Is my Sony DRU-510AK dead?

[h00ter]

Hi
I've got Sony DRU-510AK rewritable drive installed on my machine for the past year and yesterday it started to play dead or at least dying…
All started when I wanted to make some room on my hard drive so I'd made a DVD-ISO with bunch of files I wanted to back up (movie files, pictures, txt and applications) checked the result and all was good, since I had some more files I didn’t need on hard drive I wanted to make another back up disc..
I'm using Nero v. 6.3.0.0 retail version so I loaded up the Nero Burning ROM.exe
Added files and hit burn, it seems like it started to burn (the little control lamp on drive panel was red so I guess it did something and it sounded like it's started to burn)
After 5 minutes when I noticed Nero is stuck on 1% I suspected something is wrong, and when it remained on that 1% for the next 15 min I knew it for sure...
Now, Nero didn’t timeout and didn’t cancel burn so I had to try and close it manually, I couldn’t do so I had to restart computer in order to make it stop.
When I did the DVD drive tray finally went out and I could see thin burning marks on the media. I've hoped that it's just a one time failure so I tried to burn again, this time Nero started to burn, again stopped in 1% but this time Nero canceled burn with a "writing error message" that I didn’t understand...
I tried to burn different kind of discs (audio, cd iso) as well and on different kinds of media but the result was the same, I added Nero log for u to view and maybe tell me is my drive dying or is it Nero? What can I do to fix it?
Thanks a lot

Windows XP 5.1
IA32
WinAspi: -
ahead WinASPI: File 'C:\Program Files\Ahead\Nero\Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=2.0.1.59, size=160016 bytes, created 11/11/2003 15:49:52
Nero version: 6.3.0.0
Recorder: <SONY DVD RW DRU-510A> Version: 1.0d - HA 1 TA 0 - 6.3.0.0
Adapter driver: <atapi> HA 1
Drive buffer : 8192kB
Bus Type : default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ATAPI
CD-ROM: <HITACHI DVD-ROM GD-2500 >Version: A011 - HA 1 TA 1 - 6.3.0.0
Adapter driver: <atapi> HA 1

=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral : QUANTUM FIREBALLP AS20.5 atapi Port 0 ID 0 DMA: On
DiskPeripheral : WDC WD1200JB-00EVA0 atapi Port 0 ID 1 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : SONY DVD RW DRU-510A atapi Port 1 ID 0 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : HITACHI DVD-ROM GD-2500 atapi Port 1 ID 1 DMA: On

=== CDRom-Device-Map ===
SONY DVD RW DRU-510A E: CDRom0
HITACHI DVD-ROM GD-2500 F: CDRom1
=======================

AutoRun : 1
Excluded drive IDs:
CmdQueuing : 1
CmdNotification: 2
WriteBufferSize: 74448896 (0) Byte
ShowDrvBufStat : 0
EraseSpeed : 0
BUFE : 0
Physical memory : 511MB (523568kB)
Free physical memory: 211MB (216544kB)
Memory in use : 58 %
Uncached PFiles: 0x0
Use Static Write Speed Table: 0
Use Inquiry : 1
Global Bus Type: default (0)
Check supported media : Disabled (0)

11.5.2005
ISO compilation
23:37:27 #1 Text 0 File Isodoc.cpp, Line 6029
Iso document burn settings
------------------------------------------
Determine maximum speed : FALSE
Simulate : FALSE
Write : TRUE
Finalize CD : TRUE
Multisession : FALSE
Burning mode : DAO
Mode : 1
ISO Level : 1 (Max. of 11 = 8 + 3 char)
Character set : ISO 9660
Joliet : TRUE
Allow pathdepth more than 8 directories : FALSE
Allow more than 255 characters in path : FALSE
Write ISO9660 ;1 file extensions : TRUE

23:37:27 #2 Text 0 File Reader.cpp, Line 118
Reader running

23:37:27 #3 Text 0 File Writer.cpp, Line 124
Writer SONY DVD RW DRU-510A running

23:37:27 #4 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 3882
First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)

23:37:28 #5 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3094
Turn on Disc-at-once, using DVD media

23:37:28 #6 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 239
Last possible write address on media: 2298495 (510:46.45)
Last address to be written: 2135695 (474:35.70)

23:37:28 #7 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 244
Write in overburning mode: FALSE

23:37:28 #8 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 2068
Recorder: SONY DVD RW DRU-510A, Media type: DVD-R
Disc Manufacturer: AN31 -
Disc Application Code: 64, Disc Physical Code: 193

23:37:28 #9 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 405
>>> Protocol of DlgWaitCD activities: <<<
=========================================

23:37:28 #10 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 779
Setup items (after recorder preparation)
0: TRM_DATA_MODE1 (CTransferItem)
2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
original disc pos #0 + 2135696 (2135696) = #2135696/474:35.71
relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/required, no patch infos
-> TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 2135696 blocks [SONY DVD RW DRU-510A ]
--------------------------------------------------------------

23:37:29 #11 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 948
Prepare recorder [SONY DVD RW DRU-510A ] for write in CUE-sheet-DAO
DAO infos:
==========
MCN: ""
TOCType: 0x00; Session Closed, disc fixated
Tracks 1 to 1:
1: TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048/0x00, FilePos 0 0 4373905408, ISRC ""
DAO layout:
===========
__Start_|____Track_|_Idx_|_RecDep_|_CtrlAdr_
0 | lead-in | 0 | 0x00 | 0x41
0 | 1 | 0 | 0x00 | 0x41
0 | 1 | 1 | 0x00 | 0x41
2135696 | lead-out | 1 | 0x00 | 0x41

23:37:29 #12 Phase 24 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1800
Caching of files started

23:37:29 #13 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 4061
Cache writing successful.

