Driver update for Optiarc DVD RW AD-7190A

[Vince Cravotta]

I talked to someone through the MTU system and asked about the statement that I read in one of the adds and he stated that MTU's disk were manufactured specifically for MTU and they would suggest that I use them with the new burner.

As to the laser not being activated during the test and that the system is checking the files only, how can I test to see if the laser actually has the ability to burn a disk? I use a CD and DVD cleaner which I use each morning before I start burning disks. My Plextor burner had a test function to check if the laser was functioning properly. The laser has a reading funtion and a burning function. I could be updating and upgrading 'til the cows come home and it still would not work.

I have been reading as many of the Forum posts as I can, and the majority of them are complaining of the same type of problems that I'm concerned with. Can it be that all of us who have posted all of these problems are all inept at using Microstudio Burners and software? All of this began with the new Microstudio that converted all files to .bin files. I never had problems like this before the new software was issued and Microstudio informed us that our old code numbers would no longer work (and not explaining in advance that our old codes would no longer work). They (Microstudio) should make an attempt to re-institute a way for those of us who had to purchase disks because of the inability to receive downloads that did not work.
Again, all I can say is that I'm very disapointed that Microstudio has let this situation grow to these perportions.

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by Vince Cravotta

I talked to someone through the MTU system and asked about the statement that I read in one of the adds and he stated that MTU's disk were manufactured specifically for MTU and they would suggest that I use them with the new burner.

As you say they "suggest" and I would too for burning finished products, but for testing no itisn't necessary to ruin the expensive disks to find out if a fix worked or not. That was all I was saying.

Originally Posted by Vince Cravotta

As to the laser not being activated during the test and that the system is checking the files only, how can I test to see if the laser actually has the ability to burn a disk? I use a CD and DVD cleaner which I use each morning before I start burning disks. My Plextor burner had a test function to check if the laser was functioning properly. The laser has a reading funtion and a burning function. I could be updating and upgrading 'til the cows come home and it still would not work.

If the laser activates during the test phase then the disk would be ruined and not usable for the burn. There is no way to test the laser without ruining a disk.

Originally Posted by Vince Cravotta

I have been reading as many of the Forum posts as I can, and the majority of them are complaining of the same type of problems that I'm concerned with. Can it be that all of us who have posted all of these problems are all inept at using Microstudio Burners and software? All of this began with the new Microstudio that converted all files to .bin files. I never had problems like this before the new software was issued and Microstudio informed us that our old code numbers would no longer work (and not explaining in advance that our old codes would no longer work). They (Microstudio) should make an attempt to re-institute a way for those of us who had to purchase disks because of the inability to receive downloads that did not work.
Again, all I can say is that I'm very disapointed that Microstudio has let this situation grow to these perportions.

Yes there have been some who have had problems with Microstudio but it is a small minority of the thousands of users. And no I don't think that any are inept at using the software and burners. Any time you upgrade from a major version (3.xxx) to a new major version (4.xxx) then your registration code changes when you purchase the upgrade. This has always been MTU's policy.
Not sure why you can't recieve downloads, since you obviously have internet connection. Depending on your internet speed it may take some time to download, but it should come through ok.

The "conversion" to .BIN files from .CDG was actually only an extension change and did not change any of the contents of the files. I realize you are looking for reasons why this is happening, but unfortunately this isn't it.

Vince consider this. You have tested the burner on other programs and it writes ok. You have had two drives and they both worked for a short period of time (in Microstudio). The question is what is causing them to suddenly stop working for you? MTU knows that if everything is right with the computer Microstudio works and so do a lot of people.

[Vince Cravotta]

Dale,

I don't seem to be getting through for some reason. You have not given me any technical answers to my questions. Every answers is telling me that there is no way for the burner not be functioning correctly. I know that you are trying your best to satisfy me, but I don't consider your answers satisfying at all. I need someone to say there might be a problem so let's check it out. I notice that now when the burner starts in the burning process and before it errors out, the light on the burner never changes from the green color to the light orange or yellow color the other CD burners that I have do.

I downloaded Bel Arc and ran it two or three times and it states that my computer has all major upgrades and updates and every thing looks good.

*What I would like is a name and a telephone number of the manufactures of this burner that I can contact, send this burner to them and have them look at it and tell me that they placed it in a computer that they know has all the upgrades and updates in it and that it works for them. I will pay to ship it to them and then back to me. I could have it checked here locally but I would still have to get an electrical schematic for that burner.

I have sent three (3) of my Plextor disks back for service when they stopped working. They checked them and sent them back. Now because they have stopped making CD+G burners they no longer will take them back for repair. They suggested the route above to solve the problem.

I hope you can forward me the *information I have asked for.

