Unofficial JVC XR-W2080 Support Page

Badged models, problems and Firmware Guide

News and Rumours: Last edit: 12/05/01
Adaptec's licence to use the Gracenote CDDB (tm) has expired.
Lookups by ECDC 4 leave your CD Tracks identified by this message, and very difficult to re-update.
Gracenote sue ROXIO for using FREEDB in ECDC 5, ROXIO dismiss it as "sour grapes" at losing their custom.
Advice at the FREEDB site works for me in redirecting lookups - but another user found it did not.
CD Spin Doctor (ECDC 4 Deluxe) is the only ROXIO/Adaptec component (in ECDC 4) which allows you to update an already identified CD.
Gracenote's press release ROXIO challenges

In other news, until I have time to fully cover this and revamp the layout to multipage...
Some site features are/were unavailable (Messageboard/Guestbook/Counter) due to eFront Media cutting off most of the sites (including ByteCenter) who hosted with them - ByteCenter will return!
The only good thing about eFront, is the Freeware PowerArchiver program, although it looks like they are pulling sponsorship for that - victims of the drop in ad revenues, or architects of their own doom by their reportedly poor treatment of their "cash cow" webmasters.
POWERARCHIVER - GET IT! - voted "Pricelessware" by the members of alt.comp.freeware

Announcing: The JVC XR-W2080 emergency bootloader
Activated by holding EJECT during power-up, the drive will drop into JVC XR-W2080 bootloader mode - even drives which are 4080 based use the same loader. This allows re-flashing an apparently lost drive, with two drives already saved by this method so far.
Thanks to a messageboard poster for this tip!

And finally - The JVC 2.53 loader seems to be locked to a JVC drive identity - to load 2.53 firmware to a drive with one of the other identities, either activate bootloader mode, or use the loader from the Smart & Friendly firmware.

I would also like to congratulate ROXIO on rectifying that disaster of an update website they had at the beginning of the year. The current update site is a little "busy" in appearance but functional otherwise. A top-level breakdown into English and "International" would improve it greatly.

PS. Samsung Digimax 800k camera - I now have one of these, expect some pictures, and an in-depth including how to swap their dismal driver for one which makes it act like a proper digital camera, with thumbnail download, selection and selective deletion. If you need help with this, or the Jenoptik JD12, or any of the other re-brands of the basic Minton model that these are derived from, ask me, or wait for the site!
The lens trim may vary, but if it looks similar, then it probably is one!

(26/09/00)
Smart and Friendly are gone, but the people behind it have a new operation: Malibu Technologies
Philips CDD3801 (the OTHER main 2x2x24 mechanism) - firmware 1.7e released.
Flash utility for JVC 2080 drives unusable in Win2k.
Reports that 2.53 firmware (maybe 2.51 as well) resolves Secondary Slave problems.
"Silent" re-release of Windows Media Player 7 (file version 7.0.0.1956) resolves Adaptec install conflicts.
Complete a questionnaire at Adaptec to download all 12 extra Jewel Case themes in one go.
Feurio updated to 1.51, Disc Juggler to 3.00.730
Adaptec "D" update to ECDC 4.02 troublesome over "C" update or if menu option was not installed.
Internet Explorer 5.5 conflict with Adaptec menu in System Tray prevents auto-disconnect.
(30/7/00)
Hi-Val back - and reports that they are providing support.
80 Minute CD overburn test with Feurio - 82:00 reported.
(07/07/00) Hi-Val Down, unconfirmed reports of bankruptcy - Local copy of 2.06 added.
Smart and Friendly also reported to be dead, after much uncertainty

Overburn Success reported with 2.51/2.53 - Feurio works if you use the Creative 4224 driver
JVC FTP server open - some firmware, but more at Pacific Digital
2.53 Firmware for JVC models XR-W2080, XR-W2082, RW2224 available from Pacific Digital (link from my drive list)
Some reports of sensitivity to media type - It may be easier to collate reports via the guestbook.
SAF 2.47 firmware troublesome, Creative 2.51 excellent, JVC 2.53 newer but untested

