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Firmware hack for 8x DL DVD burner...

post #1 of 35
8/29/04 at 12:31am
Thread Starter 
http://tdb.rpc1.org/#ND6500A

This is a unofficial firmware upgrade for our 6100a's that basically makes 'em 6500a's. Gives you + & - R/RW compatiblity, rip speed unlocked and other stuff. It's UNOFFICIAL, so use at your own risk. I ran it on my 6100 and it seems to work fine, but haven't tested on any -r disks yet.
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post #2 of 35
8/29/04 at 4:55am
May I ask you which one should I download?
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post #3 of 35
8/29/04 at 7:11pm
Thread Starter 
I used this one: RPC1 and 6100 @ 6500 firmware based on 2.22.

Uses dos to flash, but much safer than the windows flasher (which is beta).
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post #4 of 35
8/29/04 at 8:51pm
Anyone have any idea where to buy a NEC 6100-A aftermarket? I can't find one in the usual places, newegg, cdw,amazon etc. Anyone?
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post #5 of 35
8/29/04 at 8:52pm
I just ran the RPC1 with the windows flasher and it seemed to go off without a hitch.
DVDInfo says everything it's supposed to.
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post #6 of 35
8/29/04 at 9:26pm
I have an NEC 5500a...what are you guys talking about with all the 6100a references?
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post #7 of 35
8/29/04 at 9:54pm
the 6100-a is a plus rw only 8X Dual layer slimline drive capable of burning 8.5 gb on a single dvd+r. it can be flashed to a 6500-a to write plus and minus rw disks essentially for free.
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post #8 of 35
8/29/04 at 10:36pm
oh, i see...I must have a lesser part...did Dell start shipping the faster (6100a) drive by default since I got my 5500a in March? Jeez, I'm obsolete already...better sell this and buy another laptop...haha
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post #9 of 35
8/29/04 at 11:06pm
Thread Starter 
It was an option, a Dual layer 8x DVD writer. I got it so I could do Dual layer stuff down the road when they become more availalbe.

I also backed up my image off of my drive when I flashed it, did the windows flasher give you that option?
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post #10 of 35
8/30/04 at 12:01am
No it didn't, the only option it gave you was what drive you wanted to flash.
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post #11 of 35
8/30/04 at 1:18am
Whoa guys...umm I am curious once you flash...is it possible to revert back to the original settings? And how safe is it? Because i am very interested in getting a free umm "upgrade"? hehe
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post #12 of 35
8/30/04 at 1:26am
Umm sorry for another post but I accidentally clicked on send message. I am curious about what is being said in the README file about using DVD Genie...so does that mean that using Ahead Nero 6 ultra would cause problems? Am I interpreting this correctly? Or is it just to run DVD disks that I will need to have DVD genie? Anyone clarify for me please? Thanks
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post #13 of 35
8/30/04 at 1:37am
True suryad, this whole "upgrade" thing sounds very strange... I don't consider an upgrade being tied down with using these goofy ass "DVD Genie" programs. Lame. What does an "Upgraded" dvd burner do anyways... burn dvds a little faster or what?
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post #14 of 35
8/30/04 at 1:45am
I think the firm upgraded hardware just has a couple more capabilities...and I am not sure what they are but I guess they remove a few speed locks and is able to burn + and - dvdrs...if i am not mistaken. But I dont think I want to use DVD Genie as it seems to be kind of fishy to me. Anyone with more experience after having upgrade the firmware care to comment?
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post #15 of 35
8/30/04 at 3:13am
One of the features of this patch is that it converts the drive from a RPC-2 "protected" drive which only allows you to change your region 5 times, to a RPC-1 drive which is not region encoded. The issue with that is that with the drive not being region encoded the software doesn't know what region it is supposed to play, what DVD Genie does is basically tells the software what region the drive is.
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post #16 of 35
8/30/04 at 3:49am
I see devin thanks for the reply. SO that means that DVD Genie is only required to allow the dvd player to discern regional encodings and nothing more. And hence other functionality of the dvd player is going to remain intact besides the benefits and no troubles will arise from the upgrading of the firmware. Interesting. I think I will give it a shot.
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post #17 of 35
9/3/04 at 2:00am
I am about to give a try of the new flash of my 6100a. Please throw in your success stories of flashing the NEC 8X DL DVD+RW drive. I need encouragement to do it!!
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post #18 of 35
9/3/04 at 8:04am
I am a bit sceptic at first, but anyway, flashed from 6100A to 6500 firmware, it WORKS fine..now i can even burn dvd-r, no glitch whatsoever..its like a new drive...and i can watch any dvds with the region unlocked using PowerDVD 5, no need for any other software like Genie, etc...or maybe its just me?
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post #19 of 35
9/3/04 at 12:17pm
xterminator, did you use the windows flash, or the dos flash?
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post #20 of 35
9/3/04 at 1:07pm
I did the windows flash..not messy at all, no reboot required! i just unplugged the drive and reinsert without needing to reboot...cheers
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