Hello everyone, new poster here, longtime reader. :)

I just got a TDK 40/12/48B and I've been having issues. Basically it burns a audio cd, and the first couple tracks are trashed. I've tried at different speeds as well and different media and its still garbage. Didnt have the same problem with my TDK 24/10/32. Anyways, I went to update my firmware and mine wont update. Check this out, my firmware is version Z7SB and the updater will only update Z7S1-Z7SZ

What the heck is going on? I've tried older firmware, but the oldest I can get is Z7S1 and it give the same error. I'm really frustrated and I've done a search, any help?

Hi effgee
Yours is the early Firmware which was only released on the USA version (Velo ) And not the Europe Version (Cyclone)and yet there is no noticed difference except the name and of course the Z7SB firmware as most of the early Cyclones came with the Z7S2. I have not come across anyone having problems with the New firmware Yet so I suggest you go to :-
http://www.tdk-europe.com/cyclone/uk/support/upgrading/401248B
and try the Z7S5 version there and see if this makes a difference ! But I do suggest your dissable DMA and any AntiVirus Software untill you have done the Firmware Upgrade!!!
I hope this Helps !!!

Laffin Assassin

Always remember to Pillage BEFORE you Burn

(in reply to effgee)

This firmware just like any that I have downloaded give me the same error about not recognizing my firmware version. I redownloaded that firmware, same error. I'm getting so frustrated.

(in reply to effgee)

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
----------
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:

-----------------
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
--------------------------------

-----------------
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:
------------
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

(in reply to effgee)