Sony SDT-5000 4mm DAT drive

I have a Sony 4mm DAT drive. There is now a newer one, the SDT-9000, which is faster and has a higher capacity (what else is new?). It is reasonably reliable. I have had to send it back once, since it broke in a way that I don't recall.

Well it broke again 12/27/97. Did a full backup flawlessly, but refused to eject the tape. The manual eject button does no good, and when I send a SCSI command to eject, I get an error return. I am most unimpressed. I have probably made 20-30 tapes, and it has failed twice. I will send it back to Sony, and no doubt pay plenty. This drive is still listed on their web page, and people are still selling it, so I would guess it is still being made. Hope Sony can get my backup tape out... I now do not recommend this drive at all under any circumstances due to poor reliability.

Well it broke again Dec-24-1999. Backed up some data, then got a buncha errors, timeouts, and the like. And it was with new tape. So I traded it in with New Image International. They told me that the Sony sdt-7000, sdt-9000, and sdt-10000 have 'soft' heads, and when they go, the cost to fix the heads is about what the drive is worth. They said the HP DAT-8 was better, so I got it. I will eventually get a DLT drive, when they get cheaper and I get more money.

Dazzle Universal 6 in 1 Reader

I have a Dazzle Universal 6 in 1 Reader. (Dazzle has since been acquired by Pinnacle). This is designed to read and write CompactFlash, IBM Microdrive, SmartMedia Card, MultiMedia Card/Secure Digital, and Memory Stick media. Sounds good, right? It actually works ok on Windows XP. On Windows 2000, when you install it, you hose up the operating system in a really major way. After much thrashing I was able to fix Windows the first two times I installed the operating system. The third time I installed Windows and the reader, I was unable to fix the OS. I spent many hours of hair pulling and swearing to no avail. I searched the dazzle web site for into to help, to no avail. I sent their tech support email, and I finally received a reply 8 days later (after making them weasel of the month). I have since upgraded to Windows XP, in order to have a working computer.

So in my experience, the best way to completely and irrevocable screw up Windows 2000, is to install a Dazzle reader. I have overcome many hardware and software problems in the past, but this is the worst by far. I cannot overemphasize the poor quality of the Dazzle software. I am used to software not working, or crashing, but breaking the operating system in a fatal way requires extra effort, and Dazzle has done it.

Here are my replies to their email. Their text in in italics. My editorializing is in [square brackets]:

[My first email to them]

To: smmicro4@custhelp.com
Subject: Re: Windows 2000 professional [Incident: 030218-000454]

Recently you requested personal assistance from our on-line support center. Below is a summary of your request and our response.

We will assume your issue has been resolved if we do not hear from you within 168 hours.

Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.

You may also update this question by replying to this message. Because your reply will be automatically processed, you MUST enter your reply in the space below. Text entered into any other part of this message will be discarded.

[===> Please enter your reply below this line <===]

Well, I don't have a USB card to add or remove. It is built into my motherboard. Therefore, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f are useless.

I do have antivirus software running, Norton antivirus. I do have another Windows 2000 pro system correctly running on my machine. Since I cannot be without my OS for a week, I did a fresh OS install and used Windows XP pro. Since I didn't find anything on your FAQ (and I still can't find any entries with the word virus in them), and since it took you a week to reply to me, and since your product has always rendered windows 2000 useless, and since you didn't send email to my hotmail account as I asked (since I can't read email when my system is hosed), I have decided to make dazzle weasel of the month at weasel.com. See www.weasel.com for details.

So in that sense my problem is resolved. However your problem sure isn't resolved.

Have a nice day,
Turbo,
domain owner of weasel.com

PS: I really like the quote "I'm sure your questions are answered"
[===> Please enter your reply above this line <===]

If your issue remains unresolved, please update this question here.

Subject Windows 2000 professional
Discussion Thread
Response (Naveen)02/27/2003 05:09 AM
Dear Turbo,

Thanks for your patience and your confidence in Dazzle.We are very sorry for this delayed feed back.We will make sure to give them in due time.

[I suspect that they replied at all because I made them weasel of the month, and sent their PR person an email about that. Can't prove it. I also like the sorry for the delayed feed back message. All of their email seems to have it as boiler-plate and for good reason.]

There could be numerous other reasons for the system reboot.

[The reason for the system reboot is that I rebooted the system. The problem is that the system won't finish booting up, not the 'system reboot'.]

