RQ TSST TS-L632D 04 DVD-RAM flash

Hi all! Sorry if this is not the right forum for this thread but I am really desperate
I have some DVD-RAMs that hold some very important info for me...But the TSST drive on my Inspiron 1505 won't detect the dvds at all...So I wonder if it is at all capable of handling DVD-RAMs. Pls somebody help! What do I need to make it work?

 

As you can see from this page, your drive does not support DVD-RAM, nor will there be a firmware update to change that. Your best option would be to purchase an external USB DVD drive that mentioned DVD-RAM support on the box.

 

Thanks....At leas now I can stop looking

 

External drives are cheaper than you think...

 

I'm puzzled and confused! Did Dell cripple the TS-L632D that they are using? My TS-L632D supports DVD-RAM. See the attached summary from Nero InfoTool.

The TS-L632D is supported by Samsung's live update software. Samsung ODD live update .The live update software is here.

However, my firmware is SC03 which LiveUpdate says is the latest. Maybe Dell have customised the firmware and the Samsung Live Update won't work. But why remove functionality from an ODD?

John

 

The latest firmware listed for the drive on the Dell support website ( http://support.dell.com) is v.DE04 (Dell version A03 posted on 2/2/2007). The file is available for download at http://ftp.dell.com/rmsd/DE04-2.zip if you wanted to give it a try. The instructions for installing the firmware update are:

1. Unzip the files to a directory on your hard drive.
2. Double click on the flash utility (SFDWIN.exe).
3. Click on "Download File Open" button at left corner.
4. Click on DE04.bin to select it. Click on "Open".
5. Click on "Start Download" button at middle.
6. Click on "Restart Windows".
7. System will restart after flash is complete.

While I don't know for sure if the drive is supposed to support the DVD-RAM data format, I do know that Dell does not make any changes to the drives for use in our system.


Larry
Dell Customer Advocate

 

I recently purchased one of the TSST TS-L632D drives (Dell OEM) for the express purpose that it is listed from the manufacturer as supporting DVD-RAM. The DVD-RAM format is very useful for video editing, and is making a comeback with the advent of direct-to-DVD camcorders now popular with consumers. My mistake is that I downloaded the latest firmware from Dell rather than from the manufacturer (Samsung). The Dell firmware not only locks out that function capability, but it alters the drive's internal tag to prevent it from being recognised by the manufacturer for additional upgrade. I'm certain that there exists a work-around to this, but also realize that in the big business dealings of today that Samsung is not about to step on Dell's tag to offer that adjustment.

I would recommend that anyone who has the TSST TS-L632D drive which has not yet been upgraded to Dell's DE04 firmware to follow the threads which John Ratsey has posted to the manufacturer (Samsung) site and allow the live-update to install the latest manufacturer firmware (SC04 or SC05).

I have owned the Dell laptop for several years now, and have been frequently frustrated that various features have been shut down by Dell on the hardware products installed. I have had to resort to using other manufacturer computers (our household now has Compaq, HP, and Toshiba as well) in order to perform what should be relatively basic audio/video editing functions.

I understand the increased demands from questions of inexperienced users that either Technical Assistance or User Forums would need to address with the greater access to features, but judging from the number of posts regarding this issue, Dell had better step it up or risk loosing consumer support for their products. I see improvements being made, but urge for greater strides in this fast paced marketplace.

DC

 

This is unbelievably galling. I bought my TS-LD632d from ultradrives.com and now I find that I can't upgrade the firmware to change the cable-select setting, and to top it off I can't burn or read DVD-RAM!

If anyone has a work-around or idea about how to change the master/slave setting that would be peachy.

 

Possibility this may help. If you are brave, and can afford to replace your ODD if you mess up... try this... it worked for me!

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2515524#post2515524

JaY

 

Thanks! I wish I had seen this yesterday, as I just returned the drive for a replacement. I have a feeling this would not work with the Dell-flashed drives, since Dell actually flags the drive to be incompatible with any other firmware, although how this is done is unknown to me. It would have been good to attempt it though. I will pass this along to the folks at ultradrives.com

 

I was annoyed by the same problem.

I have (had (-; ) a DELL Latitude D620 with a TS-L632D and a DE04 firmware on it. The TSST website says that DVD RAM is supported by that drive model, but the Nero Info Tool says: "nope".

It's strange, since the tool "MediaCodeSpeedEdit" tool lists several MIDs for DVD-RAMs when examining the DELL DE04 firmware, however, in some way the DELL firmware suppresses DVD-RAM support.

Also, Windows XP displayed the drive as (drive letter "DVD-RW Drive" under My Computer, not as (drive letter "DVD-RAM Drive" as it does for my LG drive in my desktop PC.


I finally succeeded to cross-flash it with the SC04 firmware.
I read somewhere that you have to use an older version of SFDNWIN (3.25.X) to use the -nocheck option: SFDNWIN3.25.XX.exe -nocheck.

Indeed, the version 3.27 denied to flash the SC04 over the DE04 firmware, but 3.25 went into the "Nocheck mode". There is a related text displayed by the program, when the "Nocheck mode" is active.

You can find the tool and firmware at www.toshibaer.com.
Great site!

Windows now displays the drive as (drive letter "DVD-RAM Drive" in My Computer. DVD-RAM works fine now, and also DVD-R DL write support is now enabled (which was not the case before according to this site:
http://www.support.dell.com/support/edocs/storage/P117843/en/spec.htm
)!

Regards
Stepke

 

I am using a Dell D830 with a TS-L632H DVD Drive which is also unable to read/write DVD-RAM. Are there any experiences if I can also use the L632D firmware to enable DVD-RAM on my drive or are there any hardware specific issues to overcome?

Best regards
JJo

 

i have just tried the update software and it says the ts-l632d isnt supported

 

Google up use of the "-NOCHECK" option (and its use is at your own risk, so be careful). I've cross-flashed my TS-L632N several times. (It's now using SC03).

 

My 1720 came with that drive, but stopped burning anything after 2 weeks. From what I here that drive doesn't have the best quality record.

 

Yeah, I hate it too and thinking about switching it for an Optiarc/NEC. But on the real, I have some external FireWire drives I do my real burning with and hardly ever use the built-in drive, esp. for writing.