I've have the exact same problem with the weird Z7SB firmware. Here's some banter I've had with the TDK folks:
My Message
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1.) No cd I burn with this drive reads properly in pioneer slot drives
(Which I have 4 of in this office). I'm thinking this has something to
do with the way the burner burns data. When I burn with this recorder
on the physical cd I see strands of data (probably where the burner was
burning at different speeds at). I don't see this effect with any other
burner and the cds I burn with other burners read fine on the pioneer
slot drives.
2.) I was thinking that maybe a firmware upgrade would help since it
introduces a new recording method (P-CAV). Which is offered here:
http://www.tdk-europe.com/cyclone/uk/support/upgrading/401248B Why don't you offer this on your US website?
However the drive reports itself as a CDRW401240B (with a firmware
version of "Z7SB") instead of a CDRW40148B preventing me from running the
firmware upgrade as it gives me the error:
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ERROR:
Can't found CDRW401248B firmware: Z7S1-Z7SZ drive!
This Flash utility only supports CDRW401248B firmware: Z7S1-Z7SZ
Detected Drives:
-------------------------------
1-1-0 : TDK CDRW401240B Z7SB
2-0-0 : SanDisk ImageMate II 1.30
--------------------------------
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Please reply as soon as possible to my problem.
For reference please refer to these urls:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&threadm=uco7t7hea0bea0%40news.supernews.com&rnum=1&prev=/groups%3Fhl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26q%3D40%252F12%252F48b%26sa%3DN%26tab%3Dwg These guys have the same firmware version I do:
http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=128&page=Features PC Speed : 600 MHZ P3
RAM : 896 MB
Operating System : Windows XP Professional
Program : Nero
PC Type : Asus P2B-LS (Intel 440BX Chipset)
Method of Recording : HDD to VeloCD
Media Type : GQ 40X Media
Priority : Normal
Their Reply:
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Dear Valued TDK Customer,
Thank you for taking the time to correspond with us. We are currently
working on firmware for several veloCD models that do not have firmware
currently available. Please check the
www.tdk.com website periodically
for product updates.
We would not recommend trying to apply firmware that is not specific to
the model of the veloCD that you own.
You should always use the CD-R/RW media recommended by TDK.
Recommended Media Supported by TDK:
CD-R 32X: TDK, CMC, Taiyo Yuden, Maxell
CD-R: 24X: TDK, Taiyo Yuden, Mitsui Chemical, Mitsubishi Chemical,
Ricoh, Ritek, Princo
CD-R 16X, 12X, 8X, 4X, 1X: TDK,Hitachi Maxell, Fuji Film, Pioneer
Video, Kodak
CD-RW: 4X, 2X: TDK, Mitsubishi Chemical, Ricoh
CD-RW: 10X-4X (high speed): TDK, Mitsubishi Chemical, Ricoh
If the problem persists after trying alternate media, you will need to
contact us directly at 1-866-629-3893 so that we may actively
troubleshoot the problems you are having with the drive. Our technicians are
available to assist you 7 days a week, from 7:00am-5:30pm(PST).
Thank You,
Tech Support