Please go through the following and let us know if any of them help you out.

1.Please ensure there are no antivirus is installed and is running on the background.This might sometimes clash with the Installation.

[This is really useful. Since windows is so buggy I would think almost everyone is running some kind of antivirus program. And I searched their help system, and didn't find anything under virus or antivirus, nor does their installation mention it.]

2.The reason could be an IRQ clash.
a.shut down the system
b. remove the USB card
c.Start the system
d.Shut it down again
e.Insert the USB card
f.start the system
g.Insert the device with media
h.Install drivers


[If it were an IRQ clash, the other OS installations would likely not work also. Also I never mentioned a USB card. As most motherboards have USB now, this seems like useless at best advice.]

I'm sure your questions are answered.

[This is a really puzzling statement. Perhaps just odd english, but it seems wildly optimistic.]

Thanks in advance.
Have a great day!
Naveen
Auto-Response02/18/2003 10:39 PM

, Thank you for your interest in your Dazzle* 6-in-1 Card Reader/Writer. Your issue is still unresolved and is being worked on by our staff. In the meantime, these Answers were automatically selected for your consideration. If your issue is addressed in our public Answers, a solution link should be listed below. If no solutions are listed or the solutions do not match your issue, there were no public Answers related to your issue. A Customer Service agent will be responding to you shortly. If one of the Answer links below resolves your issue, please close this incident.

> Please visit the following links:

Title: Optimal Computer Performance for PCs
Link: http://scmmicro.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/scmmicro.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=301

Title: Drive letter assignment for USB Card Readers in Windows 2000 & XP on a LAN
Link: http://scmmicro.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/scmmicro.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1400&p_created=1027439721

Title: Safe ejection of removable media in Windows 2000
Link: http://scmmicro.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/scmmicro.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1399&p_created=1027437076

Title: Locating the part number for your Dazzle installation CD
Link: http://scmmicro.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/scmmicro.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1707&p_created=1044398908

Customer02/18/2003 10:39 PM

When I use the install cd and reboot my system, the system hangs. I tried the previous configuration, but that hangs also. I tried safe mode, and uninstalled the device, and then unplugged the device. I successfully uninstalled via the device manager. When I reboot into normal win 2000 sp3, the system hangs. I am really in a bad way now.

I remember similar problems when I did this the last time I installed win 2000, but I did something clever to successfully install the reader. Any ideas?

It would be ideal to send email to lopgok@hotmail.com, as it is difficult to read email, when I cannot boot my main computer.

thanks,
Turbo

[My second email to them, with the boring stuff removed]

To: smmicro4@custhelp.com
Subject: Re: Windows 2000 professional [Incident: 030218-000454]

[===> Please enter your reply below this line <===]

Gee, I would like to go to FAQ 1203, but your web page is broken. I tried it under the latest Mozilla as well as the latest IE, and nothing happened when I typed in 1203 to the FAQ box. I even turned Java and javascript on on Mozilla, and turned down the security on IE. I do simple web design, I am happy to consult on making working and portable web pages. I would encourage to test your pages with Opera, Lynx, Mozilla, as well as IE on windows, Linux, mac os X for starters.

I did read the ZiO! link, and it was somewhat useful. Too bad I couldn't find anything like it for the 6-in-1 reader when I was hosed up.

I am glad you like my website. I am sorry you don't feel in your heart of hearts that when a piece of hardware/software renders a computer unusable that they should be called weasel of the month. I have at least 10 computers here, and quite a wide variety of hardware. I have never had 3rd party software render my computer OS unusable before. I have modest skill writing software, with over 20 years of experience, as well as working on the very first e-commerce system, and I have never seen such damaging software. I would suggest a course in basic software engineering for your developers.

I find your message 'Give us one more try on Win2K.I'm sure you will find us good.' really amusing. Do you think I want to scrub my 15k RPM SCSI drive of a working OS (win XP) that took me well over 10 hours to install and load all the apps, just so I can re-install win 2000, and go through the process of patching it, and installing my apps, just for the privilege of wedging my system again (as it has done every time) with your system-destroying software? Do you know what a production system is? I run my main computer 24*7. I don't have time to reload a OS, nor do I feel that plugging in a new 15k RPM drive and loading win2000 is a really fun process.

Having to use the recovery console on win2000 should give you folks a clue that something is seriously wrong with your software. Fortunately, Microsoft included enough drivers with win XP that I don't have to use your death-inducing cd software installer.

