I've had this GGW-H20L for a good number of months now, and it's been able to play anything I've been able to throw at it... until about 3 weeks ago.

Suddenly it stopped being able to read my HD-DVD copy of Road to Rio/Road to Bali (HD-DVD , non-combo disk) entirely. It just sits there reading the disk constantly, never actually brings up the disk contents.. and can't PLAY it. Confusing thing is, the same disk plays on 2 other HD-DVD drives.. as well as a regular stand alone HD-DVD player. I know the disk is good, and I know it's clean.

I've even tried using a lens cleaner on the GGW-H20L to get it working, unfortunately the problem persists. Suddenly, only MY drive cannot read this disk.

Does anyone know if there is updated firmware for the drive? It doesn't seem to have any listed for the LG Electronics website, and I can't find any new drivers for it either. Can anyone help me with this?

(Using this GGW-H20L with WINDOWS VISTA HOME PREMIUM, if it matters.)

I don't know if this thread belongs in this area or not (maybe should be in the HTPC area)

But if something like this was happening to me, my first thought would be to uninstall the device, then re-install with fresh software install as well. Then see if it works.

If that doesn't work, I would try to install the drive in a different computer if that is a possibility for you (to test it out and see if that works) I know this drive and it's software requires particular hardware, but if a different computer is there for you to use, try it out.

If it ends up working on a different computer, then your current Windows OS needs to be reinstalled.

If nothing above works, your drive should probably be re-flashed with the most up-to-date firmware. (just to start over fresh)

If that doesn't work then you may have a drive lens problem. Which would require that the drive be replaced or repaired. You obviously don't wanna have to deal with that...

But it sounds like you may have a software issue, so start out troubleshooting with that.

EDIT:

I should point out that the problem you are describing above is the exact reason why I didn't end up building an HTPC for blu-ray and HD-DVD playback. Windows (especially Vista) is just too fragile of an OS to use as a living room entertainment solution in my opinion.

I have been through multiple HTPC builds and now that I have a standalone BH200 I will not be going back to any type of HTPC environment until the software is there...perhaps a Mac OS-type HTPC setup with full Blu-ray and HD-DVD support.

I'm having a similar problem with the adult HD DVD Babysitters and my GGW-H20L (combo reader/Blu ray writer) and my GGC-H20L (combo reader/ DVD writer). I think there are simply certain discs that the LG drives can't handle. I'm using the latest firmwares for each of my drives. I've tried all my discs in these drives (I have hundreds of HD DVDs) and Babysitters is the only one that won't play in my HTPC setup. I'll report the issue to LG tomorrow....maybe they can come up with a fix in firmware. I'm using XP with SP3.

I'm having a similar problem with the adult HD DVD Babysitters and my GGW-H20L (combo reader/Blu ray writer) and my GGC-H20L (combo reader/ DVD writer). I think there are simply certain discs that the LG drives can't handle. I'm using the latest firmwares for each of my drives. I've tried all my discs in these drives (I have hundreds of HD DVDs) and Babysitters is the only one that won't play in my HTPC setup. I'll report the issue to LG tomorrow....maybe they can come up with a fix in firmware. I'm using XP with SP3.

Here's the crazy part of this entire story for me, tho. I've got one of the same drives you have, same title... and it DID WORK properly for some 3 months straight. Then I updated PowerDVD 7.3 to the latest version and Babysitters stopped working completely. Road to Rio/Road to Bali stopped working as well, at the exact same time.

After I ran this PowerDVD update I started running into problems, and went back to using my also newly updated Arcsoft TotalMedia Theater. I had ArcSoft TMT set as the program for Vista to run when a Blu-ray or HD-DVD was put in the drive. Well, I plug in a Blu-ray disk... and ArcSoft TMT starts up like it should PLUS PowerDVD 7.3 auto-starts as well! I thought this was extremely odd, double checked my auto-run settings.. and they were still set to ArcSoft TMT. Well, I found out during this process that PowerDVD 7.3 actually has a "Service" program it runs at Windows startup, that is running in the background and force auto-starting disks even when PowerDVD isn't SET for the Auto-start program on hi-def disks. I removed this program from startup, rebooted the machine, and it's not running anymore.

Shortly after this I ran out of time and haven't had a chance to recheck those disks, however I have a sneaking suspicion that a PowerDVD update actually broke the functionality of those disks due to this "Service Registry" program it runs at startup now for PowerDVD. That program was interfereing with reading of certain disks that PowerDVD can't read, but ArcSoft could.

I will test further tonight, let everyone know what my results are.

You guys do know that latest version of Power DVD removed HD DVD playback support entirely, right?

You guys do know that latest version of Power DVD removed HD DVD playback support entirely, right?

