Kenwood 72X CD-ROM and WinXP?

[SkaarjMaster]

I asked this question at another forum, but just wondering if you guys could add anything to it. Thank you.

I have one of these on each of my systems. The Win98SE one was able to take an upgrade to the latest firmware (226G) and it shows it in device manager, but I can't seem to install the latest firmware in WinXP. The PCloader34.exe program doesn't detect any CD-ROM devices connected. How do I check in XP what firmware version is installed for this device? I wouldn't really care too much, but sometimes the CDs aren't detected immediately for some reason. I have to eject the CD and put it back in. Any ideas on what the problem might be?

RESPONSE: Kenwood doesn't support NT/2K/XP. the drive works fine, you just can't update the firmware. i'm pretty sure about this, but it's been a while since i used my Kenwood drive. Also, i seem to recall my drive having the same problem reading discs. it started with CDRWs, then moved onto CDRs, and finally pressed CDs started having the problem. the drives are probably just getting old.

ME AGAIN: OK, I figured it was something like the drive not supporting XP. I'll just keep using it until it gets really irritating. I'm still curious though, where in XP do you check the firmware version of the CD/DVD devices? I'm also thinking that the person I bought this Kenwood drive from already upgraded it to the latest firmware, but I'd like to find out for sure. Thanks!

[hoxlund]

once you upgrade the firmware in win 98 or any other OS for that matter, it will stay with the drive even if you format your hard drive

the firmware is stored on the optical drive itself, only reason to upgrade firmware is if newer version comes out

and if you need to flash it again, you can always load up a windows boot disk to get into DOS

[SkaarjMaster]

I know that but since XP doesn't support this drive, I can't find the firmware in there anywhere in XP? Where does it show the firmware version of my Lite-On DVD burner? Can I get this info. using X-Setup Pro or something like that?

I may just have to hook the XP drive to my 98 computer to find out what firmware is on there. I have one on each computer.

[hoxlund]

the fastest way is to download CD-Speed and just look at the top part where is shows the drive, at the end will show the firmware version

http://www.cdspeed2000.com/files/NeroCDSpeed_211.zip

[dodecahedron]

or Nero InfoTool

http://www.cdspeed2000.com/files/NeroInfoTool_207.zip

[SkaarjMaster]

That should work. Thanks guys! I'm not at home right now, but I have Nero Ultra 6 installed.......does that have something installed with it that does this?

[dodecahedron]

LOL yes, Nero InfoTool and Nero CD Speed come with Nero 6!
in the Start menu click Ahead -> Nero Toolkit, there you'll find both of them.

[hoxlund]

i always wanted one of those 72x cd-rom drives, its a little late now though

having a cd-rom is limiting though, no dvd support or nothin

can you see a difference in speed? from the 72x from 48x?

[SkaarjMaster]

I started out using a CD burner and DVD-ROM in my system purchase and last ever OEM purchase (MidWest Micro) back in 1999 and then added the Kenwood 72X later. I think I remember noticing a difference, but it was a while back. All I know is I have two of the fastest CD-ROMs on the planet and intend to keep each as long as possible. As soon as one craps out or starts giving me more trouble than I want to deal with, then I'll get one of those Lite-On 52X CD-ROMs for real cheap.

[hoxlund]

any idea where i can get a 72x kenwood?

i know theres ebay, but anywhere else?

[wicked1]

yall got me itching for one now

[hoxlund]

judging by this review i think ill pass on this drive

http://www.targetpc.com/hardware/cd-rom/kenwood72x/

[wicked1]

judging by this review i think ill pass on this drive

http://www.targetpc.com/hardware/cd-rom/kenwood72x/

why? It sounds good in that review.

[SkaarjMaster]

I don't get it......the review gives it many thumbs up. Just in case anyone is wondering, most if not all of the drives before this one had all kinds of problems but Kenwood hit a homerun with the 72X and finally got it right. Unfortunately, the bad rep. of the previous CD-ROMs resulted in sluggish sales and they pulled the product. I got my second one off e-bay and I believe there and any place like it, flea markets or garage sales would be the only places I can think of to get one if you want it. Good Luck!

.....well, I just installed Nero InfoTool on both computers and these are the results:

Win98 computer: firmware 226G (latest), 4-24-00
WinXP computer: firmware 221G, 4-6-00

Looks like I'll have to move the XP Kenwood drive to the 98 computer temporarily to update the firmware. It may not make a difference, but then again it might make a difference.

[SkaarjMaster]

Just flashed it in my 98SE computer this weekend and put if back in my XP computer and Nero InfoTool shows it now as 226G, so everything worked out fine!

[AmanO]

for ripping audio......is audio ripping limited in speed or can it get up to 50x in theory?

Since I have peoples atention....how can you make a dual boot with ME and XP? Install XP then boot off the ME cd and install on another drive?

Will it go to POS and ask which OS you want?

[hoxlund]

you can use a boot loader like boot magic

and ripping speed is limited to your drives rip speed

[dhc014]

I missed this thread before. The reason that PCloader34.exe was unable to detect your drive is because ASPI is not properly installed on your Windows XP machine.

[SkaarjMaster]

I usually never burn music over 24X-32X speed and mostly burn it at 12X-16X......I still have some 12X 74 minute media left over, hehe.

Data I burn at whatever speed I feel like at the time. Usually 40X (Lite-On 851S DVD burner) or over (CD-RW Lite-On drive).

[vinnie97]

Just in case anyone is wondering, most if not all of the drives before this one had all kinds of problems but Kenwood hit a homerun with the 72X and finally got it right.

I have this drive, it crapped out within a year, I believe. Kenwood offered to repair it for $100. I passed.

[SkaarjMaster]

Sorry man. I really love mine, especially the one in the 98SE machine. XP is not too fond of these drives and every once and a while I get disc recognition problems, but not enough to make me get another CD-ROM. I have an old DVD-ROM in my Dragon1 system to take its place when it eventually does crap out. In my Dragonslayer system, I'll probably either get a fast CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM to replace it.

[vinnie97]

Yea, I liked it's blazing speed when it worked...I'd probably do better in buying one off Ebay (haven't actually checked the prices, though) if I want to replace this one...let us know how many months or years of use you get out of it.

[edelbeb]

Here's some reviews on the Kenwood 72x:

http://www.neoseeker.com/Hardware/Produ ... views.html

I even wrote one of them. BTW, I neglected to mention that DAE, although fast, tended to be inaccurate according to the tests of those days. On the otherhand, I never heard problems in anything that I ripped.

[pranav81]

Thread resurrected after more than a year.....

Frankly,I wont go for any CD-ROM drive now.


::Pranav::

[edelbeb]

I really should be more careful about checking dates before I reply to a post!