Blank DVDs not being recognised

[PeteCullen]

Hi there, the drive on my VGN-A317S started to make a high pitched whistling noise when I installing some software from CD last night, and today it takes a long time to read DVD discs, and will not recognise DVD-R media to burn a disc at all.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[rich912]

Sad to say that I have lost count of the number of problems reported here for this optical drive (DW-D56A). Try a search of this forum and you will see what I mean!

There is a firmware update available for your model on Vaio Link, but I doubt that it will make any difference. If your A317S is still in warranty I suggest that you contact support.

[wheresmybeaver]

Hey hey, sounds like the problem I had! Eventually the DVD burner on my A217m (featuring the infamous D56A drive) could only successfully play brand-new completely-scratch-free DVDs, and would fail half ways through reading or burning to any other media (both CDs and DVDs). High-pitched whirring noise was a common occurence.

Luckily though I'm still in warranty, and so far I've been impressed by the support. These were the steps I took last week, in case anybody's interested to know how it works.

1. Created an eSupport case detailing the problem on www.vaio-link.com
2. After establishing that the problem was defintely hardware, Sony called me up immediately and set a time for delivery of a padded box in which to return my laptop. 24 hours later, box arrives from Belgium via DHL.
3. The next day, I rang up DHL to take the laptop away. One hour later, the laptop was being whisked away to France (well done DHL)
4. Repair Status on Vaio Link tells me its being "diagnosed" and will be repaired ASAP.

So far so good, should have it back in a week (Support said 5-10 working days). They were pretty friendly and accomodating about the whole thing (No "Are you sure you haven't been trying to burn to a beer mat" questions). Of course, will have to wait and see how long before it gets back.

By the by, they didn't ask me for proof of purchase (to ensure I was still within the 1 year warranty), I thought that was fairly trusting of them. Sound, Sony.

[Twisted-Rizla]

 "Are you sure you haven't been trying to burn to a beer mat"

Would that be ANY kind of beer mat?

Might explain why I haven't been able to burn anything since leaving the pub last Tuesday.

[rich912]

Would that be ANY kind of beer mat?

Good one T-R!

[rich912]

Thanks for the guide wheresmybeaver, it will no doubt be useful to many a user with that optical drive.

Btw how are things in Youghal? I knew the parish priest there, one father Tom, many years ago – probably long dead now. Thank god that I don’t have to wash his car on a Sunday afternoon anymore!!

[PeteCullen]

Thanks for the info guys, I'll check the firmware out and then get in touch with support if needs be!

[wheresmybeaver]

Well good news, the laptop has been repaired and is now being transported back. Its currrently in the UK, according to DHL, and I should have it in the next 2 days.

So, 1 week turn around for a warranty repair, and it didn't cost a thing! Not even the cost of a phone call, the Sony Support helpline insisted that they ring me instead of vice versa. I'm well impressed, Sony. I had an interesting experience with a Toshiba laptop warranty repair two years ago. It took 2 months, 5 weeks of which it was under a desk in an office in Dublin, completely forgotten about until I rang them up... And the problem resurfaced 2 weeks after I got it back...

@Rich912; all is well in Youghal, thanks for asking! Don't know about that priest but I suspect my father knows of him, I'll be sure to ask. Hopefully you don't have to wash anybody elses car on a Sunday anymore

@Twisted-Rizla; I think that optimum burning resullts are achieved with dry, round-type beer mats. Try the Murphys or Heineken brand of mat. Always check for ash or spillage. :smileygrin:

[Twisted-Rizla]

LOL

I got ripped off! I've ended up with cheap Carling Black Label ones! Can't do a bloody thing with them. eugh!:smileycry:

Good news with the laptop though:smileyhappy:

[kee-lo_]

Yeah always good to hear success stories