LD7173 1-O2  (Liggy & Dee  NEC AD-7173A firmware) 
http://liggydee.cdfreaks.com

Package contents
Release date 12/10/06
Binflash + LD7173 1-O2 Firmware
Binflash + LD7173 1-O2 RPC1 Firmware
The firmware package can be used with Windows, DOS, Linux or MAC. (see minifaq)
This document

NOTE
Special FLASHING instructions.
Boot your PC into Windows Safe Mode before attempting to flash. Trying to flash when in normal Windows XP mode may result in a checksum error.
 
NOTES
LD7173 1-O2
Based on 1-01bt original firmware with full bitsetting and media speedups.

LD7173 1-O2 RPC1
Based on 1-01bt RPC1 firmware with full bitsetting and media speedups.

The AD-7173A drive is not RIPLOCKED so pressed DVD-VIDEO discs will RIP at 16x SL and 12x DL

A Big thanks to Liggy for making his patcher compatible with the AD-7170 and AD-7173  drives. 

CREDITS
A Big thanks to Liggy for his work on the on the new patching tool and for the knowledge he passed on to me, and his Binflash Flashing Utility (packaged with this firmware)
Herrie and TDB for their many patched firmwares with riplock removed and RPC1.
RPC1.ORG for there dedication to firmware resources.
 
To the beta testers for spending their time and money submitting tests which helped no end to developing this firmware.
Thank you to everyone for submitting tests.

Change log 

1-O2
Added OPTODISC008 -R media at 12x
Improved the write quality of the following media.
YUDEN000T03
RICOH JPNR03
MCC003RG20
TYG03

1-O1
All new firmware

LD Firmware Mini FAQ

Q: Which NEC firmware is this LD firmware based on?
A: This firmware is based on Liggy’s 1-01bt (version string changed to 1-O2)

Q: How do i flash my drive with this firmware?
A: The firmware is now bundled with Liggys Binflash
Boot your PC into Windows Safe Mode before attempting to flash. Trying to flash when in normal Windows XP mode may result in a checksum error.
Unzip then run the package, now click on the FLASH button. The firmware will now be uploaded onto your drive, when completed you will be prompted to restart your PC.
To Flash a drive in DOS, LINUX or MAC. Use a current version of Binflash. Run Binflash with the commands necessary to load the firmware package. Binflash will accept either a .BIN or a .EXE file and flash your drive. 

Q: What are the risks of flashing my drive with this firmware?
A: Great care has been taken to make sure your drive is not damaged in any way by using this firmware. However, you flash your drive with this firmware at your own risk. Neither I, Liggy, or cdfreaks will be held responsible if your drive or media is damaged in any way.

Q: Will flashing my drive with this firmware void my guarantee?
A: Yes, flashing your drive with any unofficial firmware will null your guarantee. If something should go wrong with your drive, you should buy a new one and not RMA the drive.

Q: Do I need special IDE drivers when running this firmware on my drive?
A: Like all optical drives. It has been proven they work best when using Microsoft’s default IDE drivers. This is a must for this firmware.

Q: Why do i not get good results when i burn media on the modified media list at MAX speed?
A: This is largely down to the quality of your media if the speedups don’t give you good results. Set the burn speed lower. This firmware will give good results at the stated stock firmware speed, without having to flash back to a stock firmware.

Q: What about media not on the modified media list?
A: All media both SL and DL not listed in the modified media table use the default NEC STOCK write strategies and speeds. If you don’t get the results you expect with media not in the modified list, this is a limitation of the media or drive, not this firmware.

Q: How do i set SL bitsetting for +R media?
A: Use CD Speed or WinBtype to set booktype to DVD-ROM This setting is remembered by the drive and only needs set once. Make sure no disc is in the drive.

Q: How do i use DL +R bitsetting?
A: Use CD Speed or WinBtype to set booktype to DVD-ROM This setting is remembered by the drive and only needs set once. Make sure no disc is in the drive.

Q: How do i use DVD+RW bitsetting?
A: Use CD Speed or WinBtype to set booktype to DVD-ROM This setting is remembered by the drive and only needs set once. Make sure no disc is in the drive.
Note you can only change booktype on a new unused +RW media. Changing  booktype can not be performed on a used +RW disc.

Q: Does this drive and firmware support PI/PIF Disc Quality Scanning?
A: Yes, this is possible using CD-Speed by Erik Deppe

Q: Does this drive and firmware support the LabelFlash disc labelling system?
A: Yes, but special software is required to use LabelFlash

Submitting test results
Please state the LD firmware version used for the burn, the media type (MID code) and the burn speed.

If possible, burn a disc with NERO CD-DVD Speed (create data disc) and save the burn screenshot by clicking on the disc icon at the top of the window.

Also submit a (data transfer test) using an NEC or Optiarc 16x drive
Disc Quality scans can be submitted with NEC drives using CD-Speed @5X or 8X scan speed, with 1ECC scanning interval

Below is some additional info from the author of CD-Speed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ErikDeppe
I haven't been able to test this myself but it seems that NEC fixed a bug with the scanning interval.
To change the scanning interval with Nero CD-DVD Speed the following registry value can be added: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ahead\Nero Toolkit\CD Speed\CD Quality]
"Scanning Interval"=dword:0000008
).

To compare with other drives following intervals can be used:
8 ECC (to compare with BenQ/Philips/QSI/Pioneer)
1 ECC (to compare with LiteOn/BTC/Plextor)
32 ECC (to compare with AOpen)

The colored backgrounds and quality score are changed accordingly.	

(Liteon drives) using K-Probe @4X scan speed or CD-DVD Speed (disc quality) @4X scan speed.

If scanning with a Benq drive. use CD-DVD Speed (disc Quality) @4X scan speed.

Media Speedups
DVD-R
Ritek G04 8x
SONY04D1 8x
Ritek M02 8x
MXL RG02 8x
FUJIFILM02 8x
Prodisc S03 8x
CMC MAG Ae1 12x
Daxon 016S 18x
Daxon 016 18x
CMC MAG AM3 18x
MBI 01RG40 18x
Prodisc S05 18x
RITEK F1 18x
RITEK M16 18x
Optodisc 008 12x

DVD+R
Yuden 000T02 18x
Ricoh JPNR03 18x
CMC MAG M01 18x
Prodisc R04 18x
MBI PG101R05 18x
Prodisc R05 18x
Daxon AZ3 18x
Ritek P16 18x
MCC003 12x
Prodisc R02 8x
MBIPG101R04 12x
CMC MAG E01 12x
Maxell 002 12x