Sony DRU-500A stopped recognizing rewritable discs...

[Roll Tide]

As of about 3 weeks ago, my DRU-500A will not recognize rewritable media. To clarify, I have 5 Memorex DVD-RW that I have rewritten multiple times each, without any problem. I also have the Sony DVD+RW that came with the drive. It has been written once. When I try to use Nero 5.5.10 to erase, the drive light comes on for 30 seconds or so, and then I get an error message. No files show in Windows Explorer for this drive, although the disc reads fine in my DVD-ROM drive and my standalone players.

I was beginning to think it was a Memorex problem, but the Sony +RW disc is not recognized either. Also, today I bought some CompUSA DVD-RW (all I could find besides Memorex), and the drive recognizes the disc as an erasable (in DVD Decrypter). I was able to burn a previously saved disc image using DVD Decrypter onto this blank -RW with no problem. I then tried to erase the disc using Nero, but it failed - the disc was never recognized.

So, it appears that the drive will not recognize rewritable media after it is burned the first time. Does anyone out there have an idea why this is happening?

BTW...the drive has been in service about 8 months. Also, the drive reads and writes DVD-R perfectly and consistently. I'm baffled, so I would appreciate any suggestions.

[You_Are_Alive]

It sounds like its time for a full erase, and if nero does not work, use record now. From what I remember reading, a rewritable is rated for 1000 rewrites, and thats it. Also check your media for defects too. The dru can't be messed up if it still works fine with -r media. Or maybe this just proves that even the dual burner prefers the better -r media. :P JK

[Roll Tide]

That cannot be it. As I have already stated, this is happening for any -/+RW media that have been written to previously. Nothing, Nero, even Windows Explorer recognizes these RW discs when in this drive. These Memorex discs have been reused no more than 5-10 times each. Also, as I have already stated, the CompUSA disc I tried today was brand new and worked okay. Only when I tried to erase it (after it's first burn) was it unrecognizable.

I appreciate the suggestion, but it isn't possible to do a full erase if the disc isn't even recognized in the first place.

[Roll Tide]

You_Are_Alive:

I just read my original post, and it is a little unclear. My drive is not recognizing the Memorex DVD-RW, the Sony DVD+RW, or the CompUSA DVD-RW that has been written to 1 time.

However, I did get the DVDInfo tool to recognize the disc, and I am doing a full format on it right now, even though it has only been written once. We'll see if that works, but I have my doubts.

Anyone else have any ideas? I dread having to deal with Sony Customer Service - I have done that before on a dud camcorder and it ain't fun.

[Roll Tide]

DVDInfo completed the full format of the CompUSA disc and said it completed successfully. Ulead DVD WS then recognized the disc as having empty space. However, after removing the disc and putting it back in, neither program will now recognize the disc!

I also tried erasing one of the Memorex DVD-RW with DVDInfo and it wouldn't recognize it.

Not making progress... any ideas anyone? Thanks!

[Redd]

You may need to re-flash the firmware.

[Roll Tide]

Thanks, Redd.

Is there any risk of messing the drive up by reflashing? I am using 1.0f and haven't had any problems with it thus far. DVDInfo identifies the drive as having this version currently installed.

[psx_pirate]

you dont need to format the disks, the disks only need to be formatted if you are going to use them with packet writing software such as incd or dla.
nero wont recognise disks formatted for packet writing.

solution:

go to ahead software site and download and install incd use incd to erase the rw disk then try nero to see if it recognises it.

use nero with disks as they are e.g: without formatting them, just put the disk in the drive and burn the data to it without doing any formatting at all

[Roll Tide]

InCD and packet writing software have nothing to do with this issue. I only use DVD-RW's for testing authored DVD-Video. The problem is trying to reuse one of these discs after it has been used previously. Normally, DVD Workshop would offer to erase the disc upon trying to use a full rewritable. That is not happening, as no app (except DVDInfo on one disc only) is recognizing the disc to begin with.

I am beginning to think no one has any experience with this. I dread dealing with Sony.

[Redd]

I guess there can always be a risk. I'm sure the benefits far out weigh the risks. Sony does provide detailed instructions and the lastest firmware here:

http://sony.storagesupport.com/dvdrw/dru500adwn.htm

[edyohome]

My problems are similar but I've yet to see a logical solution at this forum...using Optorite DD0203 burner flashed to v2.23. Fujifilm DVD-RW media, Windows ME, Nero 6.3.0.0, DVDInfoPro. None of these apps recognize the discs (not even WinME). Therefore none can erase and none can reformat. These were brand new discs. Tried burning video and the discs errored out during the burn. Have been unrecognizable by the system ever since.

If any new info or solutions have been posted to this problem, please pass along

thx

[Roll Tide]

Sorry I can't be of help as my problem was a bad drive. I FINALLY got Sony to take the drive back. It arrived at their service center today, so I'm hoping to hear something on it soon. I started calling them in September, and here it is January (with 10 days of warranty left) before they finally take it. I'll be buying another brand in the future. I have a Panasonic Multi-Burner that cost a third of what the Sony cost and it's a solid workhorse.

IMO, Sony has the worst customer support around in the electronics world.

[KXS]

Wow,

You have the same problem as me, it just happened recently. I'm glad to see someone else with this problem. I wonder if this is hardware related. My burner is installed on the slave of the secondary IDE. This was not a problem in the beginning, not sure if this is causing the problem.

Looking back, I just recently did a clean install of xp sp1. So I am not sure if this could be a variable to consider...

I hope I can find a solution, my dvd-rs are recognized which is weird, also all my cdrws, and cdr work fine...

[Fred©]

My problems are similar but I've yet to see a logical solution at this forum...using Optorite DD0203 burner flashed to v2.23. Fujifilm DVD-RW media, Windows ME, Nero 6.3.0.0, DVDInfoPro. None of these apps recognize the discs (not even WinME). Therefore none can erase and none can reformat. These were brand new discs. Tried burning video and the discs errored out during the burn. Have been unrecognizable by the system ever since.

If any new info or solutions have been posted to this problem, please pass along

thx

I have similar problems then edyohome... windows Me, LG-GSA-4040B A302 firmware, master with DMA, no way to burn/format (UDF) with B'Clip and Nero an LC Quality DVD+RW media... error messages reported by ASPI drivers... no problem with DVD-RAM that came bundled or SONY DVD-RW...

Fred©