Okay, I tested both drivers with two and three diodes, and I was not able find any detectable difference. The output was fine at low setting, but would drop again on higher settings. Neither are dead, but they do not go to full current. One of them never did (although maybe it just failed too quickly?) And the other one did, but it didn't fail until after setting the current, only when I hooked it up to the actual diode. Which makes no sense because it handled the test load fine but couldn't do the 4.5 volts? This one still goes up higher with the test load but fails with the diode above around 1.8A as DTR noticed. I tried with about 2.1 amp setting on the LD and it lased for about fifteen seconds before stopping. Then bring it down to 1.8A it has been fine so far.
Crazyspaz, did your driver die completely after 4 diode test?