If you folks want to pay me to test your software, I am happy to do so. I will get a dedicated machine to do so, so I won't disrupt my main computer operations. I have a variety of single and dual processor systems, with Intel and AMD chips and a variety of BIOS's and clock rates.

I also do software engineering consulting. My rates are reasonable.

Turbo

[===> Please enter your reply above this line <===]
If your issue remains unresolved, please update this question here.
Subject Windows 2000 professional
Discussion Thread
Response (Naveen)02/28/2003 06:09 AM
Dear Turbo,
I understand your frustrations loud and clear.I perfectly justify them.The answers are some of them which have helped people who sounded the exact way your mail read.It sure has helped them.
We really want to help you out and make you feel that you did make a right choice on purchasing Dazzle.
Here are some notes on Win2000 Problems on Installation.
1.Please go through FAQ ID 1203
2.Title: During the ZiO! Installation I get a blank screen URL: http://scmmicro.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/scmmicro.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=475&p_created=1003258931
Thank you.
Good day!
Naveen

P.S -I really like your creativity(I mean it!!!). and I did go through your website.But,Heart of hearts I feel we do not deserve that place.Give us one more try on Win2K.I'm sure you will find us good.I'm keeping this mail unresolved to make sure I will sort out your issue.
Customer02/27/2003 07:58 AM
[... repeated stuff deleted...]

DVD media report

Since DVD media is relatively new and expensive I have decided to report on my experience using it. All the media was burned with either a Sony DRU-510A drive or a Plextor PX-716A drive. The good news is almost all media burns fine. I have had some problems reading certain media in certain drives. What is interesting to note is the size difference between different media.

I have recently found out that my dvd burner was getting dusty and needed cleaning. This has caused the problems burning disks. It is due to two 120mm fans, and a 92mm fan exhausting air from my case. I suppose dvd drives should be reasonably sealed against getting dust inside...

Brand: BeAll DVD-R 1-4x, Label: nothing
Media Code: BeAll G40001 Size: 4.33gb (4.65gb) burned 100 disks, no problems.

Brand: Value Disk DVD-R, Label: Value Disk DVD-R
Media Code: CMC MAG. AF1 Size: 4.36gb (4.68gb) burned 50 disks, no problems.

Brand: TDK DVD-R 4x compatible, Label: TDK 4x
Media Code: TTG01 Size: 4.38gb (4.71gb) burned @8 disks, no problems.

Brand: CompUSA DVD-R 2x Label: CompUSA DVD-R
Media Code: Princo Size: 4424mb burned about 15 disks, 8 had verify errors

Brand: Philips DVD-R 1-8x, Label: Philips DVD-R 1-8x Version 2.0
Media Code: CMC MAG. AE1 Size: 4.34gb (4.66gb) Burned 5 at 8x, had verify errors. Burned 5 at 4x, worked fine. I contacted Philips because the media says 'High-quality, highly reliable qualified media ensures your recorded video is preserved'. They asked me for my proof of purchase. I told them I didn't have a receipt. They ignored further emails from me. I paid $1 per disk for this media in Jun 2005. I tried calling Philips and the person I spoke to said they have no phone support for their media. I have never had systematic problems burning media at its rated speed. Avoid at all costs.

Brand: Prodisk 8x, Label: nothing
Media Code: MCC 02RG20 Size: 4.36gb (4.68gb) burned 70 disks, about 6 disks had verify errors, up to 500 P1/P0 errors

Brand: Memorex DVD+R DL 2.4X, Label: Memorex Double Layer DVD+R 2.4X
Media Code: RITEK Size: 7.07gb (7.59gb) burned 1 disk, no problems

Brand: Office Depot DVD-RW 4x, Label: Office Depot DVD-RW
Media Code: RITEKW04 Size: 4.38gb (4.71gb)
(note: won't burn on Sony drive, perhaps due to high speed rating) burned @40 disks, 3 won't rewrite.

Brand: Sony DVD-RW, 1x, Label: DMW47 Version 1.1,
Media Code: SONY000000U9 Size: 4.15gb (4.45gb) burned @5 disks, no problems

Brand: Verbatim DVD+R 16x
Media Code: ??? Size: 4.7gb burned 1 disk, 1 coaster.

Brand: no-name CD-R, Label: none
Media Code: CMC Magnetics Co. (type 6) Size: 691mb burned 20 disks, 3 coasters.

