Don't say I never gave you anything ;-)
CAVEAT EMPTOR - CDD2000. Some users of Philips CDD2000 and derivative
units (like the HP4020i) have reported that the drives went bad over a
short period of time, often 1 to 3 months. While these cases represent
the minority of users, reports have been persistent. People with the
technical skills (and bravery) required to replace a spring and/or
lubricate inside the unit have reported good results (see section (4-10)
for details). If you buy a CDD2000-based unit -- of which there are many
-- be sure the dealer or manufacturer is aware of this problem and is
willing to fix or exchange the drive should it arise.
For information on a class-action lawsuit filed against Philips on
behalf of owners of the CDD2000 and CDD2600, see
.
Subject: [4-10] What's the CDD2000 Write Append Error / spring problem?
(2000/08/08)
This seems to happen on Philips CDD2000-based units, such as the
HP4020i, usually a short while after the warranty runs out. The most
common cause is a spring that weakens with age, but it might also be due
to lubrication breakdown. After a while, the recorder starts failing
when trying to write beyond a certain point on the disc.
The ways of dealing with this range from minor system changes to the
placement of chicken entrails on selected components. Reducing the DMA
rate on the AdvanSys SCSI card (for the HP4020i) may help, buying better
SCSI cables and checking for proper termination may make a difference,
or even powering off and on again right before the burn. For some users,
however, the problem is mechanical rather than spiritual.
One user was told by Philips tech support that if error 50h (write
append) occurs, it means the drive has to be returned to the repair
center. Other users have been told that the error can occur when
attempting to write an empty directory or zero-length file. Under
Easy-CD Pro '95, this is reported as error 171-00-50-00 (see the Roxio
web site for a complete list of error codes).
If the fault is caused by the worn spring, it may be possible to fix the
problem by replacing the spring. This will definitely void your
warranty, and you shouldn't even think about trying this unless the only
alternative is to throw the drive away. Jonathan Oei posted some details
about the process (search for comp.publish.cdrom.hardware, subject
"CDD2000 & Spring Fix", on ), and a detailed
description of the procedure can be found on
.
This procedure requires some special tools (mini torx drivers and really
fine jeweller's pliers), and involves disassembling much of the drive.
If you open up the drive and remove the circuit boards, you will see
that the laser writing assembly is moved by a DC stepper motor. The
motor has a plastic drive gear that is meshed with a plastic "rack" on
the laser. The spring in question is a piece of wire that pushes the
rack against the drive gear, so when it weakens the gear slips and the
write fails. Replacing the 0.012" wire with a 0.02" diameter wire solves
the problem.
The high temperature in the drive may contribute to the breakdown of the
lubricants that allow the laser head to travel. You may be able to
prevent the situation by installing a fan.
Instructions on how to lubricate the drive are once again available. See
.
This question is also covered in the HP4020i FAQ, available at
.
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