Flashed ext. PPA Intl. Model 2230 (PL-3507 chipset)-now doesn't work

[themiragemaker]

Hi,

I have the PPA Intnl. Model #2230 External Combo Firewire & USB device with Prolific PL-3507 chipset with ROM updater v2.2.1 and flashed it with the latest firmware drivers for this device.

I checked and verified that they were the proper firmware drivers for this device.

Based on someone else's suggestions on another board - I flashed the PL-3507 chipset with ROM updater v2.04 with the older firmware first (Dt- 0904) and then used the latest ROM updater (v. 2.2.1) to update to the latest firmware (Dt- 120904) and it said update succesful.

The ROM file now successfully reads
ROM size: 32(KB)
FW ver.2004.12.09.200
Vendor ID: ATMEL
ChipID: BV512
Checksum: 35A8

Device manager says device works properly
The DVD drive (Sony DRU-510A) says its working properly.
I even then tried to flash the firmware on the DVD burner to the latest firmware (DRU-510A v.1.1) and it succesfully verified the drive by ejecting the tray and updating the firmware and saying update successful.

Everything seems absolutely fine, except I can't seem to read any disc through the drive anymore!!
Any computer whiz out there know what might be the problem?

PLEASE HELP!

big thx in advance.
-themiragemaker.

[glc]

Why did you flash the firmware?

[themiragemaker]

Well, I did some research cos I was having trouble with this external drive via Firewire or USB. It kept rebooting and was very unstable on windows Xp Pro

I did a little research and saw many other people had the same problem and their were many threads where users said flashing the drive changed everything and solved the rebooting problem.

That's the flashing part for the external enclosure (PPA Intnl. Model #2230 - Prolific PL-3507 chipset)

I flashed the DVD drive cos initially I had just flashed only the external enclosure and wasn't getting any response - so thought if I flashed the DVD drive perhaps that might help.
While it says update successful and the firmware technically should allow this burner now to even read 4X DL (Dual Layer) DVD media, it still hasn't helped in actually accessing the drive.

Everything seems ok except that I can't read any drive. both firmware updates said they were successful.

Any ideas?
-themiragemaker.

[themiragemaker]

Anyone?

[glc]

Remove the drive from the housing and hook it up on your IDE, see if it works. This will narrow it down to a drive or a housing problem.

[themiragemaker]

It is a housing problem. the drive works fine when connected internally via IDE interface.

Also when connected via the external enclosure through firewire or USB, device manager says this device is working properly.
The latest ROM flash updater reads the ROM file perfectly.
Everything seems perfect except when I put in any media in the drive it doesn't show up in explorer.
The drive shows up as DVD-RW drive J: but when I click the drive it says no disk inserted or something like that. The same dialog box you get if you try to open a drive with no media in it.

Any suggestions?

-themiragemaker.

[glc]

Replace the housing with one that has a different chipset.

[themiragemaker]

so are you saying the external enclosure is fried? I was trying to find if anyone knew how to fix this problem not replace it (because I just can't afford one right now) Any other suggestions?

-themiragemaker

[glc]

Why don't you check on your warranty coverage or the availability of a replacement adapter board?