CD-RW/DVD Drive - LG GCC-4521B!!! BIG PROBLEM, PLEASE ASSIST!!!

M

Milanche

Geek
I have a very very big problem!!! :( :( :( I have downloaded Firmware for my Combo drive (GCC-4521B) from LG's site, i unzipped it and loaded it... Then my computer ran slower because many apps were still running while upgrading the firmware... To accelerate my PC I closed all apps AND FIRMWARE UPGRADER (WHILE IT WAS UPGRADING). Then i restarted my PC. The drive wasn't working!!!:( :( :( When I press the eject button it won't eject!!! And I must mention that I was installing a video game before upgrading the firmware and I upgraded it with the CD inside the drive!!! The drive has also disappeared from the list in My Computer!!! I checked the IDE and other cables but there's no problem with them... I tried to boot the Ubuntu Linux but it cant mount somthing (i can't remember what). WHAT SHOULD I DO???! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!!!
 
Well, you can get the CD out.

You'll need a strong paper clip to do this; metal, not plastic ones are what you want. There should be a hole around the tray somewhere. It's small, but it should be there. What you need to do is unfold the paperclip so that one end is straight. Stick that in the hole and pump it in and out to push the tray out.

As for the drive, depending on how old it is, check with LG about getting it repaired. Whenever you're flashing a ROM, you never, ever want to stop the program or turn off the power during this event. The basic functions of the drive (or other hardware with ROM) are stored in it. Without the complete ROM image in the ROM chip, the hardware is unable to operate. If LG requires any cost, then you're better off to just buy a new unit, given how even a DVD burner can be had for around $30 USD.
 
WARNING: Do not open any programs or start any system functions during the update, as they will interfere with data transfer and damage the drive. Do not cancel the operation once it has been started or the drive will become permanently damaged, as a result.

Does this mean I screwed everything up?
 
Yup. What happens is the program erases the data on the ROM, then moves the updated ROM over in there. Interfering with this process will leave you with a blank slate, or incomplete ROM.

When you do a software update, the updated files just overwrite the data, not erase them first. That's why when updating a ROM, you simply do not interfere with the update.
 
Hummm... Is there ANY way to fix this??? Is it possible to undo the changes? Or the only way is to buy a new drive?
 
Well, the problem lies in if it can be recongized by your system. Without the ROM in place, its likely not being recongnized. Without the drive being recognized, you can't attempt to re-flash it. That's the crux of the issue. If it can be recognized by the system, you've got a shot a flashing the ROM again, which should give you a working drive again.

You can get in contact with LG and see about fixing the drive, but if it's going to cost anything to repair the drive, it's just as effective to buy a new drive. I say that because most optical drives are so cheap, it's silly to spend much money to get a current drive fixed.
 
I have to ask...Did you not read the readme before attempting the firmware upgrade? When they say "close all open applications before proceeding" they usually mean close the goddamn applications.
 
I know, but I really HATE reading those little txt files (readme.txt etc.)... But I have news!!! 5 minutes ago i solved the problem!!! I downloaded the MtkWinFlash program from MtkWinFlash !!! I extracted the firmware updating program v1.07 (GCC4521B107(E)). Then I opened MtkWinFlash chose IDE mode, then selected the Secondary Master (because that's the location my drive is connected to) Then hit the browse button and selected IDE.HEX file (which is extracted from firmware upgrader software). And hit the Flash button!!! Voila the drive is working!!! Then restart and u're completed the mission!!!

@Sniper This link you gave (I already had it) to me is the second way. Is works but i was too lazy to buy the floppy disk (and it doesn't work without floppy on my PC). And I must say that is the ''harder'' way (it's not hard at all but this way I di it is much easier and u don't need floppy)
 
Yeah, certainly not the way you want to have to do things. Just be glad you didn't do that while flashing your motherboard's BIOS. I don't want to kick a man when he's down, but I do hope you understand why they say not to close the program when flashing the ROM.
 
Now I do understand... And stupid ppl from LG said that it's impossible to fix the drive... That guy from Hungary that told me it's impossible should be fired!!! >(
 
Well, this is the first I've heard about any user being able to fix an issue like yours, so I don't think this is as common knowledge as you would think. For the reasons I've previously described, while it's obviously not impossible to recover from, the ROM programming difference from regular software does throw a wrench in the works.
For LG's position, the employees may not be allowed to pass on that information or may not be given it...I don't know. Of course, there's also the possibility they're just blowing you off, although that's hard to say without knowing their skill level.
 
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