Question:
I frequently operate my HP 4020 CD-burner (or Philips CDD 2000, Grundig, or similar) in test mode and everything runs perfectly. But if I turn off the test mode, after a while the CD-Rs are trashed. MakeCD responds with: "write append error". This has never happened in test mode, but is very frequent when test mode is off. My friend has the same CD-burner. He did not have this problem when the burner was new, but now, some time later, he is getting the same problems. What has gone wrong?
Answer: You most probably have a faulty CD-burner. You burner needs to be repaired. A new firmware or a new version of MakeCD will not help in this case.
A user on claimed on Internet that HP expressed surprise that a user managed to burn 200 blanks using a SureStore 4020 before this error occurred.
Alexander Becker <alex@enjoy.regio.net> reported in <5eu67r$1q0@enjoy.regio.net> on 25.2.1997 that HP sent him new blanks without objection after he called them and faxed in the bill - he also claimed that he was even refunded the cost of the burner.
Other users have even exchanged their burners two or three times -- without long-term success -- and have eventually been refunded.
One of the beat testers for MakeCD has told us that the following firms has good support for defect burners:
Repair 2000 Hardware Service GmbH
Werkstrasse 5
22844 Norderstedt
Deutschland
Tel.: 040 5225031 (ask for Mr. Peter and describe the problem)
Fax: 040 5264811
If you are dexterous, you may be able to resolve the problem by thoroughly cleaning the burner yourself (remove any dust, and oil the carriage with a suitable lubricant). Any repair that you attempt is at your own risk and we cannot and will not offer you further advice on repairing units yourself.
If you are using the Philips CDD 2000 or similar make sure that you are using the latest firmware version. For example, version 1.21 can lead to considerable SCSI problems.
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