topic Re: DVD+/-RW Problem in PCs & Accessories

DVD+/-RW Problem

Blencogo — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 14:16:10 GMT

As a "newbie's" first post please excuse me if this is not in the right forum and format.

There seems to be a significant number of problems with DVD drives not working correctly over the last few weeks.

I can't believe I am alone with this problem and I suspect there will be a lot of "newbies" looking for help.

My VAIO PGC-K315M is only 5 months old (SP2 already installed on purchase) and suddenly the Pioneer DVR-K14 has stopped recognising any discs at all. It makes a vibrating noise as if it is trying to read the discs, spins up the disc for a couple of seconds and then stops. No warning messages at all and I can't see any files in Explorer.

315M is still under warranty but I don't want to be without it for ages if this is a software problem.

Can anyone help?

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

kee-lo_ — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 15:26:55 GMT

Hi

Your post is fine, and in the right place

Yeah, you're right, becoming very common indeed.
Not sure why it's happening.
Have you installed any software lately?

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

Blencogo — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 19:00:16 GMT

Hi Kee-Lo

Only Windows XP updates, Anti-Virus updates and some VAIO updates (smaller ones - no Broadband yet!). No new software since Photoshop 3 and Omnipage SE some months ago and the drive has only just stopped working.

Should I try a 'System Restore' to backdate my system? (Not sure exactly how to do this) I suppose this would show if the drive is faulty.

Your help is much appreciated - anything to prevent a return trip to Sony!

Blencogo:smileyconfused:

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

rich912 — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 19:14:10 GMT

A Windows System Restore is certainly worth a try.
Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore.
Choose `Restore my computer to an earlier time > click `next¿.
The dates on the calendar available for restore will appear as bold numerals. Select a date prior to the problem and click `next¿. Restore information will be gathered and your computer will restart and roll back to the selected date.
Bear in mind that any programs and updates that have been installed after the selected date will need to be re-installed but you will not loose any personal files (e.g. Word documents etc.) The process is completely reversible if you encounter any problems.
Good luck.

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

kee-lo_ — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 19:23:07 GMT

Rich is right, it's likely to be a Sony update causing this

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

Blencogo — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 21:43:37 GMT

Thanks Kee-Lo, Thanks Rich,

No luck with a System Restore - even as far back as I can go. I'll speak to Vaio-link but it's beginning to look like a repair job!

Another Optical Drive bites the dust.

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

kee-lo_ — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 21:49:01 GMT

Sounds like it

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

gfaelli — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 09:11:35 GMT

Have you tried to update the Bios or even your DVD/RW driver?
It could be your solution (why not??:smileytongue: )

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

HITS-UK — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 10:01:47 GMT

Did you get any response to this?:smileyconfused:

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

Blencogo — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 21:52:27 GMT

Afraid you're talking to a bit of a novice!

There is a BIOS update available on VAIO-Link but there are also warnings which have (so far) kept me from attempting this.

There doesn't seem to be any firmware updates for DVR-K14.

The drivers in Device Manager are the Microsoft ones and these seem to be the latest version: -
cdrom.sys
imapi.sys
redbook.sys
storprop.dll
(Version 5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)

There are also three Roxio 7.1 (DVD) drivers: -
Cdr4_xp.sys
Cdrawl2K.sys
pwd_2K.sys

And one Sonic: -
PxHelp20.sys

Am I missing any? The drive wont recognise any discs CD or DVD.

Thank you all for your patience.:smileychicken:

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

rich912 — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 22:14:00 GMT

As has already been said this is all too common and is puzzling the hell out of many of us!
A Bios update is unlikely to solve your problem and you are wise to heed the warnings.
It looks as though you will have to go down the route of Sony support.
If and when you contact them they will ask you to carry out a system recovery using your restore disks so if you have no other option it is worth trying this now. This will re-format your C drive, so backup any data first.

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

Blencogo — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 22:42:15 GMT

Thanks Rich,

Sounds like a job for the weekend!!! I'll have to sort out what needs saving to D:\ as the optical drive is not working.

Thanks for your help - I'll let you know what happens (if I can get everything working again as I will lose my ISP and not be able to reinstall).

Keith:smileycry:

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

rich912 — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 22:50:33 GMT

Good luck Keith.
Let us know how you get on.

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

cmsd — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 22:48:03 GMT

Please let me know which ASPI driver you have installed currently.

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

Blencogo — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 22:54:28 GMT

Can you please tell me where to find these for WXPHome?

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

cmsd — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 23:08:02 GMT

I would recommend you download the file aspi_ from http://www.download.com/Adaptec-ASPI-Drivers-Windows-98-Me-NT-2000-XP-/3000-2098_4-10219041.html
at first.

Unzip and click on the file "ASPICHK" and let me know what's stating.

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

Blencogo — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 23:24:51 GMT

It is saying that I do not have any of the components installed!!!

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

cmsd — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 23:28:56 GMT

Right, that's the reason why you can't use your DVD drive.

Let's make and continue with the next steps in regard to your problem:

1. download and install the file "aspichk.exe" from
ftp://ftp.adaptec.com/software_pc/aspi/aspichk.exe

Let me know again what the result says, pls - before you start proceeding with point 2.

2. downlaod the file "forceASPI v1.7" from
http://radified.com/ASPI/forceaspi.htm
Unzip this file and read the instruction.

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

Blencogo — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 23:39:09 GMT

The link in 1 "cannot find server".

Thanks for your help by the way!

Re: DVD+/-RW Problem

cmsd — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 23:41:54 GMT

okay no problem.

get the file "forceASPIv1.7zip" and dowload it as said in point 2 previously and unzip

let me know if you have done so, ready for the next step