Defective Verbatim 43888 RMA experiences
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2026 7:39 am
My Verbatim 43888 (BU40N) presumably died recently when it didn’t read a new 4K (not showing up in Windows Explorer).
It was able to read a known working 4K afterwards but only once since then it tries for all types of discs CDs to 4Ks, three times and stops or spits them out.
I cleaned the laser assembly with q tips and 99% alcohol to no avail.
Because the drive is under warranty (in use for half a year), I intend to get it replaced through Verbatim. For that, I‘m unsure whether they check the firmware for the RMA process, as I downgraded it from 1.05 to 1.03.
I consider using the LG firmware 1.05 as it’s available online to mask the firmware tampering.
So my main question is if people here are familiar with the Verbatim RMA process and how to restore the original firmware best.
My other avenue is the retailer, but they only refund and don’t replace. As these drives got more expensive, I would prefer a replacement.
It was able to read a known working 4K afterwards but only once since then it tries for all types of discs CDs to 4Ks, three times and stops or spits them out.
I cleaned the laser assembly with q tips and 99% alcohol to no avail.
Because the drive is under warranty (in use for half a year), I intend to get it replaced through Verbatim. For that, I‘m unsure whether they check the firmware for the RMA process, as I downgraded it from 1.05 to 1.03.
I consider using the LG firmware 1.05 as it’s available online to mask the firmware tampering.
So my main question is if people here are familiar with the Verbatim RMA process and how to restore the original firmware best.
My other avenue is the retailer, but they only refund and don’t replace. As these drives got more expensive, I would prefer a replacement.