The three most common reasons for CD drive issues are:
- Low quality CD-R/RW discs
Note: Most of the time, this is the source of the problem - A CD drive issue
- Hard-drive fragmentation
The following information may help you pinpoint and resolve your problem.
1. LOW QUALITY CD-R/RW DISCS
Approximately 90% of the correspondence we receive regarding failed burns are due to error-prone CD-R media. Because we insist our products create pressing plant-ready CD masters, only specific CD-R brands have a satisfactorily low error rate to burn properly. Look for CD-Rs manufactured at the Taiyo Yuden plant in Japan. If the CD-Rs say "MADE IN JAPAN" anywhere on the packaging, they should work just fine. Below are a few brands that we have had good success with:
Taiyo Yuden, Discmakers, Microboards, Plextor, Apogee, BASF, HHB, and Mitsui Gold.
Avoid common off the shelf, low quality and error prone CDs such as Memorex, TDK, Maxell, Sony, Imation and Verbatum.
2. CD-DRIVE ISSUE
- If the CD drive is not recognized by the VS recorder:
- Be sure that the VS-1680 is operating at it's latest version:
https://www.roland.com/global/products/vs-1680/downloads/
Note: Due to the age of the product, Roland does not have any update resources beyond the above download page and does not have any operational support for updating the VS recorders. Please follow the update instructions included with the download. - Be sure that the drive is compatible:
Compatible SCSI CD Drive and SCSI Cable
- Be sure that the VS-1680 is operating at it's latest version:
- If the CD drive is recognized by the VS recorder:
Try playing a commercially produced CD (not a CD burned from the unit) using the recorder's CD Player feature. If that works but you are unable to burn a CD, the CD drive is most likely functioning as it should but the hard drive may be fragmented (information is given below). If you can’t perform either of these operations, your recorder may need service.- Due to the age of the product and the fact that parts are no longer available for the VS-1680, our service department no longer services the VS-1680.
- You may try contacting a local service center and ask if they can service:
https://www.roland.com/us/support/service_repair/service_centers/
3. HARD DRIVE FRAGMENTATION
The only way to defragment a hard drive is to re-format the drive. This erases all of its data, and returns the drive to its original, non-fragmented state. The following article will guide you through formatting/initializing the hard drive:
Initializing the Hard Drive - Physical Format
CAUTION: Formatting/initializing a hard drive erases ALL of the data/recordings on the drive.