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November 26th, 2006 15:00
Philips DVD8631 BIOS update and Write Problem
8400 XP SP2;BIOS 08; 2GB Ram; etc. and a DVD8631.with CD21.
First issue, I am unable to load GD30. Every time I try the message indicates that “Warning Command fail”. Again downloaded the zip file and have even tried to do it in Safe Mode but all ways the same message.
Secondly, recently within the last few months,when trying to write to the disk, the disk light goes on yet nothing is written and the only way to stop this is to shut down the entire system. Tried several programs and this does not happen always, but it does write properly maybe 1 out of 4. I normally use Memorex DVD 16x and Memorex CD-R. Up until recently, have written to approximately 1000 DVDs without an issue.
Just downloaded BIOS 09 and will install today, but not sure that this will resolve either of the above two issues………or will it?
Predator
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15.3K Posts
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November 26th, 2006 15:00
Hi Cyclone,
I doubt very seriously if the BIOS update will help.
A couple of things, you do have Admin rights enabled when trying install the firmware, correct?
Also if this drive is the second device on the IDE cable with another drive, you may need to either enter the BIOS and disable the other drive or disconnect it from the IDE cable.
Is your drive still under warranty? If the answer is no, then click on the CD/RW link in my post and scroll to Section 5-1 and review the article from Dave on converting this drive to a BenQ.
Best Regards!
God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the
difference.
CD/RW Link
cyclone3211
32 Posts
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November 27th, 2006 20:00
Thank you for the response.
Question: How do I find out if I have Admin rights enabled?
Background: This is a small business network of two Dell desktops with auto log-on. The 8400 has XP Home and the 4100 has XP Pro. Both machines have the same “writing to disk” software. When moving the file to the 4100 for writing, there have been no DVD write issues at all.
The question of Admin rights drives me up the wall. It seems that when anything goes wrong, the helpful hint is to check with the Administrator or the Network Administrator. How do we, who might call themselves, advanced users, deal with this kind of answer?
Sorry for the aside, but what exactly are “Admin Rights” other than acting as the Administrator and not disabling anything other than through the changes that are made by our guardians at MS.
I have always installed two drives on my desktops. Since the hard drives are SATA, I can not answer the questions if this Philips drive is the second device on the IDE cable with another drive. If I was to guess, than based on the conservative nature of Dell, they would probably be on the same cable. As I look at the System Board Components, the only thing I see regarding IDE is the “IDE drive connector (PRI IDE) along with a separate floppy drive connector.
Question: Is there a way to find this out without physically looking at it?
The system was purchased in April of 2005 and has a two year limited warranty.
Question: Can you tell me a direct way of how to handle this under warranty and avoid the multiple levels of Dell Support and the many hours of time wasted?
Predator
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15.3K Posts
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November 27th, 2006 21:00
Hi Cyclone,
I am copying & pasting information here from various sources:
Question 1: On Windows 2000 and XP systems, you can check to see whether you have administrator rights by right-clicking on the "Start" button. If you see the text "Explore All Users", you have administrator rights.
Question driving you up the wall:
On a computer, an administrator is a local account or a local security group that has complete and unrestricted access to create, delete, and modify files, folders, and settings on that computer. This is in contrast to other types of user accounts that have only been granted specific permissions and levels of access. An administrator account is used to make system-wide changes to the computer, such as:
Creating or deleting user accounts on the computer
Creating account passwords for other users on the computer
Changing others' account names, pictures, passwords, and types
Administrative rights are permissions granted by administrators to users which allow them to create, delete, and modify items and settings.
Without administrative rights, you cannot perform many system modifications, such as installing software or changing network settings. It is important that you know the administrative password to your computer; otherwise, you won't have the ability to modify files and settings, install programs, or fix problems.
Hopefully this will help in explaining why the question about "having Admin Rights enabled" is always asked.
Question #2: The 8400 series only has one IDE channel and Dell refers to it as the Primary. Dell default jumper setting is Cable Select, therefore the drive on the "end" of the IDE cable with be the Master-Drive 0 (first optical drive Windows XP sees and assigns a drive letter). So unless the User changes anything, the Drive sitting in the Top Bay will be the Master drive.
Question #3: Many Members have stated they prefer the Chat Service and seems to be quicker, I am from the old school and still like the phone.
Here is the link:
Contact US
As for making it any quicker, "the drive does not respond, no green light and will not even spin up"
Best Regards
God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do and the eyesight to tell the
difference.
CD/RW Link
cyclone3211
32 Posts
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November 29th, 2006 00:00
Again, thank you, Jeff, for the detailed response.
With a right click on “START”, I do see the text "Explore All Users", therefore I do have administrator rights. Yet still can not do the BIOS update.
The Philips DVD RW 8631 was factory installed as the second drive and a Sony DVD-ROM DDU1615 is in the top slot.
I have chosen the email route to begin the process to replace the malfunctioning drive.
Cy
Predator
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15.3K Posts
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November 29th, 2006 03:00
Honestly, Dell most of the time is not that difficult to work with on getting optical drives replaced. I will keep the ol`s Pred claws crossed for you on this one !!
Take care,
Jeff
cyclone3211
32 Posts
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November 30th, 2006 19:00