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I'd like to compile a list of CD-ROM drives that people have found work when trying to extract data into an ISO from CD-READY Discs.

I've found the SAMSUNG CDRW/DVD SM-352F works an absolute treat and I'd appreciate hearing other peoples experience with this tricky format!

Compatible drives list according to CDinteractive members...

• SAMSUNG CDRW/DVD SM-352F
  PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-106D
  SONY DVD RW DW-U18A [UPGRADED WITH LITE-ON DVD+RW SOHW-822S VSOE FIRMWARE]

Updated on 25 January 2008

I have a PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-106D and it has never given me any trouble. By previous PC also had a PIONEER drive and it worked flawlessly.

Possibly one of the worst drives I ever had was a SONY DVD RW DW-U18A. An inherent error in the drive meant it couldn't read discs the first time it was inserted. Which meant the old open - close - open - close technique had to be used before... with any luck, it'd recognise the CD/DVD! So I'd had enough, but then I discovered it's possible to flash the drives firmware and possibly open up Dual-Layer Burning and also multi-region playback.

So I went ahead and flashed my drives firmware so it's now recognised as a LITE-ON DVD+RW SOHW-822S VSOE. With the firmware update the drive now works flawlessly and even plays DVDs from around the world. Also it now allows me to extract perfect working ISO from a CD-READY Disc. Not bad for a freely available and accessible firmware upgrade!

My old Pc's Plextor CD Writer drive had no problem reading form them not sure about the new PC's as I haven't tried either of them yet.