LG GSA-4040B has failed already?

[lgmayka]

My GSA-4040B burner (+,-,RAM) is a little over a month old. I had finally found a media code (RITEKG04) that it recognized as 4x DVD-R, and had burned many such. But two days ago...

After one successful burn that day, the next one failed. Then the next one, and the next one. I went into simulation mode, and got this log from Nero Express 6.0.0.19:

---
5:37:44 AM #18 Phase 32 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1843
Simulation started at 4x (5,520 KB/s)

5:37:44 AM #19 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2136
Verifying disc position of item 0 (relocatable, disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #0

5:37:44 AM #20 Text 0 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1703
Set remaining time: 3:56,514 (236514ms) -> OK

5:37:44 AM #21 Text 0 File DVDR.cpp, Line 1457
Recording mode: Sequential Recording Mode

5:37:44 AM #22 Text 0 File Mmc.cpp, Line 19195
Set BUFE: supported -> ON

5:37:44 AM #23 Text 0 File DVDR.cpp, Line 1572
Start write address at LBA 0
DVD high compatibility mode: Yes

5:37:44 AM #24 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 7912
---- DVD Structure: Physical Format Information (00h) ----
Layer: 0, Address: 0 (0 h), AGID: 0; Length: 2050
Book Type: DVD-R (2), Part Version: 5
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: 26127F h
End Sector Number in Layer 0: 0 h
Data in Burst Cutting Area (BCA) does not exist
Media Specific:
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
02 FE 10 00 02 FF A0 00 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................

5:37:46 AM #25 Text 0 File Writer.cpp, Line 318
05:37:46.734 - HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4040B : Queue again later (Intervall : 11msec)

5:37:57 AM #26 SCSI -1093 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1413
SCSI Exec, HA 1, TA 1, LUN 0, buffer 0x04180000
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: 0x02
Sense Qual: 0x00
CDB Data: 0x2A 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x20 0x00 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0x71 0x00 0x03 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x10
0x30 0x3C 0x00 0x0C 0x02 0x00

5:37:57 AM #27 CDR -1093 File Writer.cpp, Line 335
No seek complete

5:37:57 AM #28 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 228
all writers idle, stopping conversion

5:37:57 AM #29 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 222
conversion idle, stopping reader

5:37:57 AM #30 Text 0 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1703
Set remaining time: 0:00,000 (0ms) -> OK

5:37:57 AM #31 Text 0 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1703
Set remaining time: 0:00,000 (0ms) -> OK

5:37:57 AM #32 Phase 34 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1843
Simulation failed at 4x (5,520 KB/s)
---

Simulation, and burning, at 2x appears to work properly. Similarly, Easy CD Creator 5.3.5.10 in 4x test mode says:

---
E8004187b: Disc error - corrupted format - [05/30/05]
E80041925: TrackWriter error - Command retry failed - [T7118]
---

Once again I emphasize that 2x DVD-R burning continues to work properly, as does 4x DVD+R burning, 2.4x DVD+RW writing, 1x DVD-RW writing (I don't have any 2x DVD-RW disks), and DVD-RAM writing.

These same errors occur on all my remaining DVD-R blanks (all RITEKG04, marked for 4x). Trying another brand would almost certainly be useless, and certainly expensive, since I have already seen that RITEKG04 is the only (easily available and inexpensive) media code that reliably burns at 4x on the 4040B drive; and besides, I find it hard to believe that the quality of the RITEKG04 blanks would change drastically in the middle of a 25-pack spindle.

What could cause 4x to suddenly start failing (but with 2x still succeeding) without any other system changes? Does anyone have suggestions to try, or should I just contact LG for an RMA number?

[gyula]

That is really strange. Although I have exactly the same error messages for Ritek G04 and TDK (TYG01) media, but I never had any successful burns at 4x speed (exept Verbatim media). As I already posted here ( http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=12830 ) I contacted the LG support and they practicaly said that 4x media on the European market will not work (exept for the Verbatims) untill a new firmware version.
Perhaps there were discs meant for the European market mixed into the package. At this time I have no other explanation for your problem, if it is not true the LG support seems to gave me wrong informations.

[lgmayka]

Actually, gyula, your explanation sounds quite reasonable. I purchased the ugly-orange RITEKG04 blanks from allmediaoutlet.com, whose (sales?) headquarters is in Hacienda Heights, California; but it's quite possible that they purchased from a supplier who mixed American-bound blanks with Europe-bound blanks.

