Iomega Super DVD Writer

Pros: Good as a DVD ROM

Cons: Issue when writing DVD - R media, Hotburn Pro software is not for professionals, Drive Life is low.

Summary: I brought "iomega Super Drive" because iomega was known for its high quality storage solution. The drive worked fine for over a week after which the drive stopped recognising DVD - R media. This drive took a lot of time when finalising DVD-R burning process and most of the attempts it fails to close a session. I first blamed the writing software provided by iomega (hotburn pro). Iomega has made a lot of changes with its writing software to get a professional touch (like nero) but still lacks most advanced features. I then planned to buy a NERO software to run this drive. The drive worked fine with the new software and did have any issues closing DVD-R tracks using the new software.

I brought "iomega Super Drive" because iomega was known for its high quality storage solution. The drive worked fine for over a week after which the drive stopped recognising DVD - R media. This drive took a lot of time when finalising DVD-R burning process and most of the attempts it fails to close a session. I first blamed the writing software provided by iomega (hotburn pro). Iomega has made a lot of changes with its writing software to get a professional touch (like nero) but still lacks most advanced features. I then planned to buy NERO software to run this drive. The drive worked fine with the new software and did have any issues closing DVD-R tracks using the new software. After burning 30 DVDs on this drive, the drive started giving " Power callibration " error. I tried to clean the lens of this drive using a cdcleaner but had no luck. Then contacted the chat support. Please find the chat support for more details.



Chat Support Transcript

Chat Transcript - 12/11/2005 09:46 PM
Hi, my name is Ryan. How may I help you?
Allen: Hi Rayan
Allen: I have a DVD Super Drive
Allen: which I was able to write DVDs
Allen: But now, few days back when I try to write DVD's, I get "Power
Callibration Error!!"
Allen: what can I do now
Ryan: What is the speed of this burner? Also, what burning
software/version number are you using, and what brand of media?
Allen: I am using 8X as the burning speed.
Allen: I use the default software provided by iomega,
Allen: and the DVD I use to burn is SONY DVD+R
Allen: I have tried to use DVD + R and DVD - R
Allen: b
Allen: Both gives me the same error message.
Ryan: Ok, is this an 8x drive? Also, what version number of the
Hotburn Pro software? The version number will appear on the main screen of
the software once executed.
Allen: it is a 12 X drive
Allen: what I would like to inform you is that after burning the
media,,, when the tracks are closely observed, the tracks are faded at the
end, which I believe is the cause of the problem
Allen: I removed the drive and tried it using with Nero 6.6
Enterprise Edition in my company, but still find the same results
Ryan: Right Click on My Computer, select Properties, choose the
Hardware tab, and enter the Device Manager. Under DVD/CD-ROM, what is the
drive string of the Iomega drive?
Allen: the drive letter is f:\ in my windows explorer , is that what
you are looking for
Ryan: No, you need to enter the Device Manager with the steps given
above.
Allen: okay, just give me a minute, please stay online
Ryan: Sure.
Allen: I am trying to boot my system, it takes some time.
Ryan: Ok.
Allen: iomega DVD RW 12448
Ryan: Thanks. Unfortunately, I'm not showing any type of firmware
update being available for the drive. Also, the serial number you have
given is not returning any results. Serial numbers are 10 alphanumeric
characters, and are located on the bottom of the drive. However, I
would recommend possibly trying a higher quality brand of media with the
drive such as TDK, Verbatim, or Imation to determine if those work
properly for you.
Allen: I believe that I have tried all possible DVD + R/DVD - R
available here.
Ryan: All right, in that case we would need a valid serial number of
the drive. Also, in what country are you located?
Allen: Let me look at the serial number once again.
Allen: l1ae50ko / l1ae50k0 could be the possible combinations.
Ryan: Unfortunately, neither of those are returning anything.
As you would want to take the
drive back to the point of purchase in order to obtain a replacement (if
In Warranty). Sorry for any inconvenience.
Allen: Can I bring this drive and ship it to your place. Can
that be done?
Ryan: Yes, if the drive is In Warranty. Since the serial numbers are
not returning any results, we would need for you to copy the Proof of
Purchase for the device, attach it to the e-mail you will receive upon repaired or if outside warranty you may want to take it to a local 3rd party repair shop.


Allen: What is the cause of this problem?
Ryan: That's difficult to say, however the laser of the drive may be
damaged/dirty.
Allen: I thought that iomega was involved in providing quality
storage solutions to its customers. I have just burnt about 30 DVDs
sucessfully in this drive. I also understandthat "power callibration error" is a
serious error and did not expect this from your
drive after burning 30 DVDs



Allen: Also I have been using other burning drives from ASUS, SONY
and NEC. Which is sucessfully
burning more than a thousand DVDs

Ryan: Yes, however not all drives are manufactured the same way as
each contains different parts and so forth. It is common for drive's to
go bad. If you would like, perhaps try inserting one of those Cleaning
Discs into the drive to see if that helps.
Ryan: Is there anything else I can assist you with?
Allen: What is the next point of contact what can help me in solving
this problem!
Ryan: Well, if the drive is In Warranty, return the product to the
point of purchase to obtain a replacement. If it's not, you can take the
drive to a 3rd party repair shop.
Allen: I think I have made a wrong decission by owning "IOMEGA DVD
DRIVE" .
Allen: I am very much dissatisfied with your product.
Allen: and will not recommend any one from buying one of these
devices.
Allen: and as far as the customer service goes with IOMEGA. Thanks a
lot for "NOT HELPING ME"
Ryan: You're welcome, and have a great day.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance.


Ryan: disconnected