topic Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS> in PCs & Accessories

IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

Blencogo — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 20:15:35 GMT

Several members seem to have problems with their CD/DVD drives at the moment. As far as I know, there is no magic solution but you could try some or all of the following: -

1. See if there is an updated driver or updated firmware for your drive at Vaio-Link. Some Sony drives are re-badged from other manufacturers and you may have to search for updated downloads. For example, if you have a Sony DW-D56A drive, you can get a firmware download from HERE (Use PFS2). Many other drives are also supported on this site.

2. Use System Restore to return your Vaio to the configuration when it was last working normally.
Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore - choose a restore date before you had the problem.

3. Look in Device Manager to see if there are any errors against your DVD/CD-ROM drive.
Start -> Right-Click My Computer -> Properties -> Hardware -> Device Manager - expand DVD/CD-ROM Drives and check the status. If there is an Error Code or a yellow triangle with a ! or ? come back here with the number and we may be able to help.

4. If there is no error and the drive is reported as working normally, try Uninstalling the drive by right-clicking on it in Device Manager and choosing Uninstall. Re-booting your Vaio will reinstall the drivers.

5. Try some different software to read/write your discs and see if that works. Also try a different brand of discs - Sony, TDK and Verbatim seem favourites.

6. Try a liquid lens cleaner on the lens and polish with a microfibre cloth ? this can sometimes help.

7. If your drive works with either CDs or DVDs only make sure the ribbon cable is not preventing the reader head from moving freely - check that the laser head in the drive can move freely for the whole range of its travel. The disc information is held on the outside tracks for DVDs and the inner tracks for CDs.

8. Last resort is to perform a full C:\ Drive System Recovery from your Recovery Discs. Make sure you back up all your Data as the contents of C:\ will be lost and your Vaio returned to the factory configuration.

If none of these work, you may have a hardware problem and you need to contact Vaio-Link. There is no point contacting them until you have carried out a Drive C:\ Recovery as this is the first thing they will ask you to do.

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

Prokurator — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:22:24 GMT

Please, show me the site with firmware for my Pioneer DVR-K16M.
I can't find it in your link site.

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

mops31 — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 13:11:23 GMT

I have just purchased a Vaio VGN-FE28B. After about a week the DVD drive no longer responds and is not visible on My Computer.
Under Device Manager there is a Device Status: Windows successfully loaded the device driver for this hardware but cannot find the hardware device. (Code 41)
I have tried restoring back to the date I purchased the machine but the restore fails.
The DVD is a DW-G520A.
I cannot use the restore DVDs that I created as the DVD is not responding.
Have searched on the support site for the code and driver updates but to no avail.
Any suggestions???

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

rich912 — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 13:29:59 GMT

Hi mops31 and welcome to the form.

This thread may be of help to you. Make sure that you make a backup of your registry before making any changes.

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

sulina — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 21:37:13 GMT

I also though my pioneer was coming to an end, but after some testing with different medias I realised that....

My Pioneer DVR-K16M writes 1X speed when I use 16x speed DVD-R otherwise with 8X speed it works normally.

This should be fixed with an upgrade since I previously had these problems with other drives manufactured before certain media is in the market.

I called SONY no update and PIONEER is not liable since the drive although being a pioneer is not sold by them but by sony. So Sony is to fix this problem, which apperantly THEY STILL DIDN'T.

VGN FE11H

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

Fulhamnonny — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 10:01:25 GMT

Approximately a month ago I purchased a Vaio - VGN N11S, but like a couple of other responses so far on this thread, after a couple of weeks I've stared to have problems with the CD/DVD R drive. As I'm not writing this from my notebook I'm afraid I can't mention what the drive is.

I backed up my laptop before I started having the problems and I've even downloaded the updates. After logging a call to the support team, I'm still finding I'm having problems.

Is this a problem through-out Sony?

As a consumer in the UK I'm entitled to a refund or new replacement of my notebook surely.

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

ngalmiche — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 21:56:28 GMT

I have a 3 month old VGN-TX3XP/B and I can't read DVD's anymore from AV mode and playing DVD's through Window is getting to be a problem too. Would be glad to hear if owner of same model have experienced the same issues, I am sending the unit for repair.

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

skinkendk — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 15:20:44 GMT

Hello,

I'm having huge problems with Nero 7 and my FE11S. It was working fine until recently. It has now started to blurp out the following error, when I try to burn:

Unable to recover TOC

My drive is a MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-841S, with DMA = On.

EDIT: I have no reading problems on the drive, everything is fine in that department.

