Linux Format forums

GeordieJedi · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 3:04 pm Post subject: LG DVD drive, firmware upgrade

Hi again all. Whats new?

Ok, I finally fixed my broken DVD prob by....buying a new one from amazon.

Model No = HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GH22NP20.
GH22 is the important bit i think?

However my questions are these

1. The specs state that it's a x22 speed drive, but in K3b the best I can get is
x8 speed. I was wondering if it only reaches x22 with some "special" driver
software in Windows?

Once AGAIN Vi$ta is not recognising the drive at all. device manager has its
little exclamation mark next to the drive. So after doing a little bit of digging
around on some forums, it seems that there's a firmware "fix" for this.
So my next question is...

2. It it worth trying the firmware u/g in windows? (As it seems to be working
fine in lInux).

Thanks for any help.

Dutch_Master · LXF regular Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:49 am Posts: 2359

1) It's not only the drive, but more importantly the disk that determines the actual writing speed. Try another disk that's spec'd at 22x speed.

2) It's normal Vi$ta doesn't recognise new hardware. In fact, I'm surprised it actually recognises hardware at all Wink

Unless you really need that drive in Win-OS, don't bother upgrading.

GeordieJedi · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 3:24 pm Post subject:

Cheers Dutch_Master,

I have to admit, I totally forgot about the disc speed factor, Embarassed

.
After checking my spindle of discs, they are indeed "only" 8x
double Embarassed

GeordieJedi · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:36 pm Post subject:

Ok, even more wierdness...

I've managed to find find the firmware upgrade, however.......

When I unzipped it, and tried to install it I received an error message telling
me that it couldn't find an ATAPI device!!

I've done a LOT of searching around the net and LG don't seem to have any
drivers from their own products.

I have managed to find this =
http://www.bioticaindia.com/hl-dt-st-dvd-ram-gh22np20.html

(I'd just, really like my DVD drive to work in both LInux AND WinBlow$.
I dont think its too much to ask?)

towy71 · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 11:30 am Post subject:

Vista has a well known bug about losing optical drives, it happened on my seldom used vista installation and the fix involves deleting some entries using regedit* or some such b*llocks Rolling Eyes

*clicky

edited for bad spelling Embarassed

_________________
still looking for that door into summer

GeordieJedi · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 2:46 pm Post subject:

Fantastic!
Cheers Towy. I'll give it a blast and let you know how I get on Very Happy

[Edit]

Awesome!
Well that went better than expected.....
Vi$ta now recognises my dvd drive, I can now play Cd's and Dvd's once
again. (I think I might need to re-install Nero again, but I can totally live with
that).

@ Towy
You Sir, are a legend.

It's Very much appreciated. Very Happy