-= Jump to section =- Disclaimer, please read! DCD trouble under SAF 2.47 Drive Specifications Questions and Answers All Cds detected as Audio Drives and Firmware More identification Update Now! Adaptec updates - direct

Other Features - Guest Book, Forum, Email, About me

Please remember, this is a personal site, a one-man effort based mostly on my own trials and tribulations with a Hi-val H2242.
If I can help, I'll try to, but there are no guarantees, and definitely NO RESPONSIBILITY ACCEPTED.
New multi-page site under construction, a re-work of this, plus much new and more general material - please be patient.

SAF 2.47 fails DCD Format

• Writing to RW media using EZCD Creator appears to be fine, as is the erase function.
• Formatting a CD-RW with DirectCD (any version) seems to be impossible.
  • The process fails in the first five minutes (typically) of the erase or configuration pass
  • DCD3 reports - "Device Not Ready" - your only recourse is to shut down and power off, attempting a reboot will fail to detect the Writer, and any other device on the channel.
  • DCD2.5 just hangs, the counter failing to update, the system also hung.
  • The mouse pointer still moves, but that's all - try the CAPS LOCK on the keyboard, if the CAPS LOCK INDICATOR does not change, it's hung!
• A quick format appears to work, but overall reliability is unproven.
• This may be configuration dependent - more research is required.

  30/05/00 - SAF 2.47 bad, Creative 2.51 good

• Occurs in both Primary Slave and Secondary Master positions
• The only higher firmware, Creative 2.51, appears to be satisfactory, but:
  The Creative loader will not load to any other drive.
• The SAF loader appears happy to load anything.
• JVC 2.53 (see Pacific Digital) is now confirmed as satisfactory, and does work with DirectCD (see JVC)

Questions and Answers
1. Drive sometimes not detected at Startup
   • Observed to happen if drive is Secondary Slave
     • Use Secondary Master, or Primary Slave
     • Secondary Slave problem is reported to be cleared by 2.53 firmware
2. "Any CD inserted appears to be an Audio CD"
   The CD Player runs, and will indicate DATA or no CD
   • Incompatibility between firmware version 2.06 and the Adaptec UDF Reader, installed manually, or by DirectCD 3.
     • Uninstall the UDF Reader, or delete/rename the file UDFREADR.VXD in WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IOSUBSYS - and if renamed, .VXD must not appear in the name.
       • Removing the UDF Reader means you cannot read DirectCD formatted media in your CD-ROM drive, only in the ReWriter
     • Update your drive firmware or replace the drive with a different model
       • Finding later firmware can be difficult, many makers are extremely lax in releasing any. See the firmware list for possible choices
   • A few CDs do appear ok sometimes, but will generally not be reliable.
     Writing while this problem occurs is unlikely to be successful
   • This problem has been reported with other drive types, although nothing like as frequently
3. Cannot format DirectCD
   • This has been observed with SAF 2.47 firmware, fails within 5 minutes.
     • The only known solutions are to load 2.06 firmware and accept the UDF reader problem, or force-load Creative 2.51 firmware using the SAF loader
     • JVC 2.53 (see Pacific Digital) may also be a solution
4. What's my firmware version?
   • Bring up SYSTEM PROPERTIES from CONTROL PANEL (Windows key/Pause is a shortcut)
   • Choose DEVICE MANAGER, then expand the CDROM section, choose your Writer, Properties and then the Settings tab.
5. What do the other settings on the Settings tab do?
   • Disconnect is really a SCSI parameter, but would normally be selected - software expects it to be so
   • Sync Data Transfer is another SCSI parameter, usually off, but improvement in audio extraction speed is reported with some software if enabled
   • Auto Insert Notification - Enable a CD to be detected and auto-run if applicable
     • Must be enabled for DirectCD or other "packet write" programs to gain control of an inserted UDF CD
     • Will cause failures with many CD mastering programs - Adaptec's will disable it as required and this may well be standard on most others.
     • If not disabled, manually or automatically, when the TOC is written, the CD will be accessed, spoiling the write.
       This happens at the start for DAO, and at the end for TAO.
   • DMA enables IDE bus mastering - a performance gain with suitable drivers, or a major cause of problems
     • Microsoft Drivers (Win95B/OSR2 or better) for Intel chipsets are usually good
     • Intel Drivers (download) for Win95/A are a possible problem - support for devices other than Hard Disk is limited
     • Other drivers - take your pick! It's usually worth looking for later drivers.
6. I don't have 2.06 firmware!
   • Earlier firmware was typically 1.15 (last 1.x release)
   • Later firmware has been through several 2.x versions, although few have actually been seen
   • Firmware for these drives does not normally have a letter revision - at least not a displayed one. If you have lettered firmware, or a major number greater than 2, it is likely that you do not have a 2080 based drive
7. The Hard Disk access light stays on
   • It tends to stay on at startup, between the drive being detected and the time Windows loads the drivers
   • It may stay on after shutdown - so long as Windows has completed shutdown, don't worry.
   • This appears to be better with later firmware.
8. OT: Mustek / Plug & Scan EPP Scanner (1200CP) degrades system response
   • Symptom: Mouse freezes at regular intervals - I would not trust CD writing under these conditions
   • Cure: Remove the Direct Scan or Watch application from Startup

