HP 840b broken?

[Ayanamiel]

I got this computer back in March, the writer was already installed. It stopped working suddenly about a week and a half ago when I tried to burn a data disk. I'm wondering wether this is a software/driver/etc. problem or if it's just busted. The software I've been using is Nero 7.

It happens when I try an audio cd, too. The buffer drops completely, anywhere from 25% to 75%. Here's a log of what ultimately happens.

3:32:30 PM #24 SPTI -1119 File SCSIPassThrough.cpp, Line 290
E: CdRom3: SCSIStatus(x02) WinError(0) NeroError(-1119)
Sense Key: 0x04 (KEY_HARDWARE_ERROR)
Sense Code: 0x09
Sense Qual: 0x00
CDB Data: 0x2A 00 00 02 54 80 00 00 20 00 00 00
Sense Area: 0x70 00 04 00 00 00 00 0E 00 00 00 00 09
Buffer x04d60000: Len x10000
0xFF FB 92 0C CC 80 02 E1 34 D6 81 EC 62 E2 5E 25
0x2B 00 3D EF 4C 4B A8 BB 62 07 BD 89 81 86 15 AC
0x00 FC 3D 30 3C 70 FA 23 45 DD DB 19 C1 AC 4C 8D

3:32:30 PM #25 CDR -1119 File Writer.cpp, Line 302
Track following error
E: HP DVD Writer 840b

3:32:30 PM #26 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 228
all writers idle, stopping conversion

3:32:30 PM #27 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 222
conversion idle, stopping reader

3:32:30 PM #28 CDR -201 File WriterStatus.cpp, Line 200
Invalid write state
E: HP DVD Writer 840b

3:32:30 PM #29 TRANSFER -18 File WriterStatus.cpp, Line 200
Could not perform EndTrack

I've tried burning at various speeds, tried using different files, even tried new media. Nothing.

Can anyone lend a hand? I'd really prefer not to have to buy a new drive, but if I have no choice then I guess thats just the way it is.

[redwudz]

You tried different media, that's the first thing. Another possibility, though it shouldn't cause your problem, is the DMA/PIO mode the writer is in. This usually only causes a slowdown, though. You can check it this way: To check DMA/PIO mode within Windows:

Control Panel>System>Hardware>Device Manager>IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers.

From there, right click on one of the channels and choose 'Properties>Advanced Settings'. All drives should be DMA mode. The 'Current Transfer Mode' for Hard drives is usually DMA 4-6 and DVD burners DMA 2-4, DVD ROMs usually DMA 2. If you see any in PIO mode, that can slow things down. MS says Windows will default to PIO mode after 6 consecutive read failures.

Changing them back may be easy or complicated. First see if you can change them in that window. If not, I usually right click on the channel the drive is on and uninstall the channel, then let the OS reinstall it by rebooting the computer. This will not damage any files on the computer.

If that is not the problem, the next is your burning program. Try burning using an ISO type program or a different burning program than Nero. Or at least uninstall Nero, use the Nero Clean Tool to remove all remnants, then reinstall.

If you still get nowhere, try updating the firmware of the burner. Next and last, clean the laser lens, in case there is dirt on it. I doubt that is the problem, though from what you describe. But you have little to lose.

After all that, still a problem, replace the burner as there is little more to try. If you can substitute the burner or try it on a different machine, that's one more check

[Ayanamiel]

Thanks for the reply.

I tried everything except cleaning the lens, because I don't have a cleaner handy. No luck.

Any other ideas, by chance?

[Ayanamiel]

I thought I'd bump this once, just as a last measure before giving up completely.

[ofbarea]

The HP840b is a rebagged LG 4166B.

You could try a firmware upgrade and x-flash your drive to LG 4166B.

But I think you should try clearing the drive's lenses first.

[Ayanamiel]

and x-flash your drive to LG 4166B.

Could you explain this a little further?

[ofbarea]

This will be considered a last resource because once you have flashed to LG 4166B your drive will not be recognized as a HP drive, but as a LG 4166B unit. This mean your bundled software may stop working and it will think that you replaced your unit. Also you cannot go back to HP firmware anymore. This is not necessary a bad thing, it just something to keep in mind.

Different firmwares may have different write strategies for different media. This sometimes could help with problems related to write strategies.

Be aware that this will invalidate your warranty. So use it as your last resource. Try cleaning lens first . Just open it up and clean the drive head off with some alcohol and a q-tip, let dry for a few minutes.

If the DVD laser stopped working and you are not under warranty you will have to replace the drive anyway...

The x-flash process is simple you will have to flash your drive to an special version of LG firmware. You should flash to version 1.01 using the flash engine from GSA's firmware version 1.00, and then flash to the official 1.02.

Get these files from here: http://italianjob.ifrance.com/

One final silly comment, double check that you have DMA enabled for your drive and try good quality media.

Check this thread for more details: http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=187830