My LiteOn LDW 401S is now a dual-format LDW411S

[Skid]

Curiousity got the better of me. Today I flashed my LDW-401S to a
dual-format LDW-411S. Same hardware, different firmware.

I'd always gotten flawless +R burns with 4X Verbatim and was very happy with
the drive's performance. After reprogramming the EEPROM and flashing to
firmware FSOF for the 411S, just released today, I've been able to get
several perfect -R burns using Memorex 4X (the first thing I could get my
hands on at Staples.)

Reports from others in the LiteOn forum at CDfreaks suggest the new firmware
seriously improves -R compatibility, with many brands that didn't work
before burning OK now.

Anyone with a 411S should definitely update to FSOF.

Those with a 401S should understand that the dual-format upgrade is not for
the faint of heart. You need to carefully follow the instructions using
exactly the files and utilities specified or it won't work and you could be
left with a non-functioning drive. If you don't have a good reason to need
more than +R, don't risk it.

LiteOn has done its best to scrub the net to remove the information and
utilities necessary. The company paid -R royalties only for the 411S, and
doesn't want the legal hassles and support issues from mass flashing of
older single-format drives to newer, more expensive, dual-format burners.

If you're willing to take the risk to "flash your 401S to a 411S", you can
find the path to enlightenment with a simple Yahoo search, as I did.

[Derek MacKeddie]

This link might give clues as to how to accomplish it:

http://forum.alcohol-software.com/index.php?showtopic=7091&hl=liteon

--
Cheers,
Derek,

"75% of statistics are made up on the spur of the moment"

[Jurjen]

This really does work, but my experience so far with the -R burning
isn't that good. If i burn a movie on a DVD+R all goes well, but if i
burn it on a DVD-R
then my pc can't read the dvd when it's playing for an hour nor does
my standalone dvdplayer which can read DVD-R.(I tried it in various
DVD players;no luck) I use Princo DVD-R 4X and Memorex DVD+R 4X

[Derek MacKeddie]

The message <22a0bfbf.03121...@posting.google.com>
from jurje...@hotmail.com (Jurjen) contains these words:

> This really does work, but my experience so far with the -R burning
> isn't that good. If i burn a movie on a DVD+R all goes well, but if i
> burn it on a DVD-R

>snip<

The latest firmware is supposed to make a *big* difference to being
able to burn readable DVD-Rs with a 411s.
HTH,

--
Cheers,
Derek,

"Of course I've got a balanced personality,I've got a chip on both shoulders"

[Skid]

"Derek MacKeddie" <agri...@zetnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:200312122...@zetnet.co.uk...

> The message <22a0bfbf.03121...@posting.google.com>
> from jurje...@hotmail.com (Jurjen) contains these words:
>
> > This really does work, but my experience so far with the -R burning
> > isn't that good. If i burn a movie on a DVD+R all goes well, but if i
> > burn it on a DVD-R
> >snip<
>
> The latest firmware is supposed to make a *big* difference to being
> able to burn readable DVD-Rs with a 411s.
> HTH,

I immediately flashed to the latest, FSOF, after the conversion. I have
since burned dozens of DVD-R discs without any problems or a single coaster.
All read fine in my two PC drives and two standalones, and those of the few
friends I can trust with loaner discs.

At this point I consider the experiment a success, and my new 411S a fine
dual-format drive.

My son performed the same operation, with the same good results. Between us
we have tried a half-dozen different -R media types and had no problem with
any of them.