Burn Error?

**setarip** · 3 Mar 2005, 09:55 AM

"Focus or tracking error"

Most often indicative of a hardware (burner) problem.

May also be flawed burnable media.

You might want to try running a DVD/CD cleaning disc on your burner. Maxell makes one that retails for approximately $10US...

**Craggarr** · 3 Mar 2005, 10:06 AM

Thanks for the quick response.
I suspected it was hardware.
I'm trying different media at the moment.
I can only hope the cleaner does the trick.
What is the avg. life expectancy of a burner anyways?
I've an LG that's not 6 months old yet.

**setarip** · 3 Mar 2005, 10:14 AM

"What is the avg. life expectancy of a burner anyways?
I've an LG that's not 6 months old yet."

There can be no meaningful answer since there are too many variables involved - Quality of manufacture, number of burns, age of burner, quality of system maintenance, etc...

**Craggarr** · 3 Mar 2005, 12:10 PM

No luck with the lens cleaner.
I went and got the maxell DVD lens cleaner.
It must be the burner I guess.
I burnt a CD to see if that worked and it did I guess DVD burning is a different process within the rom.

**jmet** · 3 Mar 2005, 12:24 PM

Craggarr, I deleted your other post.

**cynthia** · 3 Mar 2005, 01:52 PM

You burner is currently using a generic write strategy. Download and install the latest one A304. http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=1923

You could also install the latest free update for your burner. http://www.nero.com/en/nero-up.php

What brand of discs do you use now? If the above don't work - try to get a better brand of discs.

Originally posted by Craggarr
I burnt a CD to see if that worked and it did I guess DVD burning is a different process within the rom.

The crappy CD media that used to be on the market - is now out of the market.

**Craggarr** · 3 Mar 2005, 08:24 PM

Thank you very much cynthia .I'll trythe updates to nite when I get home from work(damn I hate 14hr shifts) and report back with my results.
I find it strange though that it started all of a sudden and I was 3/4 the way through a 50 pack of media that worked fine for the last two packs I had.
I had this burner for about 6 months and done roughly 250 backups.

**cynthia** · 4 Mar 2005, 02:39 AM

What brand of media do you use?

**Craggarr** · 4 Mar 2005, 12:55 PM

Various

I have used various types like BenQ,X-Media,Verbatim,Maxell as well as a
certain generic type which produced about 50 back ups flawless.
I got the Nero updates and downloaded the firmware updater (the newest from the site).
I'm way to tired for this at the moment so I'll try a back up tomorrow when I get off work.
BTW if worse comes to worse and I have to take the drive in for service I'll more than likely want to get another for my PC and when the old one comes back I'll pop that into my other rig.
So is there any favorites of DVD burners you all have or any good reviews on burners out there?

**Craggarr** · 5 Mar 2005, 11:40 AM

Well I tried a back up after updating everything and still recieve the same exact error.
I guess I have a faulty hardware issue so I'll see about getting this burner serviced.

Thanks for all your help everyone and I'll catch ya later.

**setarip** · 5 Mar 2005, 12:05 PM

"Thanks for all your help everyone"

My (Our) pleasure ;>}

**Craggarr** · 9 Mar 2005, 12:34 AM

Well I figured I better give a conclusion to this thread so anyone with this same Error " Focus or tracking error" with a LG burner does a search here.

First off I returned the unit to my dealer(btw the writer was only 4 months old) and they gave me the same model GSA 4160B in return stating only "this unit has been checked" I said alrite whatever.
Got home, installed the unit to continue where my previous back up craped out.
Same freakin error. " Focus or tracking error".
Buddy at the dealer said "If that unit gives the same error ,it must be your computer conflicting with software installed" or whatever.So i figured I better see for myself before I go back and freak on the guy.
I installed it in my other rig.Same error.
So I done a little searching (2 hours reading actually) and it seems this model and various other LG models are known to have this happening and a ton(literally) are being RMA'd.One shop I was into Said they had 60% of LG burners returned for this reason.
From what I gather the high temp. thermal grease is not of very good quality and is drying out causing the optical tray to not slide like it should.
I don't know much about the whole design of writers but it makes sense to me.I read most of this sutff off various sites by searching google ," Focus or tracking error LG DVD burner".
Anyway I went and took the unit back and the same dude was there but there was also a more knowledgeable fella there that knew exactly what was going on and he gave me a new GSA4163B.Which they should of done in the first place.
So now the new unit is in my old rig and I've done about 10 back ups no problem.
In the mean time I purchaced the NEC ND-3520B at a great price and installed it in my rig and it works like a charm.
Again thanks and I hope this thread helps anyone with the same problem I had.

**setarip** · 9 Mar 2005, 03:42 AM

Glad to hear that you've arranged for a positive resolution for your dilemma!

(And you confirmed my original response to you, when I stated that, a focus or tracking error is most often indicative of a hardware (burner) problem.)

Burn Error?

Burn Error?

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