Sony DRU-500A is giving me a headache!

[tensaihoward]

My Sony DRU-500A can do everything right except for writing DVDs. I've tried it with Nero 6, RecordMax, and during the burning process all I hear from the drive is that it keeps spinning and stopping. Eventually there'll be an error message. I ran drivecheck and here's the log:

02/18/2004 02:16:21 AM] 1 log - 4.4 GB Blank DVD-R
[02/18/2004 02:16:21 AM] 1 log - Testing drive: SONY DVD RW DRU-500A (2.0h)
[02/18/2004 02:16:21 AM] 1 log - Begining Test
[02/18/2004 02:16:21 AM] 1 log - Begining DVD Write
[02/18/2004 02:18:01 AM] *** err - Failed to write data to track
[02/18/2004 02:18:01 AM] *** err - edwWriteData returned the following error: SCSI Sense - Key:2 (Not Ready) ASC:04 ASCQ:08

Anybody has any insights or thoughts? help would be greatly appreciated

[rcguy]

Isn't that a question for Sony's service center? For service center locations the phone number is 1-800-342-5721. Their support number is 1-800-588-3847.

[Kevin abq]

You might have found a brand of blank DVD that's incompatible with your burner. That's common. Burners have a preference for certain brands. I would suggest going to the Sony website and seeing what they list as compatible blanks. They'll probably recommend "genuine Sony brand DVD blanks" :P Then go to a place like Allmediaoutlet or eTech - anywhere that sells blanks, and check their burner compatibility list. Try another brand. As a last resort call Sony support, IMHO.

[dcsos]

re-check Master Slave jumpering on IDE bus to eliminate COMMAND SENSE errors

or if drive is in USB or FIRE WIRE CHAIN, move it to another port, disconnect or un-power other devices sharing the port (at least to troubleshoot initially)

[handyguy]

U need the right media. Try Accus I use hundreds on my Sonys with success.
with nero 5.5+ Dont use 6 it needs lots of patches. You might have way too much software there too.

[jurynel]

I tend to agree that you should take that up with Sony Support. i have a DRU500 and it works with anything I throw at it. I have written more than 300 DVD's with it, and I have lost track how many brands I have used with it - I simply buy the cheapest at that time in the shop! If I get a coaster, I can track it back to some mistake I made myself, and that has not happend in the last 295 DVD's . . .

[ted york]

Do an Author search for Ted York. i had the same problem.

[Rawhead]

I had the same problem with mine when I first got it. the problem turned out to be the cableing in the IDE configuration. What I used when it didin't work:
\
IDE 1
Sony DVD writer Master with slave present
CD writer Slave with Master present

IDE 2
HDD (that had the video files one it) Master with no slave

What I chaged it to is

IDE 1

Sony DVD writer - Master with slave Present
HDD with video files - Slave with Master present

IDE 2 - CD RW drive - master with no slave

Also the other problems I've run into with the sony drives are

1> I sometimes need to physically unplug the drive from the Power supply.

2> saving files on another drive or partition rarely give a good burn on this drive.

3> defrag right before you burn whether windows says to or not.

[JohnnyCNote]

My Sony has been finicky, and is very sensitive to dust. I'm replacing it with a Pioneer 107D. However, I've "backed up" a lot of DVD's with the Sony, so it's not as if it's never worked, it's just touchy....

[ted york]

I got my drive back from Sony and it is now working perfectly. I can burn both -R's and Rr's at 4X. The only exception is Memorex 4X that I can only burn at 2X. The Memorex are CMC junk.

[tensaihoward]

thx all for your help, you guys have been extremely helpful

FYI, I already e-mailed the test results to SONY a week ago, but I still haven't receive any words from them yet. I bought my DVD writer over a year ago, so I guess the warranty expired, was gonna see if there's anything I can do before I take it to them for repair...

my thought is, since it can burn CDs fine, does that mean the laser is working fine, maybe I just have to use other kinds of DVDs. The media that failed was imation 4x DVD-Rs... should I go ahead and get other DVDs to test my drive?? anybody had similar experiences?? thx in advance for the help

[tensaihoward]

Oh and one more thing, when trying to burn with NERO the message I'm getting is "PMA update failure"

[louthewiz]

I have been through many trypes of media with my 500ax and its safe to say that I use princo white tops 4x dvd-r with no trouble at all

[bottle-necked]

I tend to agree that you should take that up with Sony Support. i have a DRU500 and it works with anything I throw at it. I have written more than 300 DVD's with it, and I have lost track how many brands I have used with it - I simply buy the cheapest at that time in the shop! If I get a coaster, I can track it back to some mistake I made myself, and that has not happend in the last 295 DVD's . . .

What version firmware you using jurynel?

[ted york]

tensaihoward

You should have called them at their 800 number. What did your test results indicate. Mine indicated "Failed to Write". Give them a call and they will probably ask you to send them again. They should have been stored on your hard drive.

After they review your test results they will send you an e-mail and you have to call again. If it requires that you send it back they will give you an RMA Number. Good luck.

Ted