problem after firmware update with the nec nd-2100a +RW device

Question

hello together, i'm rather new here and please forgive me my poor english!

i own a dimension 8300 system (ATI 9800 128 Mb, 250 GB hard disk, 1024 MB RAM, DVD- and floppy DRIVE, DVD burner ND-2100A) running under win xp pro. Since 1. July Dell offers a winbased firmware update tool to switch the NEC ND-2100A built in firmware 103D to 104E (Dell download K2106080). I applied this tool and everything worked fine - for the present... after shutdown and restarting the machine windows recognized a new device ( NEC ND-2100A, so far so good) - BUT FAILED to install it... (surprisingly that good old software not found prob). Device manager's tab showed that annoying "exclamation mark on yellow triangle" prob. i've tried to reinstall the firmware flush - but the result was just the same. An obscure "oak technology driver" was installed to mark the ND-2100 +RW burner as CD-ROM only... and it behaved as such a device... (first tears were in my eyes...).

After that, i removed roxio burning software (on reg level - very time consuming) and replaced it by ahead's nero. surprisingly nero adressed the drive properly and all functionality tests went well. But still windows refused to recognize it! Same procedure: after restarting - win xp proudly presents the finding of a new hardware device (to give you an idea: of course _NEC ND-2100A) but obstinate refuses to install it... conciousness...

i've called dell's hotline! the technician advised me to reinstall win xp (OEM recovery, as usual...) - heavy hearted, but i agreed - EVEN MORE TIME CONSUMING - and - know you've guessed it all... that win xp mocked me again... new device - no software... desparation

(maybe this prob is due to some "hidden partition information" on the dell-system???)

is anyone out here with similar probs on that "unholy" firmware update? is anyone out here who can solve my prob? I've no more ideas!

gratefully awaitin' some answers - and wishful thinkin' on all of you,

Vohaul

osprey4 · Answer

Vohaul, first of all, don't panic!! This shouldn't be too much of a problem to fix.

There is a big difference between the firmware and the drivers. It sounds to me that the firmware was successfully updated, but that Windows has failed to properly install the driver needed. The Oak Technology driver is a generic driver. What you should try isd to go into Device Manager and click the update driver button and see if Windows can find the proper driver.

Vohaul · Answer

Thx for answering - BUT

humm - lol - windows xp failed to find the proper driver - actually at count - 51 - this is defintiveley NOT a solution to the prob... (i deleted the drive even in safety mode of win - as proposed elsewhere - no effect...). Meanwhile i found a post in an other board about a sony dvd - drive TWO years ago... with similar probs - and there was no solution found... (despair growths with knowledge... calm down they said - wait for the next firmware update - but - there will always be firmware updates, but sometimes, firmware updates never come... might be, im too pessimistic)

there MUST be a solution - and i'm sure it's within that dam... flush win xp pro installation by dell - may be i should return my pc (it's 3 month old - oh my god - its not panic - it's SADNESS...)

Greetz, Vohaul

Skybird · Answer

Vohaul, Is there an error code associated with the Device Manager such as code 19, 31 etc?

Vohaul · Answer

hello again, indeed there is an error code: code 28 - device driver not installed greetz, vohaul

Vohaul · Answer

i found the following advice elswhere in this forum (for a DIM 4800):

...try clearing the NVRAM. Possibly the hardware configuration stored in the NVRAM isn't being updated with the new drive. By clearing the NVRAM the BIOS will take a fresh inventory of all the installed hardware. Here is how to clear the NVRAM on your model:

* Reboot system and enter the BIOS Setup by pressing F2.
* Turn on Caps Lock, Scroll Lock and Num Lock.
* Press ALT+ E then ALT+ F then ALT+ Bt

is it applicable to my type of computer, too? and is it worth a try?

thanks, Vohaul

Vohaul · Answer

Hi, again,
Following recommendation i found at NEC:

DvD Burner ND-Series - By every startup Windows XP reports
"New Hardware ND-Xx00A Found" and want to install actual drivers.
Pls. try following steps:
You need to choose to your "DRIVERS" folder.
Then change or delete the folder "MONITOR"
Switch to "C:WINDOWS"
Ensure that you have in windows explorer settings option
activated to see ALL data (also hided and system files)
Switch to "c:WINDOWSINF"
Look for the "INFCACHE.1" file and delete it
Switch to your desktop trash can and empty it
If problem cant be solved, pls. contact
manufacturer of your PC package.

despite, no folder named "monitor" could be found in DELL's driver section, i followed the instructions. but the problem is not solved yet...
i already contacted my manufacturer (DELL of course) - still no idea... very annoying, especially because i also have an external 2.0_USB NEC_ND2500 DVD-burner ... believe it or not - the installation of this device FAILS in the same manner...!!!

greetz, Vohaul

Skybird · Answer

Check your Registry per this Microsoft Article .............

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q314060

Apparently you have already deleted the device in the Device
Manager and rebooted and allowed Windows XP to auto detect and
install the drive.

Clearing NVRAM procedure is here ..........

http://www.the-predator.com/dell/sec11-0.html#11-0-2

But first, go into your BIOS and insure the drive is enabled there
and set to Auto.

And here are some other Articles for you to browse regarding Device
Detection. Some may be applicable to you.

http://www.the-predator.com/dell/detect.html

Vohaul · Answer

first of all: thx a lot for your help! but none of the advices was capable in solving this annoying problem with my nec nd-2100ad drive.

i wonder why i am the only one having trouble with this "unholy" firmware update? even dell technicians in suburban support did not manage to find a solution... so - my recommendation to all users of the nd2100 device is: keep hands off that firmware update, offered by dell.

meanwhile i have found a more "sophisticated" way to work around that prob... i've kicked warranty issues to (lol the word h..l is "invalid" hehe) PARADISE itself (what is a warranty worth, even if specialists fail in doing well??)and burned that crucifying nd2100ad down to a nd2500, with a firmware recently found elsewhere in the net... it works pretty fine since that!

i actually own 4 dell systems (optiplex, dimension and 2 inspiron notebooks for me and my employee), i have been working for 4 IT companies since 1998, all of them satisfied with dell computers (lot's of >25 systems)... maybe it's time for a change. Dell support 2004 is not Dell support 1998... it has grown worth... too much share holder values - too less quality - i assume - miracles happen, but i suppose - my NEXT system should not be a Dell... sorry about that!

greetings and with best whishes

Vohaul

Storage, Drives & Media

problem after firmware update with the nec nd-2100a +RW device

Was this post helpful?