Pioneer DVR-104

I have a Pioneer DVR-104 DVD-R/W drive. I went to buy some new DVD-R media and the package was certified for 4x drives. I have a 2x drive, so the package suggested upgrading the firmware because of a laser burnout issue on these drives with ill firmware. I did the update to the 1.40 firmware but now everything I burn either stops working half way through or not at all. Prior to this NOTHING was ill I was a burning genious. EVERYTHING worked. I believe I had the 1.35 firmware on my drive, but I have no ability to find it. Does anyone have an OEM DVR-104 drive with that version? Or, do you folks have any clue what I can do to fix this. I use Nero, Easy CD, and DVD X Copy Xpress.

I found this on Pioneer's website:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/hs/update.html

Basically, it says that new "...firmware version for the DVR-A04 and DVR-104 is version 1.32."

Looks like there are utilities available to check your model and firmware version. I suppose it is possible that you downloaded the wrong firmware. Your firmware should be located here.

Hope this helps out.

http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=298

upon doing a google search for pioneer dvr-104 firmware, i found many other people that had ill problems after the upgrade to the 1.40 firmware. the link i have above has firmware for both the dvr-104 and dvr-103 going back to the 1.20 versions of the firmware. i chose the 1.31 firmware (also called the 2x for all). where the firmware forces the burner to burn at 2x for any media whether it be 1x or 2x media. the REALLY cheap 1x did not work, but all my 2x's are obviously fine. my burner is actually working again. i think pioneer needs to spend more time researching. that update (1.40) hosed dvd movie, ps2 backups, vcds, and svcds. frustrating. but now WORKING (1.31).

Flashing any firmware or bios is a fraught business .... ALWAYS have the original firmware/bios on hand for 'unexpected' consequences ...

There's almost (?) always a notice warning you about firmware/bios flashes going 'screwey', not to power off etc, but I suppose its like licensing agreements .... everyone just clicks 'next' ...... :rolleyes: ;) :D

... if there's an option in the flash process to save your 'old' firmware/bios ... use it ! or lose it ...

Hey trippinfool,
I got the same drive and updated as well to 1.40. I never burned with the original version. I basically updated it as soon as I go it. My dvd movie backups wont play unless it’s in the dvd-rom drive on the pc. My PS2 backups load and then is stuck in a black screen. Have you been having these types of “hosed” problems and should I downgrade to 1.31 as you have?

Quote:

---

Originally posted by PacMan
Hey trippinfool,
I got the same drive and updated as well to 1.40. I never burned with the original version. I basically updated it as soon as I go it. My dvd movie backups wont play unless it’s in the dvd-rom drive on the pc. My PS2 backups load and then is stuck in a black screen. Have you been having these types of “hosed” problems and should I downgrade to 1.31 as you have?

---

Without a doubt. Also if you read up on the firmware we have been blessed with, some are tailored to specific DVD-R media for even more precise burning. I wonder if that was the case with the PS2 backup that I made with the 1.40 firmware, but I had the exact some issue with the backup that you had mentioned. I run the 1.31 2x4all. (It forces all media to burn at 2x, but I haven't got 1xers working yet.) 2x is great. Pioneer is going to not have happy tech support people in their optical storage division!

How did you downgrade? I just checked, I have 4.1, not 4.0. So I cant use the 4.0 to 3.1 downgrade..

How did you do it?

I got 2 dvd-r coasters already...errr....


***edit***
Wait,
You say the 1.31 forces to burn at 2x? I got DVDpro media which are 1x. So it wouldn’t be good for me to go that route and not be able to burn at 2x cause of the media…?

Maaaan.. you think updating the firmware would be a good thing :rollseyes:
I wish I never upgraded. An All this time I thought it was my mod-chip or burning software settings…

If you follow the links from the page I referenced earlier, you can download the 1.40 to 1.31 downgrade package all together. It worked for me. Classic last words...

You can accomplish a downgrade of the firmware. You need to find a "hacked" copy of the upgdvd.exe executable. The hyperlink in my previous post above should permit that. There are also links to check your current version.

On a different note, the 2x4all firmware I used is also available where it doesn't force the drive to always run at the faster speed. I just like to use DVD X Copy Xpress and I wanted the best performance from it. I can rip and burn a DVD to DVD copy in under an hour...nice.

Guys,

Check out this link, it has all pioneer firmware http://www.dvd-recordable.org/module...download&sid=1

Plus loads of other stuff on the site.