Okay, so I downloaded the hacked firmware for my Pioneer 105 from this site:

http://gradius.rpc1.org/

I run it, and my drive now had the new firmware. I then restart my computer. Well, the drive still works fine, but there's NO DIFFERENCE IN SPEED! Generic 1X discs still rip at 2X, and I can only burn them at 1X.... not 2X like everybody says. I just downloaded the firmware and installed it. Did I do something wrong?

from what i read you need a certain type of media to be able to burn faster. read this
here

only certian media will let you burn at x2 with the hacked firmware.. it will also allow you to rip movies at faster speed with the a05/105 drive..

for my old 105 drive with the hacked firmware i had great luck with optodisc, emtec, riteks dvd-r burning at x2 with no coasters..