Optical Drive Malfunctions

Hi Guys;

I have issues with the drive in my system in respect to writing CD or DVD disks and recently reading CD disks. I have worked with HP online customer support but found them to be a complete waste of my time.

HP Pavilion Notebook
ZD8460ea
Serial #CNF6071N4D
Part #EL045EA
BIOS Rev F.34 (Phoenix First Pro)
O/S Windows HP Home
Drive TS-L532M 8X DVD/CD +/- RW dual layer light scribe
HP Part #383608-001

I purchase the system in Kuwait in Dec of 2004. I must admit that until late last year I had never tested the drive functionality. In fact I only set the DVD region zone in Dec of 2008. I had never had issues using the drive to read DVD of CD disks. I had been able to read and installed software on both types of media. My problem started when I tried to write DVD or CD disks. I used different writing software, Sonic Digital Plus Ver7 Installed on the system at time of purchase, Nero Ver6, Microsoft Media Player and others all with the same result. They would go thorough the writing process including verification saying it was successful however when I reclosed the drive door the disk would be empty. If I used the properties window it would tell me the disk was completely used. If I tried to reuse the disk the programs would ask me to insert another disk. If I removed the disk and put it into another system the disk would be accepted as good and blank. Recently the drive quite reading CD disk including disks it had read successfully before. These disks included software I had purchased or disks that came with hardware which for installation of drivers and software for the product including HP products.

In the process of working with HP customer support I had deleted the upper and lower filters in the registry, uninstalled the drive in device manager allowing the system to rediscover and install the drivers. This was of no help at all and seems to be their canned response to all drive issues. I don't think they have a clue as to what is really going on. Since that time I have formatted the drive, something I had never had to do before, reinstalling the operating system, all drivers and software originally on the system. This did not help or change the way the drive was working. Further after doing much research I now understand that this drive is the equilivant to the Toshiba CD/DVDW SDR6572M. So in an attempt to resolve the problem I downloaded the firmware for this drive. I first flashed to version TU05 so the operating system recognized the drive as the SDR6572M and retested drive functionality. Same results as all other steps. I then reflashed the firmware to version TU07 which had no effect in resolving my problems.

I am concerned about one issue which may be the root of at least some of the problems I am having. I had never bothered to visit HP Customer support to upgrade programs or drivers with files posted on their site until last year. One of the files they posted was a new BIOS flashing file which changed the BIOS to its current revision. I tried to get help from them to get the original BIOS so I could restore the system to the state it was at the time of purchase so I could test the drive. My request was completely ignored.

I assume my next step will be to remove the drive from this system and test it in another PC and am assuming I can do this using a desktop system. If it works then the problem is with the motherboard BIOS, if it doesn't the drive is toast which brings me to my next topic.

Regardless of the outcome I may decide to purchase and install a new drive. I would like very much to have a drive that will support dual layer, dual format and light scribe. Extensive research leads me to believe there are many options available however HP refuses to confirm what I believe to be true. I am sure this is sales protection as the drives I am interested in are listed for other HP products even though they are the exact same drive as the one in this unit only with more functionality. I can see from pictures that the rear of the drive is predrilled to accommodate the installation of various mounting brackets depending on which notebook it is to be installed in. I also understand that in some cases it might be necessary to move the face plate and or the slide rails however from what I have seen I do not think this will be necessary. Most of these drives are the same model as the one I currently have with only a change in the firmware if any difference. I do see that a few are made by other vendors but the sizing appears to be the same.

So for now I have the following questions:

1. Have I done everything you would advise and am I correct in planning the next step about testing this drive in another system?

2. Could you possibly help me locate a copy of the original motherboard BIOS so I could restore the system to its state at purchase and test the drive before I go through the removal process?

3. If I must or decide to replace the drive and can give you the HP Part number could you help me confirm that I can indeed use the drive in this notebook? I am assuming that as long as the drive meets the physical requirements for mounting in this case it will work on this motherboard.

I have extensive knowledge when it comes to desktop systems as I have built from the ground up many high performance work stations however I have never once opened a notebook and need to confirm that there are no limitations beyond size that I need to be concerned with.

I will stop at this point and look forward to your reply. If you need any additional information please do not hesitate to ask.

Thanking You in Advance
JCPrice

 

True;

It is a bit long winded however I wanted to cover things in detail so those who chose to reply wouldn't suggest things I had already tried. In respect to the drive part number it is HP Part #383608-001 however this drive is not available in the US market and HP suggest I go with HP Part #382079-001.

I have about decided that my best option is to replace the drive with a non HP drive as this is much cheaper and use the savings to purchase a second external USB drive. This way I not only get all the functionality I want but 2 drive should one go belly up and save money in the end.

If I go with a non HP replacement then there are too many options to choose from.

Thank you for taking the time to reply and investigate potential solutions to my problem.

Warm Regards,
John

 

Thank you very much for that link. I had not been able to locate this drive up to this point.

I am leaning more towards ignoring anything that HP had to say as I have found the very same drive, TS-532M, listed under another part number for a Pavilion model that was sold later than mine was produced. This drive support all three, dual format, dual layer and light-scribe. I have to believe regardless of what HP says this drive will work in my system.

Really I had to teach them that PC2-4200 533MHz memory modules were usable in my system, it even clearly states this in their on documentation. Now after finally reading the documentation that came with the unit when it was purchased I see that it states I can use 2GB modules. So I am on a crusade to find out if I can install 2 2GB modules and if so what will be the advantage to me in respect to performance. Someone stated they had seen my system with 3GB of memory installed. I still don't understand how that works but am dead set on getting answers to all my questions prior to making the first move.

Thanks for you time.
John