topic disc drives not working? in PCs & Accessories

disc drives not working?

Alison — Thu, 14 Oct 2004 22:03:25 GMT

There seems to be a problem with the disc drives on my RS502 - keep getting a prompt to tell me to put a disc in when there is already a disc in the drive for example - when trying burn to DVD from video camera (all sony equip & software) and then tonight when trying to install works 7 from a disc, set up got so far then said insert disc when it had already been running from the disc ? help would be great, if anyone can? also have another problem which is really irritating - an error message about UnPn? again any help would be appreciated! Thanks.

Re: disc drives not working?

kee-lo_ — Fri, 15 Oct 2004 13:42:04 GMT

Hi Alison,

uPnP framework can be fixed by downloading an update from www.vaio-link.com, it's the update for VAIO Media.

As for this disc drive sounds to me like it's faulty - if you still have a warranty I would send it in.

If you don't open it up and check your IDE cables (white ribbon cable) also clean the drive with a DVD cleaner disk which you can get from any electrical store.

HTH

Re: disc drives not working?

Alison — Sat, 16 Oct 2004 14:09:57 GMT

Hi Kee-Lo
Thank you for your reply. I hope the uPnP framework problem is solved now, I knew there was a patch but wasn't sure which one it was on the update list! I am not sure if the disc drives are faulty, I seriously hope not. I only bought this PC in June and feel I took a risk buying from Sony direct, ( rather than somewhere like PC world where you can just take it in and someonelse finds the problem and fixes it all under service etc). I do need to spend a good amount of time getting to know this PC but I am currently studying so time is limited. I can't really afford to be without the PC so don't want to send it in just yet - don't even know how to arrange that at this stage!
I decided to test something out today and would like to know what you think if you have time ... I opened the Windows Media Player and recorded a CD onto the hard drive, so far so good, then tried to copy it to CD-R but the file menu won't even give me this choice. What is that about? I went onto the media player website and followed a troubleshooting tip for 'to verify your CD drive is recognised and set up to burn' = open My Computer, R click on the DVD-RW/CD-RW drive icon and see if there is a 'recording tab', if there is 'select enable CD recording' - so I looked and there isn't a recording tab ??? why isn't my PC allowing me to have this option on the file menu for the media player? this is why I am now not sure if it is a hardware or software fault, or user fault! I have a long long way to go before I would say I am at all proficient but this does strike me as odd? thanks again for taking the time to read & reply to my posts, I remember last time you gave me the link to the nero registry and that worked a treat!
Alison

Re: disc drives not working?

kee-lo_ — Sat, 16 Oct 2004 14:20:53 GMT

Hi,

I feel like that quite often, as I have no job yet, buying a PC is a major purchase, and so when it doesn't go to plan - I don't really want to have to fork out £50+ to have it seen to by the manufacturer. But thankfully Sony do have a collect service, they send DHL with a box to pick up the VAIO and they take it to Alsace in France - and hopefully you get results within 4 to 5 working days.

It does sound very dodgy that the drive won't install Works 7 or even have a recording tab, DVD+/-RW drives usually have this tab, but they have it disabled by factory default.

Do you still have Nero? Or did you give up on it after that registry problem?

You could always try Nero InfoTool (don't worry it won't mess with the drive, it just tells us some more info about it) - it can be downloaded here

Let us know how that goes from there...

Re: disc drives not working?

Alison — Sat, 16 Oct 2004 17:48:57 GMT

Hi

glad to know Sony will do that but really don't want to go down that road just yet.

I feel a bit stupid! [:">] - I think the reason Works wouldn't install from a disc is perhaps because it is already installed, so computer is probably confused as to why I wanted to do that! which you and anyonelse who reads this probably are too - long story!

So, you agree it is odd that I don't have a 'recording tab' - cool, what do I do about it?! I probably need to make more time to do this, it takes hours sometimes trawling through FAQ's lists etc but good when you find a solution! I do like a puzzle but not ones that make me think I have a duff PC!
I did manage to record onto a CD-R this afternoon using the Sony software click & drag so I am hoping it is a problem with windows media player?? I hope. Normally all this would have been sorted months ago when I bought the PC but I I really haven't spent much time doing the normal things due to exams & studies etc. I shouldn't be doing it now really but always do loads of stuff like this before I get on with next bit of coursework! anything but what I should be doing!

No, I didn't install Nero after that last fiasco! I have been offered another disc to install a newer version but am not at all sure if thats a good idea!

Alison

Re: disc drives not working?

kee-lo_ — Sat, 16 Oct 2004 19:17:45 GMT

Yes, it's reasuring when Sony can do this for you, but as you have said, hopefully it won't be required.

Don't feel silly, these things happen. At least that mystery is out...

As for Drag N Drop working, this is one good thing. If you can burn audio CDs and data CDs using this it's better than nothing, personally I am a Nero fan so I wouldn't be too discouraged by using it. Sonic MyDVD is also a very good application for doing all the DVD tasks, like burning DVD data, audio, video from DV etc. Maybe worth a try.

These little interuptions are always good between coursework, though if avoided it's better.

Have fun with your VAIO, hopefully it'll be a great companion to your studies.

Re: disc drives not working?

Alison — Sun, 17 Oct 2004 17:53:16 GMT

Thanks - you're very reassuring. I would really like to know why I haven't got a 'recording' tab!! I have looked at a friend's PC today and I can see what you mean, now I feel like I should have one or find out why I haven't? is it anything to do with the version of XP I have or nothing to do with that at all!! That's the only difference between my PC and my friend's - they have XP Pro & I have XP home ed. I have joined a room on the XP site to try and find out a bit more info, someone suggested I update my driver but that didn't do anything. I am on a quest now to find out some answers so.... any tips/pointers/help or reassurance is much appreciated!

Re: disc drives not working?

kee-lo_ — Sun, 17 Oct 2004 18:02:58 GMT

Thanks - you're very reassuring.

Really - some friends of mine say I would make a great psychiatrist

 I would really like to know why I haven't got a 'recording' tab!! I have looked at a friend's PC today and I can see what you mean, now I feel like I should have one or find out why I haven't? is it anything to do with the version of XP I have or nothing to do with that at all!! That's the only difference between my PC and my friend's - they have XP Pro & I have XP home ed. I have joined a room on the XP site to try and find out a bit more info, someone suggested I update my driver but that didn't do anything. I am on a quest now to find out some answers so.... any tips/pointers/help or reassurance is much appreciated!

No, Windows XP Home and Pro both have that tab, my friend has Home, he has the tab, I have Pro, I have the tab.

I really don't know if you have read this advisory from Microsoft but maybe it can shed some light....

Here's soemthing else I found on the problem, good old google!
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q316529

Good luck Don't forget to backup the registry before you do that last task.

Re: disc drives not working?

Alison — Sun, 17 Oct 2004 20:18:45 GMT

Wow! Looks like you have found the answers, it is quite astounding when you find the info like that and even more so when someone does it for you - a huge THANK YOU! I will be extremely careful! I will set aside some time next weekend I think! Now I can relax knowing there may be a solution.

Still surprised my PC has got this problem - I expect things to be alot smoother when spending a significant wad!

generous with your time and knowledgable - there are many careers that would suit you I expect - in mental health or IT or both combined!

& (you have saved me so much time)

Re: disc drives not working?

kee-lo_ — Sun, 17 Oct 2004 20:25:21 GMT

Well, I really hope my help will work, as I am running out of ideas.

Don't hesitate to ask more questions
As you say, you'd think that spending a lot of money on a PC would ensure better quality, but sadly it's not the way.