Sony DRU500a Problems

[Ron B]

Hello everyone-I've been having increasing problems writing DVDs with my DRU500a. It stopped writing DVDs with Nero, then with RecordNow, now I just get "illegal medium" error messages or BSOD when I try to write a simple DVD data disc on Sony DVDs. Reflashed firmware from beginning to end, no good.
The drive is a few months past the warranty date, so I'm guessing the drive is dying, at least the writing part of it. Has anyone else with this drive had similar symptoms? If this drive is dead, it will be my last Sony.
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance-Ron B

[triphop]

No, I have had no problems with my drive. I cannot even remember the firmware version. Do yourself a favor and try:

1. unplug uncessary cards, peripherals
2. Declock your machine (its not overclocked?)
3. Suspect the powersupply or even memory...
4. Make sure that you have error checked *ALL* your drives.

Good luck - this can be frustrating.

[lenti_75]

come on....d ude, soon you will have the drive only....or maybe you don't need all the cards....
dit you tried different media ??? try that, and if not.....it's the drive. you could install it on different computer....
it's been the 5th drive dead in 1 month, just on this site....sony....
removing the cards and overclocking is stupid.
if still no luck, time for another one, and try to avoid Sony. they suck, and most of them die when are just past 1 year....

[triphop]

DUDE, its called process of elimination. Jeez. 'nuff said.

[Ron B]

The drive reads and writes CDs, only reads DVDs, cannot burn them. I'm using all Sony media in a Sony drive, I think the computer is OK. Not sure what the deal is.

[lacywest]

I've had my Sony DVD burner for almost a year ... I got it last spring ... not sure what month.

No problems ... firmware wize ... I guess I'm up to date ... unless another one has popped up in last couple of months.

I use Ritek DVDs 2x.

http://store.yahoo.com/cdrdvdrmedia/newspecrithi1.html

Genuine Ritek G03 Grade A DVD-R
25 Pack Genuine Ritek G03 Grade A DVD-R Silver/Purple 4.7GB Blank Media General DVDR Disc, $1.06 each
Free Ground Shipping (Continental USA only)
102-004-025-fs $26.50

Blow Out Sale - Lowest Price Plus Free Ground Shipping!

Ritek G03 Silver/Purple DVD-R 4.7GB for General Use
Blank Silver on Top with a Dark Purple Recording Surface

Write Speed:
Stable 2X if you have a Pioneer 104/A04 Drive on Firmwire version 1.31
1x if you have other dvdr drives or other version of Firmwire

Storage Capacity : 4.7GB

Disc Diameter : 12 cm

Conform to DVD Specifications for Recordable Disc Ver 1.9 & Ver 2.0 (DVD-R)

High quality organic dye recording layer materials improve short wavelength recording characteristics for reliable recording and playback.

Precise substrate molding and improved disc bonding technologies effectively control tilt of the disc for outstanding reliability and durability

Compatible format for DVD-ROM master disc production and a high capacity for archive storage.

And the Riteks 4x ... that PCClub [www.pcclub.com] sells.

and for my Panasonic DMR-E50S ... the CompUSA 1x El Cheapo [Princo]

CompUSA did sell another brand same kind but silver on top.

Media Information
Region information N/A not a DVD-VIDEO
Media code/Manufacturer ID OPTODISCK001
Format Capacity Not Formatted
Free Blocks 411107328
Free Capacity 4.38GB(4.71GB)
Book Type DVD-R
Media Type DVD-R
Media Id Code Speed 1.0x 1385KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 2.0x 2770KBps
Available Write Descriptor CLV 1.0x 1385KBps
Write Strategy Speed 1.0x 1385KBps
Data area starting sector 30000h
Linear Density 0.267um/bit
Track Density 0.74um/track
Number of Layers 1

I can't get a successful burn on the new CompUSA 1x Princos ... when I burn with the Sony DVD Burner ... but no problems with my Panasonic DVD Recorder.

But with the OPTODISCK001 ... disks ... I have a bunch of them with archived stuff ... they burned just fine. Took awhile at 1x to burn ... but the new Compusa Princos ... they fail !!!

[ViRaL1]

2.0h is the latest. Been a month or two I believe.

[Ron B]

The drive failed the Sony drive diagnostic test, so I'm writing it off. I need to backup some files and can't fool around too much. I don't think I burned 200 discs with it. All the firmware updates worked until the last one(either 20f or 20g), then the illegal media messages began, first with Nero. I thought it was because Nero 5.5 didn't support the firmware, then RecordNow started bluescreening on me. I disconnected the drive, tried all the previous firmware, no dice.
I just ordered the NEC 2500A from newegg for $90. I'll give that a shot. I have lots of Sony video gear, it's the best. I'm 0-2 on Sony optical drives so it kind of evens out.

[mike1061]

My Sony DRU510A now only burns CDs at 20-25 minutes per disk, I'm guessing thats about 3 or 4x. I burned about 300 or so disks, never even got to a DVD. I sure did think for $350.00 it would last longer than that.
Mike.

[triphop]

RonB:

It failed the diagnostic?! That certainly would make the drive itself suspect - the NEC 2500 sounds like a champ.

good luck, trip

[handyguy]

uninstall it in system & restart. then run diags.

[Ron B]

Thanks handyguy-I tried that, it's dead. The increasing number of posts regarding DRU500 failures seems to indicate that a short lifespan is is typical for these, when they were purchased, very expensive and slow DVD writers. I have had trouble with a Sony CD writer as well, so no more Sony optical drives.