Great News! I can confirm that the new Phillips drive can be tweaked successfully to read DVD-R, DVD+R, and DVD+RW, in addition to CD-RW, DVD-Video, and original abox disks. I did not test CD-R.
Here are the drive's details.
Model: VAD6035/21
Customer Part Number: X00624-005
Factory Code: 8VU
Mfg Date: W349 - December - 2003
This drive came installed in an xbox manufactured in China on 01/05/2004
Before:
CD-RW, DVD-Video, and original xbox disks worked.
DVD-R, DVD+R, and DVD+RW did not work.
CD-R and DVD-RW, were not tested.
After:
CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-Video, and original xbox disks worked.
DVD-RW and CD-R were not tested.
As you know, you can ruin your drive and I will not be responsible. That said, here is a short summary of what I did.
Read all posts regarding all drives. In short, the things I felt were important are as follows.
A. The goal is to feed the laser more power, so that it can read DVD-R media. You do this by measuring the resistance in the pots, and adjusting them.
B. Use a Multimeter. I recommend a digital one, that way you don't have to try to measure exactly where the needle is pointing, you simply look at a digital display for a number.
C. You will be measureing ohms (symbol looks like a horse shoe or greek letter Omega) and it is important to know that the lower the number, the more power you will be feeding the laser. Do not crank it too low or you may damage your laser.
2. Before adjustments, my ohm readings were as follows:
Left pot: 629
Right pot: 597
These settings, however, did not work. I noticed that there is great variation in ohm readings in this forum, but as MyUtopia mentioned, you just need get an original ohm reading so that you can lower that a little as stated below.
MyUtopia said
| QUOTE |
| It appears that 200-400 ohms less than the original reading has done the trick. So when you take your initial reading - adjust the POT based on that scale - however, I would suggest in small intervals - perhaps 25-50 ohms. |
3. I first turned the left pot from 629 up to 820 by turning it counter-clockwise. I put the lid back on, plugged it in and found that it did not work. Then I tried lowering it by turning it clockwise, little by little, until I reached 338 ohms. It probably took me about six or seven tries starting again from about 600 before I got that low. Each time, I would close up the drive and plug it back in (only because it seemed easier than dealing with the bulky xbox on my small desk) It finally worked!
Also important, I think is what Exobex said about only having to tweak the left pot.
Remember, I lowered the LEFT pot, but did not adjust the right one at all (only measured it).
Thanks to all of you. This is a great community. Although this is my first post, I have read many posts since December and learned everything because of you guys who share your knowledge. Thanks for keeping the scene alive.
PS. I have pictures, but don't have hosting. If someone can host them, I will post them.
Oh, almost forgot the disk types.
The CD-RW is Memorex 1x-4x
The DVD-R is Maxell (doesn't say, but burned at 2x)
I also used Verbatim DVD-R and DVD+R and DVD+RW. (2.4x)
Verbatim worked well for me, and they are a great deal if you shop at Sam's Club. They sell a spindle of 50 DVD+R or DVD-R for $60.
Best of Luck!
Vikter
Author
Topic: New Philips Drive? (Read 849 times)