I too would like the upgrade.  I searched the Dell site, and don't see any upgrade information.  Any one have any news on this?  If you're listening Dell, how about posting an answer on this site.

I called Dell tech support on this issue yesterday.  While they tried to be helpful, they wound up just giving me the number for Philips customer support and when I called the number was no longer working and I received a message suggesting I send an email or fax.

I am rather disappointed on this issue.  On the other hand, I have the computer for about 6 months now and it was the first time I had to actually call Dell's tech support.

Sorry I don't have better news.

 Hi we also have the dreaed dvdrwd01 recorder and are hoping for some firm ware so we can use dvd+r disc which are less expensive

anyone have any luck

Hi we called Dell and they are sending a tech out with a new phillips dvd+rw/+r drive they apologized for putting the wrong recorder in our Dell bought Jan 2002 and that is why it wont do dvd+r media I didnt argue with him because we had thought we were getting a recorder that does play both in the beginning but they sent us a dvd+rw-01

So Dell made good to us sending us the new phillips

Did anyone tried the upgrade for Philips DVDRW208K ?

This drive has the same parameters as the OEM DELL Philips DVD+RW-D01.

http://www.cdr.cz/dvd_rekordery/philips/firmware/dvdrw208/0207190020_fus.exe

Try at your own risc ;-))

I believe the Dell DVD+RW-D01 is known as the Philips DVDRW208 and as the Philips DVD6001 IDE. The bottom line is that this device does not appear capable of using DVD-R Media.
The latest firmware is Version 1.61 and the file is called M5a04161.bin with a creation date of Feb 15, 2002 (aka in European Conventions, 15/02/2002). This driver is for the following Philips DVD Drives:
1.PHILIPS DVD6001
2.PHILIPS DVD+RW-D01
3.IDE-DVD DVDRW6001
4.PHILIPS DVDRW1208
Dell DVD Consumers and I are using the same family of DVD products since they all use the same driver.
My DVD was purchased at a computer show in Connecticut by a person known for selling Dell equipment. I have not tried to use the DVD or the firmware. I am simply returning my DVD to the retailer since it is clear to me that this drive will not burn DVD-R. I build my own systems and is not Dell based. My DVD is Model Number DVD+RW-D01 and does not match the picture shown in the Philips DVD Hardware Spec. The DP/N (Dell Part Number?) is 06M479. 

Try these links:
http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/dcbint?mode=files&modname=DVDRW208K%2F00&moddesc=DVD%2BRW200Series+-+Internal+DVD+Rewriter+DVD%2BRW+2.4x8x+%2F+CD-R%2FRW+12x10x32x&moreList=0¤tIndexName=0&index_val=0&searchstring=DVDRW208&confval=DVDRW208&country=&prevcy=&totrec=2&lang=eng&screen=&tmplt=&s=ccc

http://www.p4c.philips.com/mprdata/020627/0206270131_pss.pdf

http://www.p4c.philips.com/mprdata/020627/0206270131_pss.pdf

Does anyone know where to download the new firmware?  I have spoken with tell numerous times and they keep telling me to use DVD+RW disks, well why doesn't the product they sold me work with DVD+R like they said?

-Karson

kkall1@lsu.edu

Ok,

THis is what I found out is going on:

Dell sold the Phillips DVD+RW-D01 drive claiming it burns DVD+RW & DVD+R, only you find it only burns DVD+RW.  The Phillips DVD+RW-D01 is called the Phillips DVDRW208 or DVD6001 IDE.   Reason. OEM!  Now, Dell does have a drive that will do DVD+RW (Writables & rewritables) Called the DVD+RW+R.  Now this is not a normal item you see at Circuit City, etc.   Turns out Phillips does not produce the DVD+RWD01 like it used to becasue it does not work on R's.  There are no patches or fixes for the DVD+RW-D01.  The only thing you can do with this is write to RW's. Now if you purchased a DVD+RW and spent over $2000.00 on your machine (8200 & up series) it came with this DVD+RW+R even though it is called the DVD+RW.  I am in the process of trying to return my Phillips DVD+RW-D01 to dell, due to the fact that I bought this drive on the basis of using it for DVD+R.   Hope this helps.

Hi we had a tech out here in 2 days switching our dvd+rw-d01 for the next generation dvd+rw/+r d28 due in fact to problems stated above

I didnt pay a thing but be  warned that the sonic software sent in the 8200 series  does not support DVD+R media I called dell and was told that they dont ship there new drives with software that supports DVD+R just DVD+RW so I purchased ULEAD Movie Factory then went to there site and got the Patch for DVD+R media and it works great on burning DVD+R  Also I did check with sonic and found no such patch for there software

I recently had my D01 replaced - it simply stopped working and locked up my system...

How do I know if it is the newer version and will burn to DVD+R media?  is there any visiible markings, different model number etc.?