rbazev Posted May 13, 2003 Report Share Posted May 13, 2003 Could someone at Dantz please explain to me why the internal superdrive of a computer released over 9 months ago (Hitachi DVD-RW GCA-4020B in the iMac 17'' 800) is not yet supported by Retrospect 5 for Mac OS X? (I'm running the latest versions of the Retrospect Workgroup Server, Client and Driver Update, under Mac OS X 10.2.6). I find this very disappointing for a product in this price range. Thanks for any information. R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyJ Posted May 13, 2003 Report Share Posted May 13, 2003 The HLDS GCA-4020B (Apple version) drive has been qualified and listed on our website since February, 2003. http://www.dantz.com/index.php3?SCREEN=compatibility_list_detail&id=8828 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbazev Posted May 13, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2003 AmyC wrote: Quote: The HLDS GCA-4020B (Apple version) drive has been qualified and listed on our website since February, 2003. http://www.dantz.com/index.php3?SCREEN=compatibility_list_detail&id=8828 Thanks for your reply. However, that page is unhelpful because it lists the device as supported and then describes some vague problems under OS 9. The inability to backup to DVDs which I and others have experienced is not mentioned: http://forums.dantz.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=expressx&Number=25313&Main=23474#Post25313 http://discussions.info.apple.com/WebX?13@140.NMw1aAcElyx.16@.3bbaa16a/7 The problem seems to be that my iMac (and that of others, although I don't know if every model has this problem) did not come with the supposed minimum firmware D02F, but D02D and neither you nor Apple offer a solution for this problem. Are you at least working on a solution? Sincerely, R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyJ Posted May 14, 2003 Report Share Posted May 14, 2003 We are working with Apple to help facilitate the release of firmware updates for drives that were shipped with older firmware. Dantz does not own the firmware, and cannot legally distribute it, nor do we even have a firmware updater. The drive is supported, providing the minimum requirements are met. It is not new for drives to have minimum firmware requirements for support. We've had many drives over the years which require a minimum version. However, in most cases, the hardware vendor provides updaters for the firmware to existing customers. Firmware updates address hardware defects, just as software updates and patches address software defects. If a drive uses firmware that does not allow for data to be backed up and restored reliably, we won't qualify it. To be notified when, and if, firmware updates become available, please sign up for the following mailing list: http://list.dantz.com/mailman/listinfo/8121_firmware Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbazev Posted May 16, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2003 Thanks for the clarification. I'm relieved to hear that Dantz are working with Apple on a solution. I hope one is found soon because it's taken a whole week and 17 CDs to backup and verify the "Users" directory of my backup server (with compression and some filtering turned on). At this rate it's going to take me a looong time to do complete the first backup for the 4 other computers in my network... All the best, Ricardo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbishop Posted May 16, 2003 Report Share Posted May 16, 2003 Does this also apply to my 17" iMac 1GHz with a Pioneer SuperDrive? Retrospect refuses to recognize the disc for backup even though it's mounted on the desktop and shows up under "devices." This is the second Mac I've owned that I've been unable to backup with Retrospect despite being supposedly compatible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyJ Posted May 19, 2003 Report Share Posted May 19, 2003 While in Retrospect, go to Configure > Devices > Device Status and list Vendor, Product and Version for your drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbishop Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 It's a Pioneer DVD-RW, DVR-105, device revision A506. Not on your list, I believe. I thought all the new Mac's were compatible, but I guess I was wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsteinb Posted July 4, 2003 Report Share Posted July 4, 2003 The mailing list you point to is not about the HLDS GCA-4020B (the drivein the 17" imac). Is there a mailing list for this drive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyJ Posted July 11, 2003 Report Share Posted July 11, 2003 As of today the Pioneer DVR-105 (Apple version) is supported by Retrospect 5.0 with RDU 3.3.104 and later. Only DVD-R and DVD-RW media is supported with this drive and Retrospect. CD-R and CD-RW media is not supported for use with Retrospect. Dantz recommends using Apple branded DVD-R media with this drive. The GCA-4020B is supported by Retrospect: http://www.dantz.com/index.php3?SCREEN=compatibility_list_detail&id=8828 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsteinb Posted July 15, 2003 Report Share Posted July 15, 2003 Quote: The GCA-4020B is supported by Retrospect But only with newer firmware than I have. Is there any progress on making the required firmware available? Is there a way to request notification when it is available? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyJ Posted July 16, 2003 Report Share Posted July 16, 2003 We are still in the process of working with Apple on getting firmware for older drives. I would advise signing up for the 8121 newsletter, which may include information on other drives when information becomes available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayoff Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 Dantz has worked very closely with Apple to improve Retrospect support for optical storage devices that ship with your Macintosh hardware. Now available on the Dantz website are Apple firmware updates for the MATSHITA CW-8121 Combo Drive and MATSHITA UJ-815 SuperDrive. The Apple CW-8121 firmware updater is for customers with earlier versions of the PowerBook G4. It updates the CW-8121 pre -AA21 firmware to AA21. The Apple CW-8121 firmware update requires Mac OS 9 to update. The Apple UF-815 firmware updater is for customers with earlier versions of the PowerBook G4 with pre-D0CB firmware. It updates the UJ-815 firmware to D0CB. The Apple UJ-815 firmware update requires Mac OS X to update. THE APPLE FIRMWARE UPDATES ONLY PROVIDE CHANGES NECESSARY FOR RETROSPECT SUPPORT AND ARE NOT NEEDED BY NON-RETROSPECT CUSTOMERS WITH OLDER DRIVE FIRMWARE. Download info and critical upgrade directions are found at the following URL: http://www.dantz.com/index.php3?SCREEN=kbase&ACTION=KBASE&id=28020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.