A couple of questions about my 15" T61 - 646066U

I have a couple of questions about my recently bought 15" T61 - 646066U:

(1) According to the information at http://www.sonynec-optiarc.eu/en/exhibits/slim-line-drives/ad-7910a.html
the Optiarc AD-7910A DVD RW in my T61 can write to DVD+-R discs at up to max 8X speed. However, I picked up a set of Fuji DVD-R discs last night and it says on the box that these 16X high-speed DVD-Rs cannot be reliably written to in 2X, 4X, or 8X DVD rewriters such as the one in my T61 even though these Fuji DVDs are rated for write speeds b/w 1X and 16X.

Is this true? Has anyone had problems writing to 1X-16X DVD+-Rs at the T61 DVD RW's max speed (of 8X)? Also, is it possible to upgrade the firmware of the Optiarc DVD-RW in my T61? This is one of the suggestions on the Fuji DVD-R box for writing to these new 16X high-speed standard discs.

Unfortunately, these 16X rated DVD-Rs were the only ones I was able to find irrespective of brand/manufacturer. And I desperately need to create the Vista recovery DVDs so that I can do a clean install of XP.

(2) Is there a (PDF) User's Guide or Manual for the 15" T61? Some/any document that goes over in detail about all the various functions, features, lights, switches, buttons, etc. on the T61??!! I looked at the support section on the lenovo.com website and all I found were drivers and instructions on downgrading Vista to XP and instructions on Product Recovery media.

Thanks!

 

The blue button on your t61 has an explorer for exploring the features of the t61.

I use my DVD also but I have not paid too much attention to it's writing speeds because I use it backups and I'm resigned to long backup times. When I use it, it works very well.

 

I've used (single layer) Memorex 16X -R, Verbatim 16X -R and Ryiah (sp?) 16X -R on my TP dvd burner at 8X speeds with no apparent problems.

 

I'm having the same problem as Art_Vandelay. I got some 16X Memorex DVD-R disc but the I am unable to write to them when creating recovery discs. Ended up creating 8 recovering CDs instead.

Art_Vandelay, did you find a solution to the DVD problem?

 

Unfortunately, Memorex is not a very good choice for media. I personally avoid anything made in Taiwan as the media (any brand) varies greatly in quality - even in the same spindle. Believe it or not, the Staples-branded DVDs are better rated than the majority of the big brand names like Memorex or Fuji. It all depends on the dye and casting.

You'd best be served with Tayo Yuden disks - a bit more expensive but well worth the cost - probably find them around $30 for a spindle of 50. Obviously not the best solution for everyday burning of something that you'll end up throwing away in a day or two...

I've got the same drive as the OP and I've yet to encounter any problems with 16x disks - but like I mentioned, I don't bother with the made-in-Taiwan stuff, because I know I'm setting myself up for disappointment - they're pretty much all "hit-n-miss".

 

I got around my problem by sticking to 8X DVD-Rs. I got a spindle pack of Taiyo Yuden 8X DVD-Rs and have had no problems with them.

 

I have the same problem with the Model Optiarc AD-7910A 1.D1.

The drive has trouble recognising the media you insert.

I doubt weather it's media related

There was a simmilar problem with AD-7170A, you can download a modified firmware update for it here:

http://liggydee.cdfreaks.com/page/en/Optiarc-AD-7170A

I wonder if it's not maybe the same problem. Unfortunately a modified driver hasn't been made for AD-7910A that I know of.

Does anyone here know where i could maybe find newer firmware? The latest one I can find is 1.D1 or maybe a fixed firmware version.

Thanx
G