CD Writer 9300i & 80 Min CDR - HP says will handle it, but not recognized

[Amy MacQuarrie]

I recently purchased the CD Writer 9300i. It has firmware v1.0b and Adaptec Easy CD Creator v3.5c, on Windows98. Both the userguide and this webpage on the HP help site claim that this hardware and software will handle 80 Min CDRs:

http://www.hp.com/cposupport/information_storage/support_doc/lpg40817.html

If I put an 80 Min CDR in the drive, it is only recognized as a 74 Min CDR. Is there something else that I need to do to have it recognize the higher capacity? These are Memorex CDRs, is there a particular brand that I should use? Do I need updated software or firmware? Should I use different software?

P.S. This thread has been moved from General to Optical Jukeboxes & Drives. -HP Forum Moderator

[Jamie Hughes]

Hi Amy,

I don't think you need any updated firmware, etc. You should try another brand of CD or contact Memorex.

As you can see from the excerpt below, you may run into problems using the 80-minute CDs. HP doesn't recommend them or offer any support for them.

Regards,
Jamie Hughes

All HP CD-Writers, with the exception of the 4020, 6020, 7100, 7200, and 8270 series drives, are capable of writing to this media with the included software (see table below). However, because of recent in-house testing, we have discovered that recording to this media can be unreliable. The manufacturing process for creating 80-minute discs is difficult, and reduces the track pitch tolerance necessary to meet Orange Book specifications. HP believes this reduces the reliability below HP's strict quality standards. As a result, created discs may be unreadable; therefore, we discourage using this media for storing critical information at this time.

HP is unable to provide technical assistance on issues related to using 80-minute media. If you are experiencing difficulty with 80-minute media, please refer to the manufacturer of that media for support.

http://www.hp.com/cposupport/information_storage/support_doc/lpg40817.html

[greebo]

That is a very poor excuse for not providing customer support. I bought HP as I thought you would support your products. To say you will not answer 80min questions is a total disregard for your customers. Yes we accept you do not approve of these discs but plenty of people are using them and with no problems.With much larger discs comming out now, you better get with it or lose out on future sales. I bought your burner because it would write to 80mins. I would now like to write to 730mb discs and require your support whether or not you approve .Your refusal indicates that it may be your product that is not up to it not the discs!

[Ron VanLuyn]

If anyone out there has shopped for CDR media lately, you must have noticed that the 80 min. types are about all you can find!

[Gavin_4]

I suggest if you believe that 80min cd's should work without fault that you do a bit of research by starting here:

http://cdrfaq.org/faq03.html#S3-8-1

As for HP's lame excuse, check with all CDR companies and they will state the same problems that can arise.