HP DVD840e & LG 4166 firmware issues...

[paulmarshall]

Hello, my first post! Hope everyone is good.

I recently bought the above drive, and after numerous problems with it being recognised by Windows (XP Pro, SP2, 512 ram, P4 3Ghz), or Windows saying it was plugged into a slow USB port (not usb2). I flashed it with the firmware for an LG 4166B (v1.01) and the performance seems good, I managed to burn a 4.3GB iso in under 6 mins.

However, the Lightscribe function doesn't seem to work. I didn't try it before flashing with the LG firmware though, and have only tried it with the supplied disc.

Would anyone know where I could;

A) Find the original HP firmware, as the site isn't very clear.

B) If the LG 4166 v1.02 firmware would work with this drive.

Many thanks,

Paul.

[hoxlund]

did some quick scouring, no firmware available anywhere for the hp dvd840e

only firmware available is the 66ff, and nobody offers a download to reflash your drive

also signs are pointing to this drive being a Lite-on so LG firmware deffently wouldn't work, you can also tell its a lite-on from the bezel design

[Scour]

Hello!

The 840e is an OEM-LG 4166, so i guess (but cannot guarantee) that 1.02 should work. HP is very lazy with FW-updates

@hoxlund

Take a closer look at the front-bezel; maybe it looks similar to a Liteon but Liteon-drives have the emergency-hole and the LED on the left side, LG more at right.

http://cdr.cz/dvd_rekordery/liteon/sohw_1693s.html

http://cdr.cz/dvd_rekordery/lge/gsa_4166b.html

http://cdr.cz/dvd_rekordery/hp/dvd840i.html

[hoxlund]

your right, i just gathered my guess from 15 seconds of googling

[paulmarshall]

Thanks guys.

The reason I flashed it with 4166 firmware is due to a post on CD freaks, which led me to believe the lightscribe would work too. Apparently Nero hides the Lightscribe function if it doesn't detect a compatable drive, and I have the option but get an error message saying the media isn't a lightscribe disc.

Very confusing as I've head it's a 4166 drive, but the power transformer says Lite-On. Burning is fine for now so I might hold tight, rather than flashing with v1.02 and risk screwing things more.

Thanks again.

[Ian]

Try updating your LightScribe drivers:

http://dl1.nero.com/LS_HSI.EXE

[paulmarshall]

Thanks, think I already had those but reinstalled anyway, just incase.

Nothings ever easy when it comes to computers eh?!

[ala42]

Would anyone know where I could;

A) Find the original HP firmware, as the site isn't very clear.

DVD-RW 16X HP DVD Writer 840b Drive Firmware Update (sp26594.exe) HI86, Release Date: 2005-11-17
Not really new, but the only available HP update.

[paulmarshall]

thanks

i still get the usb error message despite the new 4166 firmware, anyone know why this might be?

sorry for all the q's

[paulmarshall]

awww crap. i downloaded the 840 firmware but can't install as now the drive isn't recognised as an 840. I think I'm screwed.

[ItalianJob]

Some reported that Verbatim LS discs have this problem sometimes.
Try another LS brand, format (DVD/CD-R ?) or package (spindle/case).

Overall, I think this a nothing to do with a firmware issue.
A/ a media issue (as I've just said)
B/ a software issue

For info, I use Windows XP SP2, Nero Burning ROM 6.6.1.4 (english, because language pack is broken and Nero 7 buggy with LS in many case if you do not have the right "1C80*" licence key), last Nero LS Host Engine as linked by Ian and a LG 4166 1.02 : I manage to print on Verbatim CD-R LS and Philips CD-R LS.

Note : There is a way (quite hard I think for a newbie) to go back to your HP firmware, but this is not the solution to your problems.
Nevermind, I give you the main parts of the plan :
1- edit the LG 4166 1.01 bin firmware with an hexa editor and change the id-string (from "HL-DT-ST DVDRRW GSA-4166B" to the original HP id string)
2- flash it with the 1.01 flasher
3- pray
4- If needed, correct id-string and go to 1
Disclaimer : take you own risks.

[paulmarshall]

Thanks for the help, I think I might try different discs first though.

Thanks again!

v1.02 firmware flashed OK by the way, if anyone else fancies trying it.