OT Firmware Updates

Maverick wrote on 2/13/2007, 10:50 AM
Hi

I have just purchased the Sony DVD RW AW-G170A here in th UK (OEM).

I tried the Sony.co.uk website for details of any firmware updates but found myself going round in circles; the firmware upgrade page does notmention firmware upgrades, even the Contact us link goes nowhere.

Does anyone know the corect URL for firmware upgrades.

Cheers

Comments

craftech wrote on 2/13/2007, 11:30 AM
That drive has had some issues. If you are having trouble with the system recognizing it I have read that it works best when configured as a slave and attached to the center of an 80-wire IDE cable.

Here are some firmwares for that and similar models, but if you are having a major problem with drive recognition new firmware probably won't solve it
There are also quite a few issues with some P965 motherboards with respect to the JMicron IDE controllers being poorly implemented. Motherboard manufacturers have issued newer firmware to resolve some of those issues, but another way some people do it is by using an IDE controller card and hooking up their optical drive to that and/or other IDE drives to that. Some people haven't even been able to install an Operating system because it needed to be installed FIRST before the system could be configured to recognize the JMicron IDE controller that works the IDE optical drive containing the disc with the operating system on it in the first place.

If it is just the optical drive itself and you just bought it, you might want to return it for an NEC drive.

Crazy.

John
Maverick wrote on 2/13/2007, 11:47 AM
Hi John

THanks for the reply.

Actually, I am not experiencing any problems with teh Sony Drive. My 3.5 year NEC 1300 gave up the ghost a week or two ago and I installed a new HDD at the same time. SYstem recognised both without issues and I was able to install XP first time.

The only reason I asked about Firmware upgrades is because I read that the latest Firmware will enable the DVD RW to recognise more media.

I have learnt my lesson and will not go for cheap media again - just want to make sure it accepts anything I do throw in it's direction.

Cheers
craftech wrote on 2/13/2007, 12:03 PM
Actually, I am not experiencing any problems with teh Sony Drive. My 3.5 year NEC 1300 gave up the ghost a week or two ago and I installed a new HDD at the same time. SYstem recognised both without issues and I was able to install XP first time.

The only reason I asked about Firmware upgrades is because I read that the latest Firmware will enable the DVD RW to recognise more media.

I have learnt my lesson and will not go for cheap media again - just want to make sure it accepts anything I do throw in it's direction.

===========
The 1.71 appears to be the latest official firmware. That website I linked above has all the latest firmware for every drive as well as extensive reviews and helpful forums. I would research the firmware versions mentioned (some are modified firmware versions) and post your questions if need be there.

Regards,

John
Maverick wrote on 2/13/2007, 1:37 PM
Thanks.

My current Firmware is 1.71.

As it is working without problems I think I'll stick with the age old adage 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'.

Cheers