I'm convinced..... How do I update?
You have read the disclaimer - go back if you have not.
If your drive is still under warranty, you may prefer to complain to the manufacturer, and possibly to your local trading standards department, since the drive is arguably not fit for purpose if it cannot work with standard software and requires remedial work to do so

I repeat again, only use non-original firmware in order to resolve a problem, not just for the sake of a version update. Always look for your own maker's firmware first!
Also be aware that it can be difficult to lower a firmware version - the loader may reject it.

Another point to beware of - if any software is keyed to a particular drive identity, then changing the firmware to another maker's may disable the software. Retail and ordinary OEM bundle versions should normally be ok, but some more unusual package versions may not be.

1. If you have the UDF Reader conflict, disable the UDF Reader as described earlier
2. Configure the system with the drive as single Secondary Master
   • Set the drive jumper to Master
   • Attach it to the second IDE cable as the only drive
   • Be sure to set the port mode to AUTO or PIO 3 in System BIOS
3. In Windows, Deselect DMA for the drive
4. Ensure that there is no CD in the drive
5. Unpack the update with a ZIP program, or self-extract
   • It will contain an EXE file (the installer)
   • A text file (Readme!)
   • A firmware file, name as follows
     • T (2080 numbered) or V (4080 numbered)
     • 2 character manufacturer code
     • 3 digit (read as n.nn) firmware version
     • "a.hex"
   • Remember that Creative Vcr144a.hex is 1.44 firmware for a 4080 and 2.51 for a 2080
     • The same number relationship occurs in the SAF (1.40/2.47) and Memorex (1.37/2.44) - just add 1.07 each time
6. When you run the installer
   • Start from a fairly clean running system, as some programs, particularly DOS games, may impair stability - reboot first
   • Select the drive
   • Select the firmware file
   • EDC should be selected (Error detection code?)
   • Just hope that there are no power cuts and do not interfere until the update completes
7. Return drives to your preferred configuration after completing the update
8. You may have to re-install software (I didn't) or re-test device speeds etc. (I did)
9. If you had disabled the UDF Reader, now is the time to re-enable it. (I did)

Quick access to ROXIO Updates
ROXIO updates (Windows, all products)
ROXIO (Adaptec) updates - (older ECDC versions)

That's It! - this is getting too long, and I've done what I set out to. I hope my experiences have been of use, and if they took support seriously, a page like this would not be needed.
Lets see how many visit this pathetic page!

For my next update, I think I'll split this into sections and improve the navigation - I may even splash out on a domain name.