. Amazon has one but steering clear of sammys as I have seen a couple go on the Novatech forum like mine with not being able to read.

I may not have to buy a new drive after all, according to this page Samsung UK gives 36 months warranty on optical drives. Will call on Monday. Now do I get the Sony and keep the repaired drive as a spare ?

Ok ordered the Sony drive from Amazon Marketplace and sent back the duff drive to the Netherlands for a swap, only cost £6 airmail so I will have a spare refurb if my other 203p goes kaput.

In reply to a post by Banger:

Ok ordered the Sony drive from Amazon Marketplace and sent back the duff drive to the Netherlands for a swap, only cost £6 airmail so I will have a spare refurb if my other 203p goes kaput.

Good luck .. I may cross flash mine