topic Re: GRT786M - DVD+RW's not recognised in PCs & Accessories

GRT786M - DVD+RW's not recognised

emjayhaych — Sat, 28 Aug 2004 13:38:47 GMT

Hi, I've had this problem for a while and not been able to solve it after trying various things, so I'm not sure whether the drive itself is to blame or not.
My drive is DW-U50A +/-RW, which is updated with the latest firmware for it - 1.5g. I'm running Windows XP SP1 with fully functional ASPI drivers. Previously, all I've used are CD-R's and DVD-R's, both of which have worked fine.
But I've recently been trying to use DVD+RW discs with no success whatsoever. I have tried Imation and TDK (4.7GB, 1-4x) discs. Currently I'm still trying to get the TDK discs to work. When I insert a new blank disc, in My Computer the drive changes from 'DVD-RW E:' to CD drive E:, although properties show 4.37GB free on the disc.
When I use Nero, quick erase does not work correctly, and when I try to burn data, before the burn process is about to begin, there's an error and Nero states it is an 'illegal disc', identifying it as a DD-CDROM?!
I have also tried using DeepBurn software, which comes up with the error - "this media is not writeable".
WriteDVD! is also unable to format the disc for UDF use.
Nero InfoTool shows the disc info as being a 4.7GB DVD+RW but having 0.00GB capacity.
I have also tried turning off XP's IMAPI service, which makes no difference, and also made sure that 'autorun' is disabled.
I'm at a loss with what to do, I'm sure it can't be the media, I have tried 10 Imation Discs and 5 TDK discs, none of them will let me burn/erase/format in any way.
I'd be very grateful for any help!!! This is annoying to say the least.
- Mike

Re: GRT786M - DVD+RW's not recognised

kee-lo_ — Sat, 28 Aug 2004 13:43:09 GMT

Mike,

I know it says -/+ but I have a feeling it's lying, seems to me it can only do -. All the syntoms of a drive which cannot handle + disks seems to be shown.

Re: GRT786M - DVD+RW's not recognised

emjayhaych — Sat, 28 Aug 2004 14:58:09 GMT

Really....well surely it must be something wrong with the driver, because the latest firmware for the DW-U50A specifically mentioned that it included support for 1-4x DVD+RW discs, and all the signs point to the drive being able to read/write them. On the front of the drive bay it has the 'DVD+rewritable' logo, Nero Infotool analyses it as being able to read and write DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW......
Even if the drive is 'lying' (surely this is a case for a replacement under false pretences?! What if I'd specifically decided to get this laptop because it was dual format DVD+/-RW like it advertised?!) why would Sony mention support for DVD+RW's in the firmware?

Re: GRT786M - DVD+RW's not recognised

kee-lo_ — Sat, 28 Aug 2004 16:02:09 GMT

I had a look at this model and + should work - I'm wondering if it's something to do with the ASPI layers you installed.

Re: GRT786M - DVD+RW's not recognised

emjayhaych — Sat, 28 Aug 2004 16:56:32 GMT

A few days ago (when this problem was happening) I had ASPI version 4.72 installed, and yesterday I tried ASPI version 4.60, after reading some posts via a google search that indicated it was a better option than the latest ASPI drivers.
So at the moment I have 4.60 installed, but I know the the latest version also doesn't help matters.
I'm not that familiar with ASPI - are there different variations of the same release? As in, made by different people?

Re: GRT786M - DVD+RW's not recognised

kee-lo_ — Sat, 28 Aug 2004 18:29:46 GMT

Not really sure, but ForceASPI has an option to remove them.

Re: GRT786M - DVD+RW's not recognised

emjayhaych — Sat, 28 Aug 2004 19:54:10 GMT

Yeah I've tried that, I always dump my current ASPI before trying another one, but ForceASPI only installs version 4.60 of ASPI, not the latest, version 4.72.
I've just downloaded Adaptec's ASPI 4.72 drivers - there's a DLL and SYS file included for using with XP, which I've copied over to the system directory, but these don't seem to alter anything. I've also made a registry setting change which was recommended, and that didnt help either.
I would get some DVD-RW's just to see if they worked instead, but I've obviously no grounds to get a refund for these (possibly working) DVD+RW's, and no spare cash at the moment.....and I'm specially hesitant to waste money when it could be something to do with my setup which is stopping me using DVD+RW's.

Re: GRT786M - DVD+RW's not recognised

kee-lo_ — Sat, 28 Aug 2004 20:43:42 GMT

Yeah it's not an easy thing to solve is it?

Re: GRT786M - DVD+RW's not recognised

emjayhaych — Mon, 30 Aug 2004 16:25:31 GMT

*bump*.....
So you're leaving me with a question? Great.

Re: GRT786M - DVD+RW's not recognised

TygerTyger — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 09:24:30 GMT

I think that the silence is an unspoken suggestion that you either trying buying some DVDRW's to check, or get on the phone to proper Sony support. Looks like everyone's out of ideas.

Re: GRT786M - DVD+RW's not recognised

kee-lo_ — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 13:38:02 GMT

I think  that the silence is an unspoken suggestion that you either trying buying some DVDRW's to check, or get on the phone to proper Sony support. Looks like everyone's out of ideas.

The first bit is definately my sentiment, try other disks, thats all Sony will say anyway.