Problem with DVD drive

[Jud McCranie]

I have started having problems with a Sony DVD R/W drive. It has forked for
a few months, but now it won't read or write DVDs. It will read and write
CDs. If I go to My Computer and click on it, it says "pleas insert disc
into drive E", even if there is a DVD in there. Software won't read or
write DVDs, but they will CDs. I removed the drive in the hardware manager,
restarted the computer, and it detected the new hardware and installed it,
but it didn't fix the problem. Is this some sort of problem in Windows or a
hardware problem? I'm using Windows XP home, SP2, automatic updates on.

Thank you.

 

[Jim]

I have started having problems with a Sony DVD R/W drive. It has forked for
a few months, but now it won't read or write DVDs. It will read and write
CDs. If I go to My Computer and click on it, it says "pleas insert disc
into drive E", even if there is a DVD in there. Software won't read or
write DVDs, but they will CDs. I removed the drive in the hardware manager,
restarted the computer, and it detected the new hardware and installed it,
but it didn't fix the problem. Is this some sort of problem in Windows or a
hardware problem? I'm using Windows XP home, SP2, automatic updates on.

Hardware. I had the same trouble with an NEC drive which cleared once I
changed the drive.
Jim

 

[Guest]

what it sounds like to me is that it is a drivers problem, have you tried
going to Sony's web site to find the drivers or firmware upgrades, that
should help.

 

[Jud McCranie]

what it sounds like to me is that it is a drivers problem, have you tried

going to Sony's web site to find the drivers or firmware upgrades, that
should help.

No I haven't done that. But don't updated drivers get included in the
automatic Windows update?

 

[Rock]

No I haven't done that. But don't updated drivers get included in the
automatic Windows update?

Yes some do which is a good reason not to use AU. They cause more many
more problems than they fix. Do a manual scan at the WU site and select
the ones you want. For driver updates go to the device manufacture's
website.

 

[Jud McCranie]

what it sounds like to me is that it is a drivers problem, have you tried

going to Sony's web site to find the drivers or firmware upgrades, that
should help.

I got the latest firmware update from Sony, still have the same problem.
While there I saw a program called DriveCheck to test drives. It wouldn't
get past the first thing, a media check, and I tried a couple of blank DVDs
from 2 makers. If that program won't run, I suspect a hardware problem.
I've emailed Sony about it. So for now I'm waiting on their reply.

 

[Lil' Dave]

3 different ways to read DVD media. One is standard ISO format, where it
reads files and the hierarchy. Another is UDF format. Another is DVD movie
hierarchy and decoding, and plays the movie, which needs the first noted
method of reading as well.
XP or any other windows OS cannot natively implement DVD media writing. All
of the above require non-MS software, and in conclusion, your problem is
related to such software. Of which, you failed to mention.

 

[Jud McCranie]

XP or any other windows OS cannot natively implement DVD media writing.

All of the above require non-MS software, and in conclusion, your problem
is related to such software. Of which, you failed to mention.

I did try different things there. At first I was trying to make a backup.
It said that it couldn't write to that media. Then I tried blank DVD and
tried to drag files to the drive, it wouldn't work. Then I tried putting in
a pre-recorded DVD, which will normally start playing with Media Player. It
didn't start. Then I went to My Computer, whuch would normally show the
name of the DVD that was in there, but it showed nothing. Also, clicking
on it wouldn't do anything, except say to insert a disc (which was already
in the drive).

 

[Guest]

which 3rp party dvd burning software are you using. if you dont have any try
Nero Burning Rom. they have the ability to burn dvds.

 

[Jud McCranie]

I've emailed Sony about it. So for now I'm waiting on their reply.

Well, I still haven't heard from Sony, so I assumed that it is a hardware
problem and bought a new DVD drive. I think the Sony drive is still under
warranty, but I needed to do a 27GB backup yesterday, so I couldn't wait for
them to send a replacement. (I couldn't even get tech support from them.)

 

[Rock]

Well, I still haven't heard from Sony, so I assumed that it is a hardware
problem and bought a new DVD drive. I think the Sony drive is still under
warranty, but I needed to do a 27GB backup yesterday, so I couldn't wait for
them to send a replacement. (I couldn't even get tech support from them.)

Thanks for posting back.

 

[Lil' Dave]

Backup by MS XP won't natively write to DVD media. Media player is made by
MS... and won't play DVD movies (pre-recorded media). MS XP's windows
explorer does not understand native ISO 9660 format on DVD media, so cannot
display such DVD contents. This was noted on my prior response in so many
words, but you snipped that out on your subsequent response.

You failed to mention any 3rd party software (non-MS) that you have on your
PC for purposes of:
Reading a data DVD media
Playing DVD movies
Reading/writing UDF on DVD media.
This 3rd party software is/was required to any prior functional and operable
usage noted.

A DVD writer is required to write to DVD. A combo cdwriter/DVD ROM cannot
write to DVD media, but can read same. But requires 3rd party software to
read DVD media.

Erik asked the obvious question for clarification.

We eagerly anticipate your thoughtful and enlightening response.

 

[Jud McCranie]

Backup by MS XP won't natively write to DVD media. Media player is made
by MS... and won't play DVD movies (pre-recorded media). MS XP's windows
explorer does not understand native ISO 9660 format on DVD media, so
cannot display such DVD contents. This was noted on my prior response in
so many words, but you snipped that out on your subsequent response.

OK, all of these things used to work. Windows Media Player plays my
pre-recorded DVDs. I use BackupMyPc for backups. Both of those suddenly
quit working, as well as dragging and droping to the drive, or simply
exploring the drive, and DriveTest wouldn't even work. And in MyComputer it
wouldn't even show a disk in there, when there was one, and couldn't install
from a DVD. All of these things quit working, probably everything else too.
After I replaced the drive, everything I've tried works again.

 

[Lil' Dave]

See below...

OK, all of these things used to work. Windows Media Player plays my
pre-recorded DVDs. I use BackupMyPc for backups. Both of those suddenly
quit working, as well as dragging and droping to the drive, or simply
exploring the drive, and DriveTest wouldn't even work. And in MyComputer
it wouldn't even show a disk in there, when there was one, and couldn't
install from a DVD. All of these things quit working, probably everything
else too. After I replaced the drive, everything I've tried works again.

Glad you got it working again by replacing the DVD writer. Hardware
problem... Would be interested in the age of the defective unit, and if it
was within warranty.

 

[Jud McCranie]

Glad you got it working again by replacing the DVD writer. Hardware
problem... Would be interested in the age of the defective unit, and if
it was within warranty.

It was a Sony DRU 530A and was made 2/04. I think I've had it less than a
year (so within the warranty period), but I'm not positive. I emailed Sony
tech support about it, and haven't heard back. I got it pretty cheap when
the dual layer ones were coming out. The new one is faster and does DL.
Even if the Sony is under warranty, I couldn't wait because I needed it
immediately. If I do get it replaced under warranty, I can use it in
another computer.