Sony VAIO Optic DVD-RW problem

[Hikeman]

Hey guys. I have Sony Vaio VPCEB1S1E/BJ laptop. Recently the DVD drive stooped working, meaning : if I insert any disc it will show them empty and if it's really empty and I try to burn something, it will start the burning process, but will be interrupted approximately at 32%. in Device manager the device version is "DVD-RW AD-7700H".
The drive is not overused, cuz I used it early!
I think I need to re install the firmware, if so, then pleas help me out cuz I don't know how? and where to get the actual firmware.

Thanks

 

[jumanji]

Try running the Microsoft Fixit here: http://support.microsoft.com/mats/cd_dvd_drive_problems/en

 

[Hikeman]

Didn't work It is asking to to put a writable disk in order to troubleshoot (I am inserting a disc) and it is saying that the disc is not writable, but I inserted many types of discs (blank ones)..
If you know how to flash the firmware specifically for my model, pleas help me out.
Thanks

 

[Hikeman]

Is there anything else I can try to make my DVD-RW AD-7700H work???
Thanks

 

[jumanji]

Well, we are on a sticky ground.

Have you tried cleaning the lense with a CD Lense Cleaner?

If not do it and then check.

The next thing you can do is to uninstall the optical drive in Device Manager and reboot it.

If it does not help. I would connect an external DVD drive and check. If it works without any problem, then your internal drive is dead.

What if the external DVD drive also exhibits the same problem?

Then a Repair Install is recommended.

 

[Hikeman]

The thing is that it is reading DVD and CD without a problem, also I can burn CD discs , but not DVD discs !!!
I will try the CD Lense Cleaner and this days!
Thanks

 

[jumanji]

Hi, In your first post you said "if I insert any disc it will show them empty" meaning it does not read any disc at all!

Now you are saying "that it is reading DVD and CD without a problem, also I can burn CD discs , but not DVD discs" You should have said this in your first post.

Anyway, a partial failure in a CD/DVD combo drive is a distinct possibility since CD and DVD use different lasers and laser intensity to burn the media.

However the quality of the media also comes into the picture.Burn failures with a substandard media are common. Always use a well known quality media.

So my recommendation here will be :

1: Clean your lense if you hadn't done anytime before.

2. Try a good media such as Taiyo Yuden/JVC/Verbatim and check. (use a rewritable media so that you can recover the media in case of a burn failure.)

3. Try to burn at a lower speed.

( Google search on tips for burning CDs/DVDs. There are many more.)

4. And yes, a firmware update that includes additional compatible media, may also help sometimes. You have to search the PC manufacturer's website and ODD manufacturer' s website for any updates for your brand of ODD.

If all this does not help. replace the drive, buy an external ODD or live with the partial functionality.