You are speaking of the 8.0 version of Power DVD Ultra (don't think it's actually got the "Ultra" anymore.. but still). We are talking about the 7.3 version, i.e. the "old one". At present the latest patch for 7.3 plays all but 3 of my HD-DVD's just fine. The ones I'm having problems: Die Fledermaus, Babysitters, Road to Rio/Road to Bali. Everything else HD-DVD based in my collection (link available below) plays just dandy.

Oh and FYI, you can actually ADD HD-DVD support back into Power DVD 8.0, there are threads about how to do it here on this forum.

Yeah, I'm using PDVD Ultra 7.3 version 3319a - the last version that would still play files ripped to the hard drive. At first I thought not using the most current version was the problem, but that 3319a was a good version that was widely in use around the time of the release of Babysitters initially. The reason I think it's a drive issue is because I can't even get the disc to mount. AnyDVD HD reports that my LG drives are empty when the disc is inside and anydvd does its decryption check. The disc's content doesn't come up in "My Computer" for me to access the files. Babysitters works in my xbox 360 add on however - which is just an external Toshiba drive. All my players are Toshiba based and I have no problems loading/playing the disc. Only with the LGs do I have a problem. The Blu ray version of Babysitters that I borrowed from a buddy works fine in both LGs.

Yeah, I'm using PDVD Ultra 7.3 version 3319a - the last version that would still play files ripped to the hard drive. At first I thought not using the most current version was the problem, but that 3319a was a good version that was widely in use around the time of the release of Babysitters initially. The reason I think it's a drive issue is because I can't even get the disc to mount. AnyDVD HD reports that my LG drives are empty when the disc is inside and anydvd does it's decryption check. The disc's content doesn't come up in "My Computer" for me to access the files. Babysitters works in my xbox 360 add on however - which is just an external Toshiba drive. All my players are Toshiba based and I have no problems loading/playing the disc. Only with the LGs do I have a problem. The Blu ray version of Babysitters that I borrowed from a buddy works fine in both LGs.

That's the kooky thing for me tho, I actually had Babysitters (among other -now problematic- titles) working just fine for a good few months. Then overnight it stops working (literally, was showing off the title to some buddies on a Wednesday night, and it worked. Next day I update PowerDVD 7.3 to latest version.. and that disk was still in the drive. From that point on it wouldn't play at all.. still won't even mount.) no matter what I try. It's baffling.

I am sitting here trying to figure out.. what went strange during that overnight period where the title stopped working? I don't think Windows downloaded new drivers for the LG Drive.. but I guess I can't be 100% sure?

I am sitting here trying to figure out.. what went strange during that overnight period where the title stopped working? I don't think Windows downloaded new drivers for the LG Drive.. but I guess I can't be 100% sure?Verrrry inneresting. Actually I don't think there ARE special drivers for the LG--they're just standard Windows drivers? And unless you have Windows Updates enabled for automatic download & installation nothing should have happened overnight.

An obvious thing to try is to use Windows' Restore and revert to an older restore point.

Barring that, maybe you worked it too hard i.e. baked the thing by leaving it in the drive!!???

Barring that, maybe you worked it too hard i.e. baked the thing by leaving it in the drive!!???

E-Z Bake Blu-Ray Player? Hehe

I do have Windows Update set to Automatic Update on my HTPC. I guess it's time to see if I can uninstall that drive and completely reinstall it.. maybe it will find some corrected drivers in the process.

I guess it's time to see if I can uninstall that drive and completely reinstall it.. maybe it will find some corrected drivers in the process.If you don't have System Restore turned-on, well you really ought to.

I only started using it in the last 6 months or so and it's come in handy (even saved my butt) more than a couple of times!

You can roll back device drivers in Device Manager w/o going through a full system restore. That is, assume the driver in question is listed there.

You can roll back device drivers in Device Manager w/o going through a full system restore. That is, assume the driver in question is listed there.

Honestly I'd much much rather rollback the drivers than do a full System Restore to point several months back. Maybe I'll fiddle with it tonight and try this.

Honestly I'd much much rather rollback the drivers than do a full System Restore to point several months back. Maybe I'll fiddle with it tonight and try this.Hmmm, my XP system makes Restore points every day!? Why are yours so old...?

Hmmm, my XP system makes Restore points every day!? Why are yours so old...?

Because the point it stopped working was MONTHS ago. I initially did not try to mess with the drivers, specifically because I was using PowerDVD Ultra 7.3 which is notorious for re-breaking title functionality with new patchs. I had just patched between the 2 days that I had the title working , and when it stopped working. So I wrote it off as a bug with PowerDVD.

However, months later, I install ArcSoft TMT.. update it completely.. and check these same titles, still no functionality. Uninstall PowerDVD Ultra, still no functionality. While I am NOW positive that it has something to do with the drivers for the LG Drive itself.. then I was thinking otherwise.