This is really getting ridiculous. It is getting time for some authoritative figure--perhaps Ian, who apparently has a good reputation for reviews of DVD writers--to publicly proclaim that

The LG GSA-4040B Is a Piece of Garbage When It Comes to Burning 4x DVD-Rs.

It is simply absurd that we users have to find out, through trial and error, that RITEKG04 is almost the only affordable media code that will burn at 4x, and then to find out that even this media code is totally unreliable because the European version will only burn at 2x and European blanks are often mixed in with American blanks.

This Is Crazy, And LG Needs To Hear It.

The other conclusion is that if DVD-R is this error-prone, it is obviously an obsolescent technology. Unfortunately, I cannot compatibly switch to DVD+R unless/until LG allows setting the booktype to DVD-ROM, and someone (perhaps Ian) said that LG, like most manufacturers other than Ricoh, will probably not allow that.

[gyula]

You are right. The situation on the DVD-R front is really bad. I only don't know why user seem to accept it. It is also possible that LG simply neglecting all the complaints. But all forums I visited in the last weeks are full of reports from disappointed users. Those users should write LG, if they have not did it already. The last firmware update (A300) was more than two month ago. I really cannot imagine what should take so long, when the problem is already known since month.
Unfortunately the DVD-RAM funktion was (and is) important to me, therefore the only choice was LG for me.

[jberry]

Users do not care about this issue as the LG 4040b is the best DVD writer for your $ now. I got mine $200 off via rebates here in Canada. Can't beat that. I do not mind waiting 26min for 2x writing for 4.7 gig vs 13 min. I can go do something else. Would I be angry if I paid full price for a supposed 4x writer? You bet I would. But for my price I could care less. If you are in a hurry then LG is not your drive..but it is the best bang for your buck if you "buy it right"

[lgmayka]

Yes, I saw the $200 Canadian rebates, but there has been no comparable promotion in the USA. I agree with your sentiments: If I had paid a bargain price (e.g., under US$150), I wouldn't be so upset about the loss of 4x burning capability. But I actually paid $190. Ironically, Internet pricing on the drive has indeed dropped by now to $151.

[jberry]

The rebate thing is what has always drawn me to LG. Their stuff seems to be well built and you can get it for cheap. It runs well. I think the 4040b is the perfect option. Don't worry about the speed. I feel great about this purchase because, I think, within 2 years we will have 16x or more burning on dual layer media. DVD is certainly not an item you want the best equipment for....it is changing too fast.

[lgmayka]

LG sent a rather feeble response to my complaint about 4x DVD-R burning on this drive:

---
The recommended brands of disk for this drive is Maxell and Pioneer. If you continue to experience difficulties, please call 800-243-0000 M-F 7am-8pm CST. You might want to consider doing the firmware update available for the drive at www.lgservice.com. Choose your country, then choose "device driver" then choose "cd-rw". The firmware update for your drive should be there. If you choose to get your drive replaced, you will not have to pay for shipping.
---

Forum reports claim that Pioneer doesn't actually make DVD-Rs anymore (although existing stocks are still available at obscenely high prices); and I myself have been burned (so to speak) by Maxell counterfeits, so I certainly would not trust them.

[Peter_Mann]

I had many coasters with my 4040B untill I started to write with DVD+R.
At that point I was really pissed that LG didn't just advise buyers to write with DVD+R untill DVD-R is fixed ( if it ever will be )

Overall I'm happy with the drive. Faster would be better but cheaper (purchace price) is best.

This is a product that was obviously rushed out the door.
LG knew full well that Plextor was going to release an 8X drive and it had the tiniest window of oportunity to ship this out. Note that when the drive appeared it was almost immediatly heavily discounted. My fear is that LG is now concentrating on their own 8X drive and not going to support this 4x drive fully.

[jberry]

buring -r at 2x is fine. super drive for the bucks

[lgmayka]

I just received a shipment of silver-colored RITEKG04 disks from meritline.com, and they appear to burn just fine at 4x. I now believe that the ugly-orange RITEKG04 disks

http://www.allmediaoutlet.net/P-DVD-R-4XRitek-LOGO.html

were at fault. Either they were a mix of American- and European-targeted media, or were simply counterfeits.

[lgmayka]

You may remember that a couple of months ago, I bought a 10-pack of FujiFilm 4x DVD-Rs in jewel cases that turned out to be mislabeled--they were only 2x. The media code was supposed to be TYG01 but instead was TAIYO-YUDEN.

A couple of days ago I decided to try again, with an assurance from Best Buy that if the disks were not 4x I could get a refund. But this time the disks were genuine 4x (TYG01), and my GSA-4040B drive burns them at 4x just fine.