Sony DRU 500a Clicking Noise :(

[sfxwe]

I have a Sony DRU 500a, when I put a DVD (Store bought or DVD +-R) I get this loud clicking noise. Anyone else have this happen or know what it might be other than it going out on me.

I did a search and the only thing I came up with was a guy that said his spit out a little white ring and then it was done for . Eventually the clicking stops after 5 - 10 secs.

I also notice that the ripping speed has slowed way down, like 2 times as long now to rip a DVD. Burning speed is still the same though God I hope it isnt taking a shit on me .

Any Ideas ?

[defense]

is this the same drive you had like 10 months ago when we were conversing on the DVDR proggy? If so, it sounds like a part or parts have worn out or possibley broken. That drive should make NO noise other then spin up when a disk is inserted. If it is still under warranty...send it in to Sony. I would be cautious using it like that..even if your burns appear to be good....unless you can watch each movie fully..i'd be very cautious.

[sfxwe]

Hey there D, it sure is the same drive bro. You think it is going out too huh?

[Bob W]

My long since dead DRU-500a did the same thing before it spit out a 3/4 inch diameter nylon spacer and went belly up. I can't image the item was a spare part.

[defense]

@ sfxwe...hey man...what's up....yea...sounds pretty bad man...I wouldn't chance it..it's only gonna get worse. It's still under warranty..right?

My long since dead DRU-500a did the same thing before it spit out a 3/4 inch diameter nylon spacer and went belly up

. Yea..but if I remember correctly..you had this issue prior to ever using your burner..right bob? So it was very possible the damage was done in shipping or improper handling somewhere along the line.

I can't image the item was a spare part.

lmao

[sfxwe]

I gotta find out if it still under warranty, I wanna say Sony has a 3 month warranty . I'm getting sick ......I feel this bad bad vibe

How ya doing D, its been awhile, lol. I see your still cranking out the post count, LOL.


@Bob , I think it was your post that I read....if your the one with the ring that came out ......

[defense]

I gotta find out if it still under warranty, I wanna say Sony has a 3 month warranty . I'm getting sick ......I feel this bad bad vibe

i'm cool man..how bout you? I just pulled my Sony Warrany card wiht the purchase of my burner and it says LIMITED WARRANTY, WARRANTY PERIOD "1 YEAR." So your warranty is also good for 1 year. It hasn't been a year since you've had it..has it? I know it's been close. Anyway...bobw's problem was different from yours. Their issue was upon immediately installing the drive prior to use. Your issue sounds "use related" and wear and tear. Of course, only you know how much you've actually used it.

Anyway...get that receipt man...you've got a year on that warranty...if a year has passed...and if you are going to purchase another one..like I suspect you would..then go with the lastest dual format 8x Plextor. Every place i've read gives the damn thing rave reviews.....even the SONY DRU-530A expected to be widely sold December 30th doesn't "APPEAR" to have anything on that Plextor.

That Plextor can burn to 4x media @8x..the DRU-530A can't do that..at least not at this time. In addition...it appears that there is a good possibility that Plextor will allow a firmware upgrade to enable it to burn DUAL LAYER MEDIA. The same is apparently true with the BENQ...but the Plextor seems like the way to go if you need to purchase a burner.

Those are some PRETTY INSANE SPECS man. .....I may try and sell my DRU-510A to go with the Plextor...don't get me wrong...the Sony burners are amazing...i've loved every minute i've used it....but as I said...that Plextor has amazing specs and I don't like the fact that Sony hasn't made mention of the fact that even if it were possible...that they'd potentially supply a firmware update to burn to dual layer media even if it could be done. Sony confirmed "their" current set of 1st generation burners do, infact, have the laser power to burn @8x...but as you can see....no firmware update for that either...just the "NEW" DRU-530A ready to be released.

[Roll Tide]

sfxwe,
I've been fighting Sony for three months to take my 500A back for repair. Mine stopped reading rewritable discs at first, and I noticed last night it will not recognize any disc anymore unless it's completely blank/brand new. This includes pressed DVDs. Oddly enough, it still does write to blank -R discs.

I have also been hearing that "clicking" noise when the drive is trying to recognize a disc. The problem I've had with Sony is that they insist on using their "approved" media to run their Drive Check software. To appease them, I've invested in several expensive Sony DVD-RWs, only to have the Drive Check program hang up because, guess what, the drive won't read what it just wrote! I'm hoping that they'll take it back now that it won't even perform the most basic of functions, reading a pressed DVD.

Not to go on, but I tell you this to prepare you to fight Sony's tech support. Their almost immediate response is it's a media issue, just because you're using Ritek instead of Sony media. Hope you have better luck than I'm having.

[garryward]

Had the same thing with my sony.
sent it off to sony got it repalced in 5 working day

[sfxwe]

Well, I bought that drive on 11-26-02 . What is the model #of that plextor? Is It the PX708A DVD±RW Writer ?

[defense]

@ sfxwe, that sucks man...but you know what..it might be a blessing in disguise for you. Yes, that is the model of the Plextor....and if you have any +R 4x media..that Plextor will write to them @8x...and apparently do so perfectly. That's pretty crazy when you think about it. Not to mention from all forums i've read from the Plextor toll free customer service is very good and you get a 1 year warranty from the purchase date of that drive as well. They also have the drive with a black bezel if you like that.

Not to mention that because of the increased competition in the DVD WRITER field...prices have dropped significantly..as expected. When we got our SONY's..they were around $350...I got a hell of a deal at that time..got it for about $320 and got a $50 M.I.R from a form someone posted on this site....but now prices are well under $200 for some top notch burners. You can get that Plextor for under $200. Prices have also continued to drop because of the expectation of dual layer burners...so to get a burner like that Plextor for under $200 is definitely well.,..well worth it.