23:37:29 #14 Phase 25 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1800
Caching of files completed

23:37:29 #15 Phase 36 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1800
Burn process started at 4x (5,520 KB/s)

23:37:30 #16 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2264
Verifying disc position of item 0 (relocatable, disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #0

23:37:30 #17 Text 0 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1658
Set remaining time: 13:15,971 (795971ms) -> OK

23:37:30 #18 Text 0 File DVDR.cpp, Line 1424
Recording mode: Sequential Recording Mode

23:37:30 #19 Text 0 File Mmc.cpp, Line 19397
Set BUFE: Power-Burn -> ON

23:37:30 #20 Text 0 File DVDR.cpp, Line 1539
Start write address at LBA 0
DVD high compatibility mode: Yes

23:37:30 #21 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 7912
---- DVD Structure: Physical Format Information (00h) ----
Layer: 0, Address: 0 (0 h), AGID: 0; Length: 2050
Book Type: DVD-R (2), Part Version: 5
Disc Size: 120 mm, Maximum Rate: <not specified> (F h)
Number of Layers: 1, Track Path: Parallel Track Path (PTP), Layer Type: recordable
Linear Density: 0,267 um/bit, Track Density: 0,74 um/track
Starting Physical Sector Number of Data Area: 30000 h (DVD-ROM, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW)
End Physical Sector Number of Data Area: 0 h
End Sector Number in Layer 0: 0 h
Data in Burst Cutting Area (BCA) does not exist
Media Specific:
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................

23:37:30 #22 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1276
23:37:30.829 - SONY DVD RW DRU-510A\H1 T0 : Queue again later

23:38:40 #23 SCSI -1135 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1430
SCSI Exec, HA 1, TA 0, LUN 0, buffer 0x09B10000
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x03 (KEY_MEDIUM_ERROR)
Sense Code: 0x0C
Sense Qual: 0x08
CDB Data: 0x2A 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x08 0xC0 0x00 0x00 0x20 0x00 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0xF1 0x00 0x03 0xFF 0xFD 0x00 0x00 0x12
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x0C 0x08

23:38:40 #24 CDR -1135 File Writer.cpp, Line 301
Write error

23:38:40 #25 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 229
all writers idle, stopping conversion

23:38:40 #26 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 223
conversion idle, stopping reader

23:38:40 #27 Text 0 File DVDR.cpp, Line 1743
EndDAO: Last written address was 2239

23:38:40 #28 Text 0 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1658
Set remaining time: 0:00,000 (0ms) -> OK

23:38:40 #29 Text 0 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1658
Set remaining time: 0:00,000 (0ms) -> OK

23:38:40 #30 Phase 38 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1800
Burn process failed at 4x (5,520 KB/s)


Existing drivers:
File 'Drivers\PXHELP20.SYS': Ver=2.02.62a, size=20016 bytes, created 20/12/2004 20:37:14 (Prassi/Veritas driver for win 2K)
File 'Drivers\atapi.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), size=95360 bytes, created 04/08/2004 07:59:42 (Adapter driver for rec)

Registry Keys:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\AllocateCDROMs : 0 (Security Option)

[cps68500]

Have you tried different burning software?

What changes were made to the system prior to this test? Different media?

[h00ter]

Reinstalled Nero, now CD-ISO passed simulation and burned fine
DVD-ISO still won't pass any simulation with different files (avi, pictures or txt) and different media types. DVD-ISO with one avi file won't pass simulation at speeds 1 and 2…

No major change to system, got that service pack 2 for a while now, and updated Nero according, didn’t use that crape system restore tool and no major changing system setting prog were installed lately.

Which other good burning software can I use to determine if the problem is coming from my DVD drive or Nero?

[TBoneit]

Try burning your ISO with DVD Decrypter.
I think I had 8X media that fried the laser in my DRU510A the burn failed and after that it didn't write anymore. Did you change media?

