Take a look at:
http://www.necd.de/software/1143_Firmware_ND-1300_106_DOS.ZIP

this is the new official firmware for nd-1300a:
Firmwareupdate 1.06 DOS Installer (Revision 01-08-03)
[http://www.necd.de/home.php?lang=ENG]

[F/W revision Brands]
1.06
-Princo DVD-R 4x
-MPO DVD+R 2.4x

__________________________________________________________________
Even now the firmware 1.06 accepts Princo 4x DVD-R and MPO 2.4x for writing,
our engineers have reported that the disc quality is awful (especially at outer area of the media)
and write error could be occured.
>We still not recommend to use Princo 4x. (also wont be added to recommend media list!)
>Customers should try slower speed(i.e. 2x) for better result.
__________________________________________________________________
Pls. note followning:

-This update will only work with original NEC ND-1300A retail & bulk devices, not with OEM
versions from Futjitsu Siemens, MEDION, DELL, Gateway etc.(you can destroy device!)
Same concerns external USB2.0 / Firewire variants! Pls. contact in this case your dealer,
distribution or manufacturer of PC package.

-use firmwareupdate only for ND-1300A (retail & bulk) devices with FW ver. 1.05!

-Do not turn off power during the updating process.

-Warranty will be lost during false updating procedure.

******************************************************************************************
INSTALLATION
-you need two empty 3 1/2 disks for update procedure.

-create a DOS boot disk,
>Win9x/ ME
go to Menu "Start" > "Settings" > "System" > "Software", change to option "create start disk",
follow instructions.

>Windows 2000
sorry, creating DOS start disk is not possible any more, alternate switch to Win9x/ME or XP
for creating this disk. (also alternate you can visit [without guarantee] www.bootdisk.info)

>Windows XP
doubleclick on working-place or windows-explorer icon, choose 3 1/2-Disk (A:), then rightclick
and choose "format", mark last square "create MS-DOS Startdisk", then click "start".

-remove formated disk and label it as boot-disk

-insert second disk and extract* all files from "Firmware_ND-1300_106_DOS.ZIP" to it.
remove it and label it as f.e.Update1.06.

-insert bootdisk and reboot PC for DOS mode, if PC doesnt boot into DOS or dont recognize
disk, check your bootsettings in PC BIOS (also refer to your mainboard manual)

-remove bootdisk and insert Update1.06 disk and type "FWLD_106", press "enter" key to
start update. It will appear following sequence:

Transferring...
Flashing...

completed.
Transferring...
Flashing...

Completed.

Firmware is changed correctly.
=========================================
If there is a floppy disk in drive A:, please remove it now.
And then turn off your computer.
=========================================

-after removing disk an rebooting PC, your device will now recognized with firmware 1.06.
You will be able to check it with Nero info tool
http://www.nero.com/de/content/c1023694368810.html#2
******************************************************************************************

*You need WinZip for extracting (http://www.winzip.com)

Take a look at:
http://www.necd.de/software/1143_Firmware_ND-1300_106_DOS.ZIP

this is the new official firmware for nd-1300a:
Firmwareupdate 1.06 DOS Installer (Revision 01-08-03)
[http://www.necd.de/home.php?lang=ENG]

[F/W revision Brands]
1.06
-Princo DVD-R 4x
-MPO DVD+R 2.4x

__________________________________________________________________
Even now the firmware 1.06 accepts Princo 4x DVD-R and MPO 2.4x for writing,
our engineers have reported that the disc quality is awful (especially at outer area of the media)
and write error could be occured.
>We still not recommend to use Princo 4x. (also wont be added to recommend media list!)
>Customers should try slower speed(i.e. 2x) for better result.
__________________________________________________________________
Pls. note followning:

-This update will only work with original NEC ND-1300A retail & bulk devices, not with OEM
versions from Futjitsu Siemens, MEDION, DELL, Gateway etc.(you can destroy device!)
Same concerns external USB2.0 / Firewire variants! Pls. contact in this case your dealer,
distribution or manufacturer of PC package.

-use firmwareupdate only for ND-1300A (retail & bulk) devices with FW ver. 1.05!

-Do not turn off power during the updating process.

-Warranty will be lost during false updating procedure.

******************************************************************************************
INSTALLATION
-you need two empty 3 1/2 disks for update procedure.

-create a DOS boot disk,
>Win9x/ ME
go to Menu "Start" > "Settings" > "System" > "Software", change to option "create start disk",
follow instructions.

>Windows 2000
sorry, creating DOS start disk is not possible any more, alternate switch to Win9x/ME or XP
for creating this disk. (also alternate you can visit [without guarantee] www.bootdisk.info)

>Windows XP
doubleclick on working-place or windows-explorer icon, choose 3 1/2-Disk (A:), then rightclick
and choose "format", mark last square "create MS-DOS Startdisk", then click "start".

-remove formated disk and label it as boot-disk

-insert second disk and extract* all files from "Firmware_ND-1300_106_DOS.ZIP" to it.
remove it and label it as f.e.Update1.06.

-insert bootdisk and reboot PC for DOS mode, if PC doesnt boot into DOS or dont recognize
disk, check your bootsettings in PC BIOS (also refer to your mainboard manual)

-remove bootdisk and insert Update1.06 disk and type "FWLD_106", press "enter" key to
start update. It will appear following sequence:

Transferring...
Flashing...

completed.
Transferring...
Flashing...

Completed.

Firmware is changed correctly.
=========================================
If there is a floppy disk in drive A:, please remove it now.
And then turn off your computer.
=========================================

-after removing disk an rebooting PC, your device will now recognized with firmware 1.06.
You will be able to check it with Nero info tool
http://www.nero.com/de/content/c1023694368810.html#2
******************************************************************************************

*You need WinZip for extracting (http://www.winzip.com)

The CD/DVD drive is a good one but you will need the firmware update 1.8 that can be found at http://www.necd.de/software/1173_Firmware_ND-1300A_WIN108.zip. Was having tons of problems with a brand of discs that a firmware update sorted out. The web site I bought my drive from (scan) has even put a link to the update by the cd's I bought cos it's really what you need if you want to get error free writing. Don't worry, I don't think anything bad will happen if you upgrade the firmware. Mine is an OEM drive and is fine...