topic Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive in PCs & Accessories

DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

Horst203 — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 01:47:41 GMT

Hi everybody,

two days ago UPS brought me my "new" Sony VAIO PCV-RSM31 that I bought from Sony Style Auctions via eBay.

As far as I understand the specs this Desktop VAIO should have one DVD-RW drive and one DVD-ROM.

But under Windows XP and under Windows 2000 SP4 (yes, I tried that OS too) the DVD-RW drive is labeled in the hardware manager as DVD-ROM Pioneer DVD - 119R with Firmware Version 1.07 from 2002-10-16. An no software will burn anything with it. I tried Alcohol 120%, Nero 6 and even the stuff coming with the Vaio called something with Drag&Drop. The software can't find any burning device.

The other DVD drive is labeled DVD-ROM Pioneer DVD - 121R with Firmware Version 1.00 from 2003-06-03.

I reinstalled Win XP two times with the Recovery DVD, but no effect. It stays the same.
I searched Vaio-Link, Club Vaio, the Pioneer website, but found nothing.

Does anybody know something about this problem?
This Vaio desktop should have a DVD-RW, shouldn't it.

Any help will be appreciated!

Horst:smileygrin:

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

robpaxton — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 02:06:48 GMT

The specs at http://www.vaio-link.com/specifications/specifications.asp?l=en&m=1415 say you should have a DVD-ROM and a DVD+/-R/RW drive

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

Horst203 — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 02:13:11 GMT

Hi Rob,

yes, that's the way I understood them, too.
But the problem stays 😉

Greetings
Horst

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

robpaxton — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 02:26:24 GMT

Did the spec given on Ebay say anything about the computer having non standard drives? If it didn't then I would telephone Vaio-Link on Monday as SonyStyle auctions normally give a warranty.

Also, does the drive fascia not have the DVD writer logo on it?

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

Horst203 — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 02:38:58 GMT

No, the description on ebay was like the specs.
And the drive fascia of one of the drives has the writer logo, the other fascia only the DVD logo.

But if you try for hours to get the drive to burn, you start to wonder if the logo only means the drive reads DVD-RW disks.

And believe me, I will phone on Monday to Vaio-Link!
But I was hoping that someone had an idea for me before Monday. Who knows, maybe there is someone later.

Thank you for your interest and support.

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

kee-lo_ — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 18:05:33 GMT

I have a bad feeling that someone on ebay isn't being honest and switched the drive on you.

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

TygerTyger — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 19:12:45 GMT

It's possible, although if they switched the drive fronts to have the Writer logo they certainly went to a fair bit of effort for not a lot of gain. At any rate, both 121R and 119R are DVD-ROM only, not writers so it would seem that you are missing a writable drive.

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

Horst203 — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 21:12:04 GMT

Well, I think that's not a possibility because I bought the Desktop on eBay from Sony Style Auctions. That's the eBay-shop from Sony Europe in Brussels. I got all the papers and the registration.

On eBay they gave the status as Conditions: Refurbished Product

This is Sony for:
"These refurbished products are the result of, but not limited to, customer product evaluations and open box returns. Upon return to our repair facility, these products are put through a full set of functional test procedures, cleaned, repaired (if needed), and refreshed with in-box materials to be classified as "refurbished." Refurbished products may contain minor cosmetic blemishes."

Strange thing is, if they made the functional tests why can't I burn a thing even after reinstallation?

Well, let's hope for vaio-link phone line.

Thanks to all
Horst

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

kee-lo_ — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 21:56:14 GMT

Ah cool, so it IS Sony ..... hehehe they kept it quiet!

It seems like it's legit so you can ask VAIO Link about replacing the ROM for RW as described.

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

robpaxton — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 22:02:32 GMT

I reckon they will repair the computer without a problem. It sounds as though the techicians who refurbished the computer just put the wrong replacement drive in. They would've used the fascia from the drive that was taken out.

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

kee-lo_ — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 22:05:28 GMT

Yeah I agree, you'll probably get no fuss

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

Horst203 — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 22:24:52 GMT

Well, let's hope the best and await the things to come.
I hope I don't have to send the PC back to Brussels.
You never know what the support people come up with.

Best wishes
Horst

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

kee-lo_ — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 15:45:49 GMT

If the rules which apply to usual VAIOs then you won't pay to have it fixed or delivered under the 12 month garuntee

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

TygerTyger — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 17:57:10 GMT

If you live in Germany you get a 2 year guarantee free. Lucky them I say.

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

kee-lo_ — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 19:48:55 GMT

Grrrrrr home come?

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

robpaxton — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 19:53:20 GMT

I noticed that a while ago. All of the Vaios sold in Germany after Sept 2003 have two year warranties. Did German law change around then?

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

kee-lo_ — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 19:58:15 GMT

The good thing is if you go to John Lewis you get 3

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

Horst203 — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 23:57:54 GMT

Hi RobPaxton,

yes, Germany changed the law. Every seller of good has to give two years of general warranty for their products.

And the first thing, they told me on the VAIO-Link phone was, that according to my serial number my Desktop would only have 1 year of warranty left. But first they must decide if I get registration and support at all, because I bought from Sony Style via eBay and from Brussels.

So, first they solve the registration stuff and then they tell me how to fix my DVD-RW-Problem. Very nice support 😞

I send them the Proof of Purchase via email on Sunday and today morning they told me that my email could take up to two days to reach the support analyst (what a nice title). Maybe they should change from Email to Pidgeon Postal Service.

But they will call back to my mobile. They promised.
Well, I will post to the thread the outcome.

An angry and tired VAIO Newbie
Horst

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

TygerTyger — Tue, 11 Jan 2005 12:07:36 GMT

Good old Germany eh.

Unfortunately if you buy off eBay they are quite entitled to check if you are entitled to support. In fact many companys would just say no straight away, so fingers crossed for you.

2 days is a little slow for emails isn't wonder where they all go. I got confused by the 'support analyst' title too, I called them and they gave a list of options in a menu or said wait if you want to talk to an "analsyt" not even a "support analyst". It sounds like an IT consultancy service for businesses, I couldn't work out just how to get support

Re: DVD-RW is not detected as writable drive

robpaxton — Tue, 11 Jan 2005 15:06:24 GMT

Even if they don't offer support then Horst should still be entitled to the computer which was advertised. The specifications state that the machine has a DVD writer so it should be supplied with a DVD writer.