Good Luck

[RottenFoxBreath]

yeh either try dvddecrypter,or update the firmware,that one you have is very old,up to 1.1a now.

http://forum.rpc-1.com/dl_firmware.php?download_id=1597

[h00ter]

updated the firmware (thanks RottenFoxBreath) and tried DVD Decrypter
(thanks TBoneit).
DVD-ISO\DVD-ROM still wont work both in Nero or DVD Decrypter
CD-ROM\CD-ISO is working fine
how could it be? i tried two brands of DVD-R media so i dont think its the disc.
how come it burns only CD-ROM and not a DVD-ROM?

here is log file from DVD Decrypter

I 23:58:15 DVD Decrypter Version 3.5.4.0 started!
I 23:58:15 Microsoft Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600 : Service Pack 2)
I 23:58:15 Initialising SPTI...
I 23:58:15 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...
I 23:58:18 Found 1 DVD-ROM and 1 DVD±RW!
I 00:00:03 Operation Started!
I 00:00:03 Source File: D:\My Shared Folder\My.Stuf.iso
I 00:00:03 Source File Sectors: 1,912,462 (MODE1/2048)
I 00:00:03 Source File Size: 3,916,722,176 bytes
I 00:00:03 Source File Application Identifier: UltraISO V6.5 ISO9660/Joliet/El Torito FileSystem Builder (c)2002-2003 EZB Systems, Inc.
I 00:00:03 Destination Device: [1:0:0] SONY DVD RW DRU-510A 1.0d (E (ATA)
I 00:00:04 Destination Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: AN31) (Speeds: 1x, 2x, 4x)
I 00:00:04 Destination Media Sectors: 2,298,496
I 00:00:04 Write Mode: DVD
I 00:00:04 Write Type: SAO
I 00:00:04 Write Speed: 4x
I 00:00:04 Link Size: Auto
I 00:00:04 Test Mode: Yes
I 00:00:04 BURN-Proof: Enabled
I 00:00:04 Filling Buffer...
I 00:00:05 Writing LeadIn...
W 00:02:56 Failed to Write Sectors 2240 - 2271 - No Seek Complete
W 00:02:56 Retrying (1 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (2 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (3 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (4 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (5 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (6 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (7 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (8 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (9 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (10 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (11 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (12 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (13 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (14 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (15 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (16 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (17 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (18 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (19 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:02:56 Retrying (20 of 20)...
W 00:02:56 Retry Failed! - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:11 Failed to Write Sectors 2240 - 2271 - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:11 Retrying (1 of 20)...
W 00:04:11 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:11 Retrying (2 of 20)...
W 00:04:11 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:11 Retrying (3 of 20)...
W 00:04:11 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:11 Retrying (4 of 20)...
W 00:04:11 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:11 Retrying (5 of 20)...
W 00:04:11 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:11 Retrying (6 of 20)...
W 00:04:11 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:11 Retrying (7 of 20)...
W 00:04:11 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:11 Retrying (8 of 20)...
W 00:04:11 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:11 Retrying (9 of 20)...
W 00:04:11 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:11 Retrying (10 of 20)...
W 00:04:11 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:11 Retrying (11 of 20)...
W 00:04:11 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:11 Retrying (12 of 20)...
W 00:04:11 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:11 Retrying (13 of 20)...
W 00:04:12 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:12 Retrying (14 of 20)...
W 00:04:12 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:12 Retrying (15 of 20)...
W 00:04:12 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:12 Retrying (16 of 20)...
W 00:04:12 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:12 Retrying (17 of 20)...
W 00:04:12 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:12 Retrying (18 of 20)...
W 00:04:12 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:12 Retrying (19 of 20)...
W 00:04:12 Retry Failed - Invalid Address For Write
W 00:04:12 Retrying (20 of 20)...
W 00:04:12 Retry Failed! - Invalid Address For Write
E 00:04:14 Failed to Write Sectors 2240 - 2271 - Invalid Address For Write
I 00:04:15 Synchronising Cache...
I 00:04:15 Cycling Tray after Test Write...
E 00:04:20 Failed to Write Image!
E 00:04:20 Operation Failed! - Duration: 00:04:16
I 00:04:20 Average Write Rate: 0 KB/s (0.0x) - Maximum Write Rate: 1,019 KB/s (0.7x)

[TBoneit]

I'm not a specialist but I believe there are two lasers in the DVD writers.
One Laser fort reading/writing CDs and a different one for reading/writing DVDs.
If so then maybe the DVD laser went?
Maybe someone else knows for sure.

Almost forgot, Might be a bad ISO. Did you try opening it with DVDShrink? I have found that shrink can read in an ISO and write the DVD structure to another directory quicker than ISOBuster plus it has the added benefit that it fixed a couple of ISOs that failed the simple test that Nero does before burning. IOW DVD Shrink, file menu, open disk image, then backup to another drive for better speed but same drive will work and then try burning again.

Good Luck

OT: I always had good burns from the Sony made drives, DRU500a & DRU510a

[jtoolman2000]

Can you still PLAY a dvd with it? My old drive all of a sudden decided not to read nor write to DVD with ANY program, although I could still read and write CDs perfectly. DVD laser was DEAD!

Baught a new one- Problems solved.

[OneSickPup]

FWIW - I had a DRU 510a that was a great drive - WHILE IT WORKED!!! Excellent quality burns and performance for 8 months - then started having difficulty recognizing media. Finally quit burning dvd's all together but would continue burning cdr's even to this day. From what little research I did in various forums, etc - I think your symptoms are very typical of this drive. I replaced mine with a Pioneer dvr108 and have been extremely pleased. Many good drives out there now though (Benq-NEC-Plextor-Pioneer-etc). I do think the drive is ready for replacement though. Best of luck.