topic Re: Optical Drive Issues in PCs & Accessories

Optical Drive Issues

Rolu — Sun, 16 Jan 2005 19:12:55 GMT

Hi Everybody,

I have been browsing through this forum today for a while and realized that there are all kinds of issues with the optical drives Sony is delivering with their notebooks (but not limited to notebooks). Despite there may be some problems related to incorrect system setup I would regard a significant amount of them as hardware (?) related. I am having such a problem too.
I just wonder whether Sony is aware of this and whether they have identified the root causes of all these issues. Are there any driver related problems or is it a manufacturing problem? I would like Sony being more responsive and active on these quality issues. So far I am very disappointed with the way Sony is handling the problems.

By the way, I also do not appreciate the way Sony is bundling their notebooks with Sony SW packages that aren't really good in my opinion but intend to bind customers to their products. In terms of updates and bug fixing this part (have a look which SW has been updated recently) seems to be far better supported than the pure basics of the system.

Best Regards
Rolu

Re: Optical Drive Issues

rich912 — Sun, 16 Jan 2005 20:16:38 GMT

Too right that there are numerous problems with optical drives shipped with Sony notebooks!! Regardless of whether this is software or hardware related Sony should really address this problem.
Is it possible to make this post sticky and see how quickly it grows?:smileysad:

Re: Optical Drive Issues

kee-lo_ — Sun, 16 Jan 2005 20:29:27 GMT

It's crazy the amount of posts I see about CD/DVD drives.....

There's no stickies yet, which is sad

Re: Optical Drive Issues

dabbler — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 17:41:57 GMT

Well how do we make a post "sticky" exactly. Yesterday, I tried several times to reply to the DVD drive problems and my posts at the time seemed to dissapear. I kept trying again and again begining to think that there was a conspiracy theory ...lol.. that Sony were removing my posts. Today all the posts have appeared and so i ended up making multiple posts in several threads. Apologies.

Nonetheless THERE IS DEFINITELY A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH SONY DVD/CD DRIVES!!! How do we expose it to the general public so that Sony do something??

Re: Optical Drive Issues

Foxhound — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 18:34:56 GMT

Problem with SONY is that they put other companies OEM hardware in it. Like most OEM hardware the software and drivers are supported by the (re)seller of the hardware NOT the manufactor.
SONY has always been more keen on fast releases of new hardware, then on updating firmware and patching software on "older" models. Their "display driver" updates, for example, are non existent.
Both VAIO's I owned had MATSHITA drives in it
MATSHITA = PANASONIC. No use to go to their websites since they tell you to go to SONY, IBM and co. for support.
SONY even disabled DVD-RAM support on the UJ-812 model that I currently use. The Matshita site confirms DVD-RAM support for this drive.:smileyconfused:

Re: Optical Drive Issues

yakumo — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 18:35:33 GMT

Well l'm miffed, not only do Sony realise they have a problem but have scant regard to remedy this situation. l have had my DVD-RW fixed last September and was told by the technicians that the problem wouldn't occur again but suprise suprise it has. Now with my finals coming up, l have to invest in an external writer to read and burn my animation reel or wait until Sony responds and charges me since my warranty i s expired.

Anything that bugged me is that the screw on the side of the speakers on the GRT7XXX series abover the firewire they forgot to put back. So now my speaker cover is loose.

Re: Optical Drive Issues

Foxhound — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:06:12 GMT

Yakumo, I'm sorry to hear that but it seems SONY support hasn't always been up to their "pricetag".
However you probably get better burning speeds with your external burner anyway. I too use an external burner when I am at home. I only burn with my laptop when I am "on the go".
I can imagen your frustration though, paying a hefty price one can expect atleast hassle free woring hardware.

Re: Optical Drive Issues

kee-lo_ — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:08:02 GMT

Most of these drives are not Sony too, Matshita etc....

Re: Optical Drive Issues

rich912 — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:19:06 GMT

Mine is a Matshita UDJA 710 and the net is full of forums discussing problems with this drive. How can Sony, as the end supplier, turn their backs on the problem?
Keep this thread up and running and just maybe Sony will take some notice!

Re: Optical Drive Issues

kee-lo_ — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:20:21 GMT

Indeed
bump bump bump

Re: Optical Drive Issues

Foxhound — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:38:03 GMT

haha. ok here's my bump.
.

Re: Optical Drive Issues

rich912 — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:49:40 GMT

You never know Foxhound!! Keep them comming.

Re: Optical Drive Issues

kee-lo_ — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 20:11:38 GMT

Well I only hope it works.

Re: Optical Drive Issues

jammold — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 20:17:53 GMT

It is odd that Sony put OEM hardware in their laptops/desktops, for instance I have a QSI (Quanta Storage Inc) Combo DVD drive... Surely it would be better to have Sony DVD/CDRW drives instead?!

Re: Optical Drive Issues

kee-lo_ — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 20:22:49 GMT

It's what's cheap that counts to them.

Re: Optical Drive Issues

yakumo — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 20:24:33 GMT

The main problem is why should l have to consider buying an external burner in the first place to rectify Sony's fault?. Its also a hassle since the drive in my laptop is practically dead weight and useless, l wanted ti fixed however, since my showcase is comming up in a month's time l need to go and buy a burner...sigh.

l assumed l was the only person with a problem like this but honestly l'm shocked by the complancy and lack of support for their existing customers.

Re: Optical Drive Issues

rich912 — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 20:38:00 GMT

I second that Kee-Lo!!

Re: Optical Drive Issues

yakumo — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 00:22:27 GMT

Scummy Sony

Bump me do

Re: Optical Drive Issues

Rolu — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 05:47:58 GMT

Hi Guys,

I really didn't expect to kickoff such an avalanche but I very much appreciate the reception. From all I can read it may be a real good idea to keep this post going as long as possible. At the time it becomes long long, Sony at least has a good feedback on how their policy and service is received. I do not expect something will change but that doesn't imply we have to shut up. Eventually by joining forces we may get something started and Sony reconsiders some of their policies.
Sending information like this to PC magazines which regularly evaluate new products might also be a good idea. These magazines are not interested in single cases, but if the issues pile up they might mention it in one of their reviews.
So lets keep going.

Best Regards to Everybody

Rolu

Re: Optical Drive Issues

TygerTyger — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 14:16:44 GMT

Sony don't read their forum, so they won't know from here. But certainly helps to join up and complain when they mess up