[marklwood]

Vince, I know I'm a little late to the party, but I was reading over your posts and noticed something. You had said you tried the drive on a second computer. Do you also have Pinnacle Studio on the other machine? Roxio, Nero, and Pinnacle have a nasty habit of taking over your CD/DVD burner and not playing nice with others. I will refer you to this posthttp://www.windowsbbs.com/hardware/3...-disabled.html on a forum about Pinnacle and this problem.

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by Vince Cravotta

Dale,

I don't seem to be getting through for some reason. You have not given me any technical answers to my questions. Every answers is telling me that there is no way for the burner not be functioning correctly. I know that you are trying your best to satisfy me, but I don't consider your answers satisfying at all. I need someone to say there might be a problem so let's check it out. I notice that now when the burner starts in the burning process and before it errors out, the light on the burner never changes from the green color to the light orange or yellow color the other CD burners that I have do.

I downloaded Bel Arc and ran it two or three times and it states that my computer has all major upgrades and updates and every thing looks good.

Vince that is because I had run out of answers. We have tried everything that I know of. I never said you didn't have a problem, but was saying that it wasn't the drive that you wanted to send back. I had gone as far as I could, and you were wanting to send the drive back which would not solve the problem either. That was why I asked Marklwood to take a look at our posts and see if there was anything I was missing. I have never used Pinnacle Studio, so I was unaware that it could do the same thing as Roxio and Nero which is to lock a drive for exclusive use. Thanks Mark. It just shows we are never to old to learn.
If you need any help with the instructions in the link that Mark included just let us know here and we can try to break it down to step by step.
I am not sure on this burner (I have a couple of them) if the light changes color. I have never really paid attention to that as my computer is under my desk and I can't see the light.
Hopefully the Pinnacle Studio is the culprit. Sorry I couldn't figure it out.

[Vince Cravotta]

Gentlemen;
I thank you for this information. I will follow it up and try what the article might suggest.
Marklwood, Yes I had roxio on my other XP but not pinnacle because it doesn't have a fast enough chip to run Pinnacle.
Dale, I still would like the name and address of the manufacturer of the burner drive. I cannot keep replacing burners forever. I had my two Plextor drives for eight (8) years without a hiccup in their performance. And I'm sure that I produced some 1250 CD+g disks. I haven't made 25 disks with both of the burners I purchased from Microstudio. It's sad because all the other Microstudio products have been wonderful.
I apologize if I've said things that maybe I shouldn't have but, I've been desperate to get back to work.

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by Vince Cravotta

Dale, I still would like the name and address of the manufacturer of the burner drive. I cannot keep replacing burners forever.

I would love to give it to you but I have no idea what it is. I am not even sure MTU has it as it maybe that they order them through a wholesale supplier. I know they are a Sony/NEC produced product, but they do not show this model on either of their sites. Go figure. I know that Black and Decker has their name on some products too that are not made by them and are not listed on their site either. Guess it is kind of like the Kenmore line that Sears sells that are made by multiple manufacturers. Sorry.

[ddouglass]

Vince,
Here is the address for Sony Optiarc America:

Sony Optiarc America Inc.
1730 N. 1st St
San Jose, CA 95112

They also have firmware updates in their support section for all their models.

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by Vince Cravotta

I had my two Plextor drives for eight (8) years without a hiccup in their performance.

We are all a little upset with Plextor for pulling the plug on their CDG drives. They had a hard-coded chip in them that was state of the art for reading/ripping CDG disks. They sited lack of market as the reason for abandoning this technology, but I think they gave up too soon.

Originally Posted by Vince Cravotta

Marklwood, Yes I had roxio on my other XP but not pinnacle because it doesn't have a fast enough chip to run Pinnacle.

This could be the same situation. Roxio and Nero, along with Pinnacle, make some registry changes to take over your burner. They do it for consistency and performance gain. They nevered considered that you could POSSIBLY want to use something else to burn disks with.

I hope that this is all it is. It is a well documented known problem that is easily remedied with a few changes to your system.

As far as the frequency of failure, I suspect it coincides with an update that checked, and replaced, control of your burners to another program. The programs in question were written for Windows and will play nice as long as control is passed to them. They know how to do this in a Windows environment, but were not written with Microstudio in mind.

If you get it resolved, or not, please post back with your results. It may help someone down the road that is having a similar problem. If not, we may have someone else that we can compare to to see if you have anything in common that may be causing the problem.

[marklwood]

I would add one more thing. The offending parts of the 3 programs are as follows:

Nero - InCD
Roxio - DragToDisk
Pinnacle - Instant CD/DVD

These are the known problem children. There may be other parts, but I know of these for sure will cause the EXACT problems you are reporting. They want to "handle" all of that laborious work of burning a disk for you by saving you exactly 1 mouse click.