New Asus BW-16D1HT: MakeMKV 1.18.2 stuck at Scanning CD-ROM devices, 1.17.7 crashes

[nigel_pyjamas]

I have been using MakeMKV without any issues for years with my old Lite-On blu-ray drive, and more recently on Linux (Mint).

Last week, I purchased a new BW-16D1HT on Amazon, since it was recommended on the Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025 page. Now, when launching MakeMKV, it hangs at "Scanning CD-ROM devices" forever.

What I tried so far:

• Uninstalled makemkv and makemkvcon 1.18 (I think), then installed 1.17.7 (that one crashes immediately on launch)
  Tried VLC and Handbrake: they will list some of the short tracks, but will not list the main movie file
  When running "makemkvcon f -l", it says "found 1 drive" and lists it properly
  The drive appears when I insert a blu-ray or DVD, and I can browse the files normally. I can even watch some of the files, though the playback is very choppy
  Turned off my PC, waited for 5 minutes, and tried again

While I had 1.17.7 installed, I even tried flashing the drive using this command:

Code: Select all

./makemkvcon f -d 'dev_21:1' -f /tmp/sdf.bin rawflash enc -i /tmp/ASUS-BW-16D1HT-3.10-WM01601-211901041014.bin

but I get an error message:

Reading input file /tmp/ASUS-BW-16D1HT-3.10-WM01601-211901041014.bin
Flashing flags = 0x0 : 0 0 0 0 : ---- ---- ---- ----
Sending image in encrypted format
There is a disc in drive, please remove it and try again
DEBUG: Code 4278542595 at 4x}OdB6]jwJ6=qYm;3kV-<Z@yk:nX!bk:29396644
Command produced error code 0xff056103

There is no disc in the drive.

Also tried with sudo, to no avail.

I turned on the logs, this is what I get:

Debug log started at Fri Nov 14 08:46:40 2025 , written by MakeMKV v1.18.2 linux(x64-release)
001005:0000 MakeMKV v1.18.2 linux(x64-release) started
001004:0000 Debug logging enabled, log will be saved as file:///home/nigel/MakeMKV_log.txt
Using 262272KB for read cache.
Network access is ENABLED, CURL version 8.5.0/OpenSSL/3.0.13/1.59.0 (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu) , proxy server not set.
001003:0020 DEBUG: Code 0 at [$&!cPHsNoNC,vJT%<05$ :29393631
No SDF v0a2: ASUS_BW-16D1HT_3.11_212012011759_KLEP48G2326
SDF auto v0a2: ASUS_BW-16D1HT_3.11_212012011759_KLEP48G2326

By the way, the first time I booted my PC with the new drive, I heard this nasty Commodore 64-like sound. This is normal, right? The drive seems to be reading data discs fine.
I would like to know if the problem is the firmware, which might be blocking copyrighted material, or is my drive DOA.

Oh, and I checked the sticker on the drive, and it says 2025...

Finally, as a reminder, I'm on Linux Mint.

[Coopervid]

I have been using MakeMKV without any issues for years with my old Lite-On blu-ray drive, and more recently on Linux (Mint).

Last week, I purchased a new BW-16D1HT on Amazon, since it was recommended on the Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025 page. Now, when launching MakeMKV, it hangs at "Scanning CD-ROM devices" forever.

What I tried so far:

• Uninstalled makemkv and makemkvcon 1.18 (I think), then installed 1.17.7 (that one crashes immediately on launch)
  Tried VLC and Handbrake: they will list some of the short tracks, but will not list the main movie file
  When running "makemkvcon f -l", it says "found 1 drive" and lists it properly
  The drive appears when I insert a blu-ray or DVD, and I can browse the files normally. I can even watch some of the files, though the playback is very choppy
  Turned off my PC, waited for 5 minutes, and tried again

While I had 1.17.7 installed, I even tried flashing the drive using this command:

Code: Select all

./makemkvcon f -d 'dev_21:1' -f /tmp/sdf.bin rawflash enc -i /tmp/ASUS-BW-16D1HT-3.10-WM01601-211901041014.bin

but I get an error message:

Reading input file /tmp/ASUS-BW-16D1HT-3.10-WM01601-211901041014.bin
Flashing flags = 0x0 : 0 0 0 0 : ---- ---- ---- ----
Sending image in encrypted format
There is a disc in drive, please remove it and try again
DEBUG: Code 4278542595 at 4x}OdB6]jwJ6=qYm;3kV-<Z@yk:nX!bk:29396644
Command produced error code 0xff056103

There is no disc in the drive.

Also tried with sudo, to no avail.

I turned on the logs, this is what I get:

Debug log started at Fri Nov 14 08:46:40 2025 , written by MakeMKV v1.18.2 linux(x64-release)
001005:0000 MakeMKV v1.18.2 linux(x64-release) started
001004:0000 Debug logging enabled, log will be saved as file:///home/nigel/MakeMKV_log.txt
Using 262272KB for read cache.
Network access is ENABLED, CURL version 8.5.0/OpenSSL/3.0.13/1.59.0 (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu) , proxy server not set.
001003:0020 DEBUG: Code 0 at [$&!cPHsNoNC,vJT%<05$ :29393631
No SDF v0a2: ASUS_BW-16D1HT_3.11_212012011759_KLEP48G2326
SDF auto v0a2: ASUS_BW-16D1HT_3.11_212012011759_KLEP48G2326

By the way, the first time I booted my PC with the new drive, I heard this nasty Commodore 64-like sound. This is normal, right? The drive seems to be reading data discs fine.
I would like to know if the problem is the firmware, which might be blocking copyrighted material, or is my drive DOA.

Oh, and I checked the sticker on the drive, and it says 2025...

Finally, as a reminder, I'm on Linux Mint.

Read this:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=37670

and flashing according to the guide works like that:

. type "./makemkvcon f -l"

This will show your drive identifier should look similar to this ''/IOBDServices/D5D25996'
Found 1 drives(s)
00: /IOBDServices/D5D25996, /dev/rdisk3, /dev/rdisk3
HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BU40N_1.01_211910161032_MOFK6283224


7. to perform the flash, type "./makemkvcon f -d '/IOBDServices/D5D25996' -f /tmp/sdf.bin rawflash main -i /tmp/your firmware filename here
or ./makemkvcon f -d '/IOBDServices/D5D25996' -f /tmp/sdf.bin rawflash enc -i /tmp/your firmware filename here
if your firmware is on the encrypted list

[nigel_pyjamas]

Thank you for your answer.

Read this:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=37670

As I mentioned in the original post, I also tried using 1.17.7, but the program crashes on launch. I've juste tried 1.17.6, same result.
I've also tried some disc swap stuff suggested in the thread you suggested, to no avail.

. type "./makemkvcon f -l"

The result is:

00: dev_21:1, /dev/sr0, /dev/sr0
ASUS_BW-16D1HT_3.11_212012011759_KLEP48G2326

The drive is thus listed as "00: dev_21:1". Does that mean that there is a problem with the drive?

Lastly, this still doesn't explain why VLC and handbrake also have a problem reading discs. New firmwareDRM, perhaps?

[dcoke22]

Did you try using /dev/sr0 ?

[nigel_pyjamas]

Did you try using /dev/sr0 ?

Yes, I have. No luck.

[Coopervid]

Did you try using /dev/sr0 ?

Yes, I have. No luck.

Go to the Linux directory with your issue.