Before running out to buy the latest and greatest disc duplicator, try our few simple solutions to see if you can solve your equipment problems on your own.

Let’s start with the basics.

Make sure your machine is running quiet and smooth. Any malfunctions may be a result of your equipment not getting the proper ventilation.  And always make sure you try a second or even third DVD just to make doubly sure that your problem isn’t the disc itself; the original disc may just be scratched, smudged, or dirty.

If power is your problem…

There’s no harm in checking the power source itself. Try plugging in other cords into the outlet your malfunctioning device is using, and, as the reverse, try plugging you device into another outlet. Also, make sure your surge protector works in a different outlet. If all those options seem to work, you may just need to replace the power cord of your device and not the entire machine itself.

Considering that internal DVD drives are powered by connector, try another one. If this doesn’t work, the drive is most likely faulty.

If the tray is your problem…

Always start with a reboot; your device may have simply experienced a minor glitch. Upon reboot pay attention to the display to make sure the device shows up as installed hardware. You may have to access your BIOS to see if the device is registered.

The next step is to manually eject the tray using a small, but firm object to fit in the pinhole in front of the drive. You may need to try physically opening the tray by wedging something small — like a paperclip — in between the device and the tray to snatch the disc that’s stuck.

If recognition is your problem…

Access your operating system by clicking on My Computer to show the drives with removable storage. If the drive shows up, select properties by right clicking to see if the “drive is working properly” icon message appears. The absence of the message means the drive is not working properly, and you may be able to update the device driver by rebooting and accessing the cmos set up.

If the drive never shows up it may not be properly installed or the cables may not be properly connected. It’s also possible that you just have a faulty drive or data cable on your hands.

Always remember that the support site for your device may have tutorials, help functionalities, or support services. It’s always important to check for updates for the latest device drivers or patches for your systems.

A new chip from one of the leading ICs will enable the production of smaller, lower-cost Blu-ray players and recorders as Blu-ray becomes more mainstream. STMicroelectronics says its new STODD01 IC power supply, with high-voltage power, can operate the full circuitry of a Blu-ray player, including the driver needed for HD read/write capabilities, by integrating three power supplies.

This new form of integration eliminates the need for multiple individual power supplies, cutting down on component costs, design complexity, production time, and board size. And on top of the fact that STODD01 is already known for highly efficient switched-mode conversion and that is now also incorporates a new shutdown mode to minimize standby power consumers, this new release could open the Blu-ray industry wide open to all types of consumers — lower cost home and mobile HD product buyers.

One major manufacturer has already qualified the STODD01.

SanDisk has finally announced its release of the new flash iSSD (solid state drive) – the “i” stands for “integrated” – for tablet personal computers and ultra-thin notebooks. After much speculation, the drive from SanDisk, reportedly supports serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) in a small ball grid array (BGA) package.

Adaptable for advanced mobile computing operating systems, the SanDisk iSSD drive can be soldered onto any motherboard to be used on both Windows 7 and Mac OS X.

At 16 mm x 20 mm x 1.85mm – close in size to a postage stamp – and weighing less than 1 gram, the drive offers 160 MB/second sequential read and 100 MB/sequential write speeds and can store anywhere from 4GB to 64GB worth of memory. This is a significant increase in system responsiveness and storage capacity.

“New embedded SSDs, such as the SanDisk iSSD drive, which meet the stringent size requirements of small and light devices while offering greater performance, are designed to enable OEMs to deliver an enhanced user experience in their next-generation designs,” said Jeff Janukowicz, an analyst for IDC.

The iSSD drive is currently only available for equipment manufacturers.

Vinpower Digital Rolls Out Manual Tower Duplicators

The California-based company Vinpower announced last week a new series of compact, manual CD, DVD, and Blu-ray duplicators called SlimMicro. These duplicators are a slimmed-down version of the companies SharkCopier series, but only in size.

Available in CD / DVD or CD / DVD / Blu-ray configurations and with four or five writer drives, Vinpower’s new duplicators pack a big punch in a small package – shoebox size to be exact. The SlimMicro was designed for a small workspace or for travel, and because it’s a standalone device a SlimMicro duplicator can be powered up anywhere an electrical outlet is available.

The SlimMicro series was originally developed as part of a joint venture between Vinpower and SHINANO KENSHI CO, LTD. as part of the PlexCopier line for release in Europe and Japan only. Vinpower obtained rights to release its own version of the product in the United States.

MAM-A Completes Upgrade to Only U.S.-Made Media Line

As the only CD-R and DVD-R/+R producer to offer products made in the United States, MAM-A has injected some juice into its homemade brand. The company recently completed an upgrade to its Colorado Springs manufacturing facility and is now able to offer a full range of “Made in the USA” silver CD-R and DVD-R/+R products, plus its 24kt Gold Archival CD-R and DVD-R/R+ recordable media products.

This expansion gives more companies and consumers to option to buy local and cut down on their import tariffs.

Calibre 1080 DVD PC Line Discontinued

Styron, the Michigan-based company, has announced the Calibre 1060 DVD as the successor to the 1080 DVD PC resin, which the company recently discontinued. The Calibre 1060 will be available worldwide and will feature new functionality for all the company’s CD, DVD, and Blu-ray duplicator applications, including improved ductility and toughness. The new application offers high-flow capabilities, fast cycle times, and good pit replication for improved yields.

Remember that 3.5 inch square piece of plastic with the metal tip that fit so well into that small, skinny slot in your computer?

Can’t think back that far? Let’s refresh your memory; it’s called the floppy disk. Now that’s erase that from your memory, because if you didn’t know already, the floppy disk is well on it’s way to technology heaven.

Sony hammered yet one more nail into that coffin recently by announcing that as of 2011 it will no longer sell the floppy disk.

After nearly 30 years in the floppy disk market, the floppy disc began its demise in 1998 when Apple left the floppy disc drive off its G3 iMac. Now, according to the BBC. Sony has announced that it will cut off all sales of the antiquated storage medium in Japan next year. Earlier this year Sony suspended sales of its floppy disc in other international markets.

Floppies were initially introduced in the 1970s in an 8-inch format, available for use by Apple II and IBM personal computer users. In the 1980s the disc was reformatted to 5.5-inch version. After shrinking in physical size to the well known 3.5-incher, the disc continued to increase in storage capacity to the standard 1.44MB size.

While this move may come as no surprise to the millions of computer users out there, Sony’s competitors in the media storage industry, including Verbatim, Imation (3M), and Maxwell, have yet to abandon this sales chain.

After the floppy came the short-lived success of the Zip disk, Insite’s Floptical drive and the hybrid Imation’s 120MB SuperDisk, both serving merely as a transition medium to the CD disc – spurred on by the proliferation of CD burning – and then to thumb-drive storage. The future of the hard disc drive really came into question by analysts when personal PC computer giant Dell agreed to “drop the flop” in 2003, and it has been downhill for the disc ever since.

Farewell floppy friend; you served us well but your time has come.