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tipsy

I'm having two problems with my notebook.
The first one, my dvd drive isn't burning Dvd's. It works fine when it comes to Cd's but with Dvd's, it just stops at 2%, with a fixation problem. I've updated the Firmware but it didn't make any difference.
The second problem, my Windows version that came with the notebook has some kind of bug because it keeps stalling the system whenever i connect to the internet. It's not spyware or anything because i've tried everything and it still happens.

tipsy

yep. I've tried everything.

slaurence

What if you try shutting down the explorer.exe process just after you have started the machine. If the explorer shell does not restart immediately after, press ctrl+alt+delete, then start a new explorer.exe process. Then try to connect to the internet etc and see what happens. It will be interesting to see if the problem re-occurs as I have come across this problem before, not on my vaio but other machines and it turned out to be a process that was running, something like MSN version 4.5 after I had updated to version 7!

Silu

Tipsy

Going back to your optical drive issue, I too have thgis problem. I have sent the notebook back to Sony and they returned (supposedly having replaced the drive) but the exact same problem remains. I have reloaded the firmware upgrade on their advice but still no joy.

They now want me to send the thing back for further repairs which I am not at all happy to do. Instaead I am trying to fight them either to replace the notebook (which apart from this problem is good) or give me my money back.

The additional problem I have is that I purchased the VGN-A497XP through a reseller (PC Business World) who say it would be difficult to get my money back as it is a Sony thing. But talking to Sony they say it is PCBW!!! So at the moment I stuck between a rock and a hard place.

That said I would urge you and anyone else who is suffering this to make as much noise as possible to Sony in an attempt to make them own up and do something properly about this!

So if anyone out there knows of the Sony MD's email or postal address please could they share it!

Sorry to go on but this really makes my blood boil - once again the consumer is left to suck bricks!

tipsy

to slaurence:

I think we're going somewhere now. I've done what you said and it worked fine. I've tested again and every time it solved the problem. But now, the thing is, how can i find out which process is responsible for this issue? Am i condemned to close explorer and run it again every time i start the laptop? hope not. if you could help, i would be very grateful.

to silu:

i know. we are the "weakest link", except for the moment they try to sell us anything. i know i'm gonna be in trouble with the guys at vaio-link because they don't admit that this particular DVD drive is not very good, and has several issues. Hope that Sony behaves well or else, they'll "never sell" another vaio in my country - they don't sell that many already.

rich912

tipsy,

This article will help you to troubleshoot the problem.

Go n-éirí an bóthar leat

Silu

to slaurence:

I think we're going somewhere now. I've done what you said and it worked fine. I've tested again and every time it solved the problem. But now, the thing is, how can i find out which process is responsible for this issue? Am i condemned to close explorer and run it again every time i start the laptop? hope not. if you could help, i would be very grateful.

to silu:

i know. we are the "weakest link", except for the moment they try to sell us anything. i know i'm gonna be in trouble with the guys at vaio-link because they don't admit that this particular DVD drive is not very good, and has several issues. Hope that Sony behaves well or else, they'll "never sell" another vaio in my country - they don't sell that many already.

Tipsy

Just to close this loop from my perspective, after many telephone calls to Sony and PCBW they have combined to agree on replacing my notebook! Although very reluctant to do this for me the thought that I was requesting a full return of my money and to also take this up with the media, seemed to tip the balance. Still feel I shouldn't have had to go through this, but at least it seems to have been worth it (that is if the replacement works)!

Hope you solve all your problems!

tipsy

News about the internet connection problems:

I've made a clean recovery of the system, using the windows that came with the laptop. It works fine...until i start downloading updates from microsoft . One of the updates is responsible for the problem. How can i identifie it? Should i not update my windows? What can i do?

tipsy

So i've installed a new windows version - no the one that came with the laptop. Works fine. I've installed the Vaio drivers/utilities and it's running perfectly. What i need to know now is how can i erase the vaio recovery partition and use that 7gb in windows? And by the way, i'm gonna ask Sony for a new windows software...as anybody ever had the same situation?