Can someone help me decide what to do about my defective DVD-RW drive? It doesn't read from or write to CDs or DVDs, except that it was able to read from program distribution CDs. And it could play audio CDs. The drive came with the Sony VAIO notebook computer that I purchased about two years ago used. I tried, unsuccessfully: 1) installing a firmware update for it. 2) deleting the driver in device manager and rebooting. 3) disabling the generic Windows XP driver and using a DVD-RAM driver I downloaded from the www. 4) deleting the upper and lower filters in the registry. 5) cleaning the scanner lens with a Q-tip swab and some rubbing alcohol. Before I cleaned the drive, it read distribution software CDs like Norton Internet Security. Now it can't even read those. Cleaning it did help it to read audio disks before, but not now. Is the drive shot? Is it worth repairing or would it cheaper to replace it with a better one? I'm afraid to replace it myself for fear of damaging the computer. It's the only one my wife and I have. I contacted the Sony Style repair department and asked for help, only to be told that since my notebook computer is out of warranty, I'd have to bring it to an authorized service center for repair. Doing that would set me back at least $400, which I can't afford. Gary K
I plan to buy an external DVD-RW drive anyway. But the solution I'm looking for is one that'll allow me to have a working internal DVD-RW drive. There must be a way that I can repair or replace the drive without having to spend $500. It would cost no more than $75 to replace a defective optical drive for a desktop computer. If the risk of damaging the notebook if I replace the drive myself is too great, I may have to settle for using the external drive exclusively. But I'm not at the point of acknowledging that yet. I need help
You can do a search on the net, to see if there is a "how to" for your laptop, that shows you how to replace it. Outside of that, you are SOL. You'll have to have a repair shop do it.
Thanks for your advice. But I couldn't find a repair manual online for my Sony VAIO computer. The Sony service division told me by e-mail that they don't offer one, so my guess is one doesn't exist. However I can purchase a schematic disk on e-bay that'll help me to safely replace the defective unit. So what I specifically need to know is: 1) Will spraying compressed air on the optical drive's scanner lens bring it back to life? 2) Do I have to purchase a certain model of DVD-RW drive for this notebook? 3) Can the first question be answered by Sony without having to pay for technical support? 4) has anyone on this forum successfully replaced a defective part or parts in their notebook computer and would they be willing to share their experience with me? 5) can anyone recommend a repair shop that will replace the unit for a reasonable price, assuming I purchase the unit? I also don't want to have to drive halfway across the state to have the notebook repaired, or leave the notebook with the repair shop for a long time. From what I've been reading online, after reading your last post, it's clear to me that Sony notebooks are inferior to other brands regarding maintenance. Yet Sony charges as much as anyone to repair them. Many other Sony VAIO owners have had problems repairing their notebooks, see http://www.geek.com/forums/topic.php?id=33363&page. This should be made known to those considering the purchase of a Sony VAIO notebook, so that they're better-informed than I was before I purchased mine. I was more concerned with the notebook's performance than I was with what would be involved with maintaining it.
Having received no replies to my last message, I decided to ask for advice from a computer consultant in my area. He was very helpful and suggested that I again clean the lens with rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip, but with a moist Q-tip, not one that's dripping wet. This was after I played a CD lens cleaner disk in the drive. And do you know what? The DVD drive responded by reading program distribution disks, audio CDs and film DVDs! I still can't get the drive to write to CDs or DVDs. The consultant also sent a list of CD DVD drives compatible with my notebook (Sony VAIO VGN-FS790), if I wish to replace the defective drive. And he found a step-by-step procedure with pictures, for replacing the drive in the system. I don't think I'm brave enough to attempt doing this myself, as the notebook is our only computer for now. I'm considering bringing it to a technical school or college to give the students a chance to try repairing it. They'll charge me a lot less than $400 to replace the drive, and I'll get to see them do it, so I can do it myself the next time. I highly recommend the consultant to you if you happen to live in the Santa Barbara, Ca area. His name is Tom and he's with the Thoran Group. He didn't charge me anything for his time, even though I'm sure he spent a least an hour helping me with the drive. I'd say he's a very ethical and competent individual. I'd give out his last name except I wish to respect his privacy since I'm posting his name on the www. But more information about his firm can be found on his website http://www.thorangroup.com.
