DVD/CD Drive Problem

[alan-centralube]

Please help.

I have a Sony VGN-FS195VP with a DVD/CD drive problem.

I have totally reloaded Sony software via recovery disc and DVD/CD drive was fine.

I have tried to reload Windows Office 2003 but DVD/CD drive will not recognise the CD, no error message is displayed. DVD/CD drive just stops after a few minutes.

No other CD can be recognised by the DVD/CD drive, however both the system and application recovery cd's are recognised by the DVD/CD drive.

I have loaded the firmware patch PFS2 and even tried PFS3 but no change with the driver.

The Device Manager route does not show any error or problem with the DVD/CD drive.

What should I do next?

Thank you

Alan

[MattWilson]

Welcome to ClubVAIO

Are you able to burn to a blank CD?

This is a very odd sounding problem as you can only see one cd. Is the laser clean (soft cloth, gently rub it)?

[alan-centralube]

Not able to write a CD.

Sony help desk believe that it is a hardware problem and the laptop must return to their service centre.

I cannot understand why the DVD/CD unit reads the rcovery CD's and not any other CD.

[Blencogo]

If your Vaio booted from the Recovery Disc, I think this proves it is NOT a hardware problem.

The problem is almost certainly caused by a Firmware/Software issue as the drive works OK with bootable media which by-passes the Vaio's software. You can look for a firmware update (this is a badged Lite-On drive). Some success has been seen by finding non-Sony firmware.

You have the infamous Sony DW-D56A optical drive - I think you must have the last one standing!!! Sony has had to replace hundreds of these drives which have been made useless by crippling DRM technology to stop the copying of protected media. Sony succeeded with the DRM goal but at the cost of making this drive virtually useless. Have you read this old thread about the DW-D56A drive which has had well over 7,000 views? Sony support must be well aware of the problems with this particular drive.

http://club.vaio.sony.co.uk/clubvaio/GB/en/forum/viewthread?thread=31787

I think it will need replacement.