I only use Verbatim DVD-R 16X Media. I have tried re-installing Nero, turning the IMAPI CD-Burning service on/off and finally updating the firmware of my burner, still no luck.

Got any ideas? It is kinda getting on my nerves, since I have a lot of data I need to back-up.

Thank you in advance.

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

euripyd — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 18:41:50 GMT

since several months I have a problem with my CD-DVD driver, it can't any more to record a DVD, when I enter an empty it tries to find it and on the end it ejects it afer 2 minutes.
Also CD recording has got some strange very high sound. Some CDs were nonusable.
Also, DVDs created earlier are very hard to read.

It is SONY DVD RW DW-D56A.
I use VGN-FS195VP.

I tried to reainstall the system.
I updated the driver from Vaios homepage.
I have tried several types of DVDs.

Any idea?

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

Blencogo — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 20:42:16 GMT

Hi skinkendk and welcome to Club Vaio.

I'm having huge problems with Nero 7 and my FE11S. It was working fine until recently. It has now started to blurp out the following error, when I try to burn:

I presume TOC stands for Table of Contents. A failure to read this can be caused by: -

1. The disc being copied is encrypted and copy protected.
2. As you say, DMA not enabled - make sure it is actually ON as the setting is "DMA if available". If not there is a Registry Fix to "Enable DMA" or "Force DMA". I haven't used it but I'll see if I can find any details.
3. Burning faster than the drive can cope with - try 4X or 2X

I would also try DVD+R discs and see if they work. Problems like this are often media related.

It does sound like the DVD is not being finallised. Two thoughts here. They won't solve the problem but it may identify the cause: -

1. Try putting the disc back in the drive. In Nero, hit the 'Burn' button without selecting anything to burn but making sure the 'Finalise Disc' box is checked.
2. Try finalising the disc in a TV DVD Recorder or another drive.

As I have said before, there is a suspicion that all these DVD drive problems have been caused by recent Updates from Microsoft as they try to make their DRM mechanisms more secure - difficult to prove, but you may wish to do a System Restore to a time before the problem started.

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

Blencogo — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 20:52:24 GMT

Hi euripyd.

The Sony DW-D56A has always been a useless drive. I'm sure you have read this MONSTER THREAD.

This drive usually has to be replaced but look at the last few posts in the thread - MX Motion has had success in fixing his drive by downloading a firmware update from the drive's original manufacturers (Lite-On).

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

skinkendk — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 21:38:08 GMT

Thank you for the prompt feedback.

The DVD+R could maybe work, but since it has worked fine with quite a few DVD-R, it would be a bit strange for it to change it's mind, all of the sudden. I will, however, try to burn something as old school as a cd-rom tomorrow and see if that works.

The MS/DRM angle actually makes a lot of sense to me (remembering that our Windows' might be getting prepared for the Zune software, which I understand is to be fairly DRM-heavy). I might just need to investigate what I have in fact downloaded and installed from MS lately, to figure out if anything has lurked past my critical eye. The stuff I want to burn is not DRM protected, as it is my own produce, but DRM might still be the issue on this one.

I shall report back when I have tried to burn a cd, my good sir.

Thank you

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

euripyd — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 16:58:15 GMT

Thank you Blencogo
I will try it, and come back if I manage to fix it...
I am so sad, I believed that it wouldn't happen to SONY....

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

Blencogo — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 17:57:42 GMT

Goos Luck euripyd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

MXMotion — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 20:46:15 GMT

Hi All,

I am totally convinced this whole farce is down to non compatible firmware updates..

If anybody needs ANY help with this I am available to help.

BTW if you do decide to try a 3rd party firmware update your going to loose your warrenty so tread carefully

Peace out
Motion

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

euripyd — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 21:37:20 GMT

i had no success....
I have reinstalled the 1st version (from the link that MX Motion has provided at an another topic).
It didn't work.
Than no2.
and again no 1.
Before I had version no 3.
I have noticed that after I have upgraded to FW no 3 my computer goes on very slowly even I downgraded to FW 1 or 2 (I upgraded also BIOS, and Nvidia card - maybe thats why it goes slowly on from "Welcome" screeen).

I have purchased the notebook in May 2005, in Sweden. I have no warranty any more.

Any idea?
MX Motion?

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

MXMotion — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 13:21:09 GMT

Hi,

everytime I mess about with firmware etc for a little while after my start up is slow too, something maybe not to be too worried about, I've personally never flashed my BIOS as I felt this was a firmware issue with the drive itself and not the computer at fault so I cant really comment on that

Ok this is what I would personally do..