This means I would literally have to roll back through around 9 months of restore points, completely losing a very long list of software and accessories I have since installed. So rewinding to a Restore Point isn't an option anymore.

So rewinding to a Restore Point isn't an option anymore.I wasn't disputing that. But if you're saying that System Restore is broken and not working anymore, then I might suggest that you try to find out why and get it fixed, as you've said your PC is doing "kooky things". Rule #1 is "Fix known problems", because often times when you do that the "kooky" ones go away. Something's amiss with your Windows installation...

I wasn't disputing that. But if you're saying that System Restore is broken and not working anymore, then I might suggest that you try to find out why and get it fixed, as you've said your PC is doing "kooky things". Rule #1 is "Fix known problems", because often times when you do that the "kooky" ones go away. Something's amiss with your Windows installation...

... at no point have I indicated that there is ANYTHING wrong with my System Restore function within Windows Vista. The only feasible issue I have right now is "potentially" the drivers for my LG Hybrid Drive.. that's about it. I originally suspected the issue was Power DVD Ultra when it started up some months back , specifically because the exact same thing had been happening with other titles. I patch PowerDVD, something stops working, patch it a month later.. that title starts working again. It's standard routine with PowerDVD Ultra.

Because of this I never worried about it. Until I switched from PowerDVD Ultra to ArcSoft Total Media Theater. I uninstalled Cyberlink PowerDVD when switching to ArcSoft TMT, and the trouble titles that stopped working under PowerDVD.. were STILL not working. This made me think "Oh great, bad disks ALREADY!".

No.. checked the disks in two other systems (independant players , one an XBOX 360), and still no functionality. I'm now trying to come up with other leads... which is looking like the drivers for the unit.

I'll keep hacking away at it, but it doesn't have anything to do with a broken System Restore function that I never alluded to. My system behaves amazingly.. except for 2 HD-DVD's.

I was just trying to help! You said:
...I actually had Babysitters (among other -now problematic- titles) working just fine for a good few months. Then overnight it stops working (literally, was showing off the title to some buddies on a Wednesday night, and it worked. Next day I update PowerDVD 7.3 to latest version.. and that disk was still in the drive. From that point on it wouldn't play at all.. still won't even mount.) no matter what I try. It's baffling.So it apparently broke when you "update PowerDVD". So I suggested "System Restore", which should/would normally "take you back to Wednesday night" and you said:

Honestly I'd much much rather rollback the drivers than do a full System Restore to point several months back.Why "several months back" when System Restore creates a restore point every day the PC runs, so I think your Sys Restore is broke. Further, you say:

Because the point it stopped working was MONTHS ago.So I don't get what you're saying, maybe you meant first that fateful Wednesday night was "many months back" in which case you should have done it (a Sys Restore) way-back-then? That would clear up my confusion. But never mind. I'm gone & won't be back! :p

I finally got around to sending LG a report on the Digital Playground HD DVD Babysitters through their website. Hopefully I'll get a response soon. I'd like to hear that they will be able to fix this matter with a firmware update. We'll see...

So far I think there has only been 1 firmware update from 1.00 to 1.02 , can someone else confirm this?

Quick question on this player.
I would like to "buy" this player but not 100% sure on required specs. That is, running XP64 bit, AMD dual core 4400+, 4 gig mem, 7300gt 512meg,
19" Acer monitor (multi-LCD set-up display including NEC183 & Dell 17" LCD).

Will this player run on present set-up ?
Read about monitor & video card compatibility issues and not sure about HTPC, et al.
Any feedback appreciated. Got lots of BR and HD's to view (beside using home theater equipment).

The only requirement to run this is SATA!

The only requirement to run this is SATA!

Thanks if it's all there is to it. I do have SATA inputs. Just wondering about the problems other users are having with monitors/video cards having HTPC compatibility or whatever I haven't read about it.
Any additional info would be helpful before purchase.

There's a world of issues with HD playback--best place to start looking maybe is the Home Theater Computers forum here.

There's a world of issues with HD playback--best place to start looking maybe is the Home Theater Computers forum here.

I went throught the HTPC forums (I have a *little* time on my hands at work right now.....) and there isn't one for this unit.

But since it claims to play both (mine certainly does), this is as right a place as elsewhere.

I did notice somehting with mine with play back. I have PowerDVD 8 Ultra and Beowulf wouldn't play, either disc. Eventually, I walked away and did something else and lo and behold, the sw must have gone out and dl'ed something as Beowulf now plays!

I'm thinking of ditching my A35 and using this with the DVI HDMI cable that I have to the 805. My HD DVD collection is shrinking as Red becomes Blu....

Seggers

Towards the end of the list page is a forum for the earlier unit as well....

Seggers