www.makemkv.com

I have 2 Pioneer BDR-UD04 drives. When I initially got them, both had firmware version 1.20 and Libredrive worked on both.

However yesterday when I tried to rip something, I noticed one of them was acting weird.
The one giving me problems would not show a firmware date, and would not show any Libredrive information in MakeMKV.

Firmware version are still both 1.20.

I inserted a Blu Ray into the problematic drive and it would only rip at 2.1x instead of the full speed the drive is capable of.

I have tried different USB ports, different computers, different enclosures, all the same results.

firmware dump of problematic in attachments

Working Drive Info: Not working drive info:

More updates on the problematic drive:

It won't even read CDs properly, both trying to open the disc in a player, and also trying to rip in XLD. Probably safe to say the drive is toast?

Have you tried cleaning the drive optics?

Gently wipe the drive optics with a Q-tip dipped in isopropyl alcohol and then before it dries, wipe any residue off with a clean microfiber towel.

dcoke22 wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 30, 2025 4:55 pm

Have you tried cleaning the drive optics?

Gently wipe the drive optics with a Q-tip dipped in isopropyl alcohol and then before it dries, wipe any residue off with a clean microfiber towel.

I haven't, but would it make a difference in my case? The firmware information read by MakeMKV is weird to begin with even without anything in the drive.

Ah, because the LibreDrive section is missing on the non-working drive. Probably not, since optics probably aren't your problem.

I don't know what that means. Maybe Billycar11 or MartyMcNuts will comment if they've seen anything like it before.

I have never seen a case like this. It's either a hardware defect (most likely) or the drive got somehow into kernel mode (very unlikely). If you want you can try to flash it if it is in kernel mode. Let me know.

Coopervid wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 31, 2025 6:36 pm

I have never seen a case like this. It's either a hardware defect (most likely) or the drive got somehow into kernel mode (very unlikely). If you want you can try to flash it if it is in kernel mode. Let me know.

Would be worth a try for me. Worst case would be bricking a drive that's already defective anyways. Old stock Pioneer drives aren't the easiest to get for me since I have to order them from China and have them shipped internationally.

tairitsu001 wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 01, 2025 9:50 am

Coopervid wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 31, 2025 6:36 pm

I have never seen a case like this. It's either a hardware defect (most likely) or the drive got somehow into kernel mode (very unlikely). If you want you can try to flash it if it is in kernel mode. Let me know.

Would be worth a try for me. Worst case would be bricking a drive that's already defective anyways. Old stock Pioneer drives aren't the easiest to get for me since I have to order them from China and have them shipped internationally.

PM sent.

Another hint. The Verbatim enclosures are not very reliable and tend to die early. If flashing doesn't work (I expect so ) get the drive out of the enclosure and put it in a new one or connect via USB->SATA controller and mini to full SATA adapter. BENFEI ist cheap and works.