(1) Restore the PC to "factory spec"

(2) Allow the pc's applications to bed in, such as the Vaio Launcher, Norton AV etc so that no other applications are wanting to complete their install/recovery

(3) Another thing I did was to download a RPC2 removal program LtnRPC which is available for download at most locations, now tread carefully as I would never suggest you loose your warrenty as that is what you will do if you use 3rd party software to mess with your exsisting drive firmware. I have used this completely as a work around in order to get MY laptop working as it should.... and then i re enabled the region settings again shortly afterwards

(4) The install the PFS-1 - not forgetting to disable all other programs as you would if you were using the Sony update.

(5) Try PFS-1, It personally did not work for me but try it all the same... attempt a burn or something.

(6) Try PFS-2, this is where my drive roared back into operational condition... a great day indeed.

Get back to me if you need

Motion

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

MXMotion — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 13:46:46 GMT

Ok firstly I would take the laptop back to factory spec by using the recovery discs in the fashion explained already.

then I would make sure that ALL the applications that come with the laptop pre-installed are running ok, (Vaio Launcher etc), and have the full recovery process has been completed. Restart the laptop after this has been done.

Another thing I did was to download a RPC2 removal program LtnRPC which is available for download at most locations, now tread carefully as I would never suggest you loose your warrenty as that is what you will do if you use 3rd party software to mess with your exsisting drive firmware. I have used this completely as a work around in order to get MY laptop working as it should.... and then i re enabled the region settings again shortly afterwards

Now I would begin the process of using the 3rd party firmware updates... Im assuming that you have unpacked them as they come as a rar file.

Start with PFS-1, this totally failed for me, but maybe try a burn at this stage anyway.

Then try PFS-2, at this stage my optical drive burnt like a forrest fire, like a whippet I tells you

Also try as mentioned to clean the drive with an appropiate cleaner disc..

Hope this helps
Motion

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

MXMotion — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 12:48:23 GMT

Hi,

Ok this is what I would do personally IF what Blencogo has suggested and it has not worked

Also before I mention what I would do

again this will void a warrenty and you do so at your own risk

(1)Download and unpack from the .rar file the three stock.exe's for the drive. The reason for unpacking them now is that when your pc is returned to factory configuration you cannot unpack the rar.

http://codeguys.rpc1.org/firmwares/dvdrw_slimtype/stock/Sony.D56A.PFS1-PFS2-PFS3.stock.rar

Also find and download a RPC2 removal program LtnRPC. Unpack if neccesary.

And then store the files on a usb memory or external HDD or disc. If you are burning to disc you might want to fill it up with any pictures or other media you want to keep.

(2) Perform a full C:\ Drive System Recovery using your Recovery Discs. Make sure you back up all your Data as the contents of C:\ will be lost.

(3) Allow all the pre installed software that comes with the laptop to iinstall itself correctly, Vaio Launcher, Norton IS etc so that nothing else wants to install itself.

(4) Restart the PC.

(5) Place the saved files from section (1) on to your desktop. At this point you might want to try the RPC removal tool LtnRPC. Sometimes it says that it has not done anything but upon checking the properties of the optical drive its deffo removed the RPC-2. Try and burn at this point.. sometimes I had luck with this alone. If still not working properly proceed :

(6) Re-enable the region settings for the drive using the Ltn-RPC. Now once upon a time there was an "issue" with Sony placing a type of encryption on their discs XCP i think it was called.

Ages ago I came across this issue with my laptop, XCP had reduced my drive to a similar state so I decided try this as well after I tried the LtnRPC program, I was desparate at this moment.. i really wanted to fix my laptop:

http://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/updates.html

Completely uninstall the XCP software and associated content protection files.

(7) Disable all the things you are meant to do as if you were following the instructions for a Sony Updates firmware installation. Disable the Anti-V, screensaver, hibernation etc.

(8) Flash the PFS-1 on to the drive and restart.

(9) Attempt a burn or something, this failed for me.

(10) Flash the PFS-2 on to the drive and attempt a burn.

Thats all I can suggest. If not then It looks like you may have to consider a replacement drive. may the force be with you.

Motion

Re: IF YOU HAVE DVD/CD DRIVE PROBLEMS - READ THIS>

gliss — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 16:59:09 GMT

Hi,

I have a VGN FE 21M and my cd writer SONY DVD RW DW G520A burns DVDs only with 0,76 speed and CDs with 4-5. It also can be seen that in Nero the drive's buffer always fluctuates between 5 and 100%.

I have tried to reinstall it and to flash it, but the prog says that it cant find the device, but sony says thats normal if the current firmware is installed.

What can I do? Burning a four gig DVD takes !!!! two !!!!! hours.

I hope you can help me.

Thanks!!