Brand: Prime Peripherals CD-R, Label: Prime Peripherals
Media Code: DIGITAL Storage (type 1) Size: 691mb burned 3 disks, 2 coasters.

Toshiba XM-3601B-TA 4x CDROM drive

I have a Toshiba SCSI CDROM drive. It completely failed once. I sent it back to Toshiba, and they fixed it. Sometimes when the machine is booting, the 'busy' light comes on, and stays on when a disc is inside, but that doesn't happen often. People say that Toshiba and Plextor make the best SCSI drives...

Acer cd rom RW 6206A

I bought an Acer 6202A cd rom re-writer. It was my first non-SCSI drive in my computer. I got it because it was $300 after rebate, and I wanted to be able to save stuff to CD-R. Installation was pretty simple. After I installed the writing software (Adaptec EZ-CD-Creator), I started having some serious system problems. I called Acer tech support, and after well over an hour on the phone with them, they were unable to suggest any useful solutions. I turned to the Internets, and comp.publish.cdrom.hardware . Mike Richter, a knowledgeable and frequent poster, suggested that my ASPI layer might be bad. In fact, I did have a bad version of the ASPI layer (from Adaptec), and using a very nasty program called ASPIME, I was able to go back to an earlier version of the ASPI layer. Adaptec has told the author ASPIME that it contains their copyright software, and to cease distributing it.

After the ASPI layer problem was fixed, the drive was able to write cd's fine. Still, I was quite unimpressed with Acer tech support. I sold the drive to a friend...

Plextor Plexwriter RW 4/2/20

I decided to buy the Cadillac of cd-rom drives, the Plextor 4220. I couldn't pass it up for only $300 at buycomp.com . It came with the Plextor manager, Adaptec ez-cd-creator, Adaptec direct-cd, and cd res-q. The only downside to the drive was the tiny fan in the back that is always on. I asked Plextor tech support if it shut off when the disk was not spinning, or removed, and they said no. Probably why the MTBF of the drive is so low. Its hard to make fans that last a long time... Installation was very straightforward, and I was able to install the software easily. I was a bit worried about ez-cd-creator, due to the ASPI problems that I had with the Acer drive I used to have, but everything went fine. Some programs don't work under Windows NT, like AudioFS, but not a big deal.

The CD Res-Q software is junk. The updated software is also junk.

I am able to copy cd's with no problem.

Hi-Val x40 IDE cd rom drive

I got this Hi-Val drive, because an old x16 drive broke (and there was a rebate on the Hi-Val). Well after 5 weeks of light use the Hi-Val drive broke. I got another one, and the first day it started making noises that sounded like something scraping against the disk itself. Like something from the shower scene from Psycho. I returned it and got the Kenwood True 42x instead.

So I waited for the rebate check. After being over due by several weeks, I called them. Got the answering machine. Left a message, and they said they would return my call within 24 hours. What a lie. I called 3 more times, leaving messages each time. I detected a bad pattern. I sent them email. They ignored it.

So remembering my problems with the scum Mouse Systems, I went to Comp_USA, where I purchased the Hi-Val drive. The manager said they were having lots of problems with Hi-Val rebates. He told me to contact Comp_USA corporate. He also told me that Comp_USA no longer sells Mouse Systems products. (big surprise)

So I called Comp_USA corporate. They seemed unsurprised by my problems. I mailed them copies of my receipt and rebate form (I always keep copies). Hopefully Comp_USA will send me the $20, and I hope they hold Hi-Val's feet to the fire.

Kenwood True 42x cd rom drive

The Kenwood 42x drive is the grooviest cd rom drive I have seen. It uses zen labs licensed technology to split the laser beam into 7 beams, and reads at x42 across the entire surface of the disk. I ran cdspeed, and the average speed to read a disk was x43. There were a few spots where it slowed down, but I was terribly impressed. Also it does good DAE (all too common nowadays). It doesn't seem to like some CD-R's that I have made, though (it either reads them very slowly, or ejects them).

Pioneer x10 DVD drive

My first DVD drive. I really wanted a SCSI one to match the rest of my system, but the pioneer was cheap. It really performs well (based on cdspeed, as well as dvdspeed). It also does good DAE. It does make a bit of noise, like any x40 drive (other than the Kenwood or other zen labs drives).

It actually does better DAE on marginal disks than my Plextor.

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