My Sony DRU500A finally died.

[Bob W]

So I have had this burner like three months and today it's dead. So much for Sony quality.

Win2000 pro does see the drive I can see it in windows exployer and device manager says it's there and everything is wonderful. Thing is the drive will not read any DVD or CDR and even RecordNow shows the drive but will not identify any disc that's in the drive. Any suggestion from techland hmm?

[MOVIEGEEK]

If you don't have ForceASPI install it and d/l Nero CDSpeed and DVDSpeed and run tests.
www.cdspeed2000.com

[Bob W]

If you don't have ForceASPI install it and d/l Nero CDSpeed and DVDSpeed and run tests.
www.cdspeed2000.com

I already have ForceASPI installed. The drive just won't read and media. You put a CD in and nothing happens plus windows exployer just says "insert CD". So trying to run a test is not going to do a thing since it won't even read any disc DVD or CDR. Maybe I will try flashing the firmware.

[NightWing]

Check to see if its in the hardware list. Some viris love to eat cd rom drivers.

[Bob W]

Check to see if its in the hardware list. Some viris love to eat cd rom drivers.

Thanks and it is listed as working normal in windows device manager.

[Bob W]

Guess I will replace this POS Sony with the Pioneer 105 unless there is another brand that does both DVD-R and DVD+R.

[caish5]

If it's only three months old doesn't it still have a warranty????

[Bob W]

If it's only three months old doesn't it still have a warranty????

It should through Sony however finding where on their site you apply for a RMA to return anything is impossible. Also I have delt with Sony support and never got any reply to any of the several problems I was having with this drive.

[fender69]

put a any media in there and restart the computer. this should boot up the cpu recognizing the inserted media

[NYPlayer]

Did you try reflashing the firmware??? I had trouble with the latest had to go back to previous firmware. The latest firmware would not recognize my Accus.

[musher70]

Wow thats scary...

My pio/cendyne 105 doesnt burn cd's either...
Itll read em most of the time though...

[Bob W]

put a any media in there and restart the computer. this should boot up the cpu recognizing the inserted media

Ok I will try that plus do the firmware flash.

[NYPlayer]

You can find previous versions of firmware here...



http://www.sonydru500a.com/

[spiderman2k1]

I hate to say this I had two DRU500AX and had nothing but problem's there junk get PIONEER I have the AO4 and never had one problem

[NightWing]

Check to see if its in the hardware list. Some viris love to eat cd rom drivers.

Thanks and it is listed as working normal in windows device manager.

Rats! Hum... At the least could try a Windows boot disk with CD drivers and see if you can access the drive but you may be right!

Good luck!
Nightwing

[Bob W]

I give up. I flashed the bios, tried runing the drive on the second IDE, changed it from secondary to master, took it out of DMA to PIO, and finally put it in another computer. It's just dead and to top it off now the flippin tray is hung up and won't close. What a POS, I'm ordering a Pioneer.

[w00tski]

just curious, but have you tried returning the drive to where you purchased it from?

maybe get the drive replced/repaired and if you dont like it anyway, sell it on ebay and use the cash to buy a pioneer if thats what you want.

[Bob W]

just curious, but have you tried returning the drive to where you purchased it from?

maybe get the drive replced/repaired and if you dont like it anyway, sell it on ebay and use the cash to buy a pioneer if thats what you want.

I bought it online so seems to me I would have to go to Sony for a replacement. I don't sell inoperative equipment on ebay or anyplace for that matter. The Pioneer drive seems to be the only alternative to the Sony at this point in time unless you can suggest another drive.

[Ryen]

out of curiosity , how many times have u burned??

cause my a03 , I had it for 3-4 months now and it was used and didn't die on me yet

[Bob W]

out of curiosity , how many times have u burned??

cause my a03 , I had it for 3-4 months now and it was used and didn't die on me yet

About 300 burns and no warning before it died.

[Joe328]

BOB you are on the right track! Go for the A05, I have 6 there work flawlessly. But make sure you be careful upgrading to hack firmware. I killed one. Luckily I bought from a place like Bestbuy that offer no questions asked exchange warranty. They switched it form me. Gotta love em! The warrenty only cost me an extra 20us. What a deal!

Joe328

[Bob W]

Is the A05 the same as the 105?

[ZippyUK]

Have you checked your PSU, as that could affect the drive, along with many other software, drivers and hardware in your system.

There is a drive test program on the sony storage site.

Also in the UK the person who supplied the drive warrants it, unless they have gone out of business - then it would be Sony.

In the US you must call toll free 1-800-588-3847 (as printed on the lid of the box)

[Bob W]

The computer is one month old and everything is normal except the sony. The other two hard drives and the DVD drive operate just fine.

I ran the sony drive test and of course it couldn't run any test because it can't read any media in the drive. It did see the drive.

[ZippyUK]

Don't foget new computers go wrong too, also what PSU does it have??

Two hard drives and two optical drivers use a lot of power.

Try the drive in another PC would be a test, otherwise call Sony support if in the US.

Neil

[Bob W]

Don't foget new computers go wrong too, also what PSU does it have??

Two hard drives and two optical drivers use a lot of power.

Try the drive in another PC would be a test, otherwise call Sony support if in the US.

Neil

650 watt Antec TruePower supply brand new. Also I tried just running one hard drive and the Sony which is still dead. No matter now since the tray is stuck open and won't close.

[Bob W]

I don't believe it. I was looking at the drive to see if I could get the flippin tray door to close and using a good light I found a one inch dia nylon or plastic washer lodged in the drive gears. Using my trusty set of dental probes I was able to extract the washer so now I'm going to fire up the drive and see if that was what caused the drive to fail. So much for Sony quality control.

[NightWing]

Good luck! Hope it works!

[Bob W]

Nope still DOA so I guess that loose part took out the laser or it's alignment. If I can't get Sony to replace the drive I may just take it apart and fix it myself.

[energy80s]

Send it back to whoever you bought it from online. They will decide whether to replace or repair it under the standard 12 month guarantee. This has nothing to do with Sony. This is one of the reasons why I don't like buying anything expensive online ... I always like someone to go back to and throw it at if it doesn't work!!