WinDVD BD for Vaio Update Problems

[garpaxto]

HELP PLEASE

Vaio update installed WinDVD BD 8.8.0.154 and it wouldn't play Blu Rays anymore (DVDs would play).

Sony support suggested that I uninstall the software and use Vaio recovery to install the original software but there was an error 505:41.

Reinstalling everything (including the OS) from scratch is not an option. Now I'm left with no DVD/BD software.

I'd like to get the previous version of the WinDVD software back (8.0-B20.185) can anyone help ???

Thanks,

Gary

PS System is running Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit

[natwaute]

Guys (o girls),

I thank you all so much for having posted your problems.

I am a seasoned IT specialist and due to past experience (and full awareness of the fact that many of the software provided with VAIO notebooks can *not* be reinstalled but that Sony support in those case only suggest to go back to manufactury settings from scratch reinstallation - which is totally unacceptable imho for what is meant to be used as ...a computer at the end -), I am very suspicious before proceeding with updates.

1) always wait for some days (I recommend a month) before proceeding

2) always google for user experience before really going for it

When I tried the update, and notice the new "Corel branding" appeared asking me confirmation that I was accepting to "uninstall" the current "Sony WinDVD" setup, I was very much puzzled and ...I am so glad that you all reported the confirmed issues before I proceeded.

I hope Sony will clearly address the points or that at least some users will report under this post if they don't have a problem on their side. ...before I may retry. I will myself report any progress.

Philippe

PS I have a VAIO VGN-FZ31Z. I use Acronis backups as a safety net: it helped me once in the past to avoid to go back to square zero after a corruption due to a problematic Vaio update.

[michaeltilley]

I also have a VGN FW31I and unfortunately did the upgrade two weeks ago and now do not have blu ray.

Got Sony to phone me today and told me to go to updates.Did not work so try again tomorrow.Suprised that Sony does not have remote support to fix the problem.

[garpaxto]

This email arrived today from Sony...

Kindly be advised that your case is still under investigation and I will update you as soon 
as updates are available.

Thanks in advance.

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our 
VAIO-Link Response Centre on one of the following telephone numbers.

Within first year of purchase of your product, please call 0870 240 2408.

More than one year after purchase of your product, please call 0905 0310006 
(£0.35/min plus network charges).

Best regards,

Ahmed Samir

Email

SONY VAIO LINK SUPPORT TEAM

SUPPORT: http://support.vaio.sony.eu/

Message was edited by: garpaxto

Message was edited by: garpaxto

[lu1980]

I´m still waiting for a solution too.

Do u think restoring it to factory condition will bring blu ray back?

[garpaxto · Accepted solution]

I've just had a phone call from Sony support and they have absolutely confirmed there is no fix for this problem except a total system rebuild.

This is not a solution that's viable for me as my Vaio is vital in my search for a job, I just can't afford the down-time for something as trivial as watching movies on my laptop.

For that reason I'm marking this question as answered but I still have a problem. If I can afford it, I'll be buying a full copy of PowerDVD (costing £80) to reinstate the Blu-ray playback function to my Vaio.

I hope everyone else who has this problem gets a more satisfactory resolution to this problem.

[venividiviciioseph]

Then why on earth are you marking this question as answered?

It is not answered at all!!

This thread should be left open until somebody finds an appropriate solution for this nightmare! It is not that difficult to release a patch/update and solve the issue, is it?

Well, I guess that Sony is busier unsuccessfully trying to recover from its PSnetwork hacking and the second, more recent security breach than appropriately helping customers who paid thousands of pounds to get top quality, performance and customer service.

Too bad, Sony. Too bad.

[lu1980]

Garpaxto, I have power DVD and it still doesn´t work. Same way as WinDVD, it reads DVDs but not Blu Rays...

[garpaxto]

Sorry to those of you who, like me, don't like the response I got form Sony but it was made absolutely clear to me in a phone conversation with Sony support that a complete system rebuild is the only solution they can offer. Therefore the question has been answered.

They can not offer me software, originally installed on my system, any other way than a rebuild by using the Vaio recovery software.

For those of you who are relatively new to PCs, in the good old days PCs used to come with all the OS and software installation discs and full instruction manuals.

Is Sony's position on this wrong ? Hell, yes ! But, they're not going to change their mind on this.

All I can suggest, for those of you with outstanding similar problems, is that you contact Sony directly on a case by case basis but we're not going to get anywhere here on this forum.

I won't be buying a Sony PC ever again, nor will I be recommending anyone else to either !

[garpaxto]

Dear lu1980, the version of PowerDVD that works on my laptop is v10. I haven't tried v11 yet. I'm hoping for the best. If you contact Sony I guarantee all they'll tell you to do is a complete system rebuild.

[lu1980]

Well, Garpaxto, I don´t know which version I have, but if 11 works for u, please, come back to tell us. Thx!