Ricoh DVD/cd writer question.

I recently acquired a Ricoh MP9120A DVD/CDwriter from a rummage sale for $5. I thought it was a good buy till I tried to get the Drivers and the Bundled software off the internet. I downloaded various free DVD software and the one that seems to work the best only works for about five minutes, then the screen freezes (the video stops , just as if I pressed the pause button) but the sound continues as if nothing is wrong.
Ricoh.com is extremely unhelpful as far as support. They dont have the drivers archived or any of the software needed to work the thing. I found drivers on other sites and, like I said, found a free DVD software program [here](http://www.fwnetwork.com/description/fsdvdplayer.html) but the video locks up. It runs pretty fluid (unchoppy) right up intil it locks up. I havent tried to burn anything yet because I have a burner already. I just wanted it for the DVD rom useage.

System=HP Kayak
PII - 333 mhz
190 - megs RAM
32 meg g-force video card
DVD rom setting is checked for DMA

Could it be that the system is getting loaded up and the computer says “enough”? Or could it be a software issue?
I`m trying to avoid the roughly $40 expenditure to get a good off-the-shelf DVD rom utility.

I have tried other “limited use” software that gives me 5 minutes of video then tells me to upgrade to the unlimited version in order to continue. These work fine (though a little choppy) until the “trial” period of five minutes is reached.

If anyone knows about this particular unit please help!!

Also, what is the difference between “firmware”, “drivers”, and the “operating software”? And where or if I can still get them for this unit.

Go here.

Some more info here.

Thanks QED, How did I know you`d be able to help me?

I will try these when I get home.

For all the searching I did over the weekend I couldnt get any good info from Ricoh.com. I dont believe the first link you supplied was one of the ones I tried yet. I will know for sure when I get home.

In Ricohs FAQ area they just told everyone who lost their bundled software to get it from the distributer that they bought the drive from.

Thanks.

I haven’t found the actual drivers, though it sounds like you did, but it’s possible the firmware upgrade might help. And that second page sounded kinda like your problem, with the skipping video and all.

Both those links were from Ricoh’s European or Japanese sites. The American one was useless. Who woulda guessed?

I actually went to one of their Japanese sites and had to have it translated via some software. It offered a little help but not to the extent I was looking for.

From the second link; “When the drive is working well it is not nessalily to use this tool.”
Note the spelling of necessary. A classic.

I had actually tried the first link on Sunday. I have the download already, I just didnt know for sure till I got home now. It didnt work.
The other link for the drive transfer mode didnt work either. It couldnt find the target drive to transfer.
Im thinking I may need the updated drivers if anyone knows where to get them Id appreciate it.
Or more free DVD software utilities to try out.
Thanks.