My DVD-R drive is Pooping Out, please advise/help

I have a Sony Laptop PCG-FRV37 with a Matshita UJ-810 DVR-R drive.

Well, I started hearing little gear slippage sounds just recently. When the lazer is moving back and forth to read the media, then I hear what sounds like the gear teeth slipping and that little grindy sound it makes.
Obviously not good.

Now, it wont burn my DVD's or CD's. I got an error "Focus servo Error" so Im assuming the drive it going out. I hardly used it but in the past 2 months, Ive used it to back up my DVD's and CD's without any errors or problems. I made my first coaster the other day and got the focus servo error.

Assuming the drive has gone bad, so I wanted to ask....

What should/can I replace it with?

Can I replace it with something thats better out there than this Matshita DVR-R drive the laptop came with? This drive didnt last long at all once i started to use it. I want to replace it with something better. Do I have only certain choices with this sony laptop?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I use DVD Dycrp and shrink and img burn. Not one problem until now.
I even tried a movie I already backed up with the same media and it stopped and gave me the focus servo error, so Im sure its the drive.

What to replace it with? Whats good and what can I put in this sony laptop.

Thanks in Advance everyone!

 

visionthg,
As always LOCOENG has given you sound advice but if you still want to replace the DVDRW drive in your lappy here's a couple of links to follow.

zipzoomfly

newegg

MAKE sure you get a DVD+-RW drive and not a combo drive as the combo will NOT burn DVD's.

I would stick with the Lite-on, Samsung, or Sony for slimline dvd burners. You should be able to set the booktype to whatever you prefer. If you burn with IMGBURN I"m sure of it. btw the Sony will more than likely be a Lite-on or NEC rebadged anyway.

...gm

 

Hey Guys,
Thankyou very much for the suggestions.

LOCOENG: I would definately consider an external drive, but, I want the internal to be there incase I dont have my external with me. I just want an internal drive to work and burn if needed. I hope its not too hard to put in as you mentioned. Im very mechanically inclined, so I am assuming, putting it in wont make me mental....I hope. Wondering if I can find something on the web that shows removal and install. Thankyou.

Greenman,
I did follow the link you put from Newegg and the page you posted brought me to my choices, so I assume these are the ones I can choose from that I can replace this sony/ matshita UJ-810 drive with(DVD-RW).
Ive also written Newegg to make sure one of these is compatible with this sony laptop.


I will purchase one of these and hope for the best. My only other question might be is:

Does/Will it come with software I must use to load this drive with? Im assuming it will and I will have to. Also read, that its set to master. Some people have had problems with that under the Sony NEC Optiarc 8x DVD-RW model 5540-A, OEM.

So, Im reading on them as there are 5 choices listed.Thankyou for that link. Helped alot. Sony wants 295.00 for the replacement. LOL.

I will post results or problems putting it in when completed.

Thanks for any more suggestions!
Appreciate you guys!

 

I think thats the problem Im having now is finding out what drive will fit and work with this sony.

I emailed newegg and they sent an email saying I would have to check with the manufactuer to see what is compatible and fits.

I dont think sony knows or would even care to answer this as the only response I got from sony was to buy the replacement for 295.00.

Hmmm....any suggestions as to find out if my chasis will accomodate the new drive, please advise.

Thankyou.

 

I did some searching. More than I want to admit and couldn't find anything that indicated what drive would fit in your lappy. I did find some replacements on eBay for about $100. Same drive and all.

I don't know much about what drives fit in what laptop BUT I think you could get one from Newegg or ZZF and if it didn't fit then send it back. I'm sure that you searched high and low too but if you want to replace your DVDRW drive that is the only solution that I see.

lite-on from ZZF $58.99

samsung from Newegg $59.98 delivered

hth........

....gm

add: I found a page that indicated someone replaced their Matshita UJ with a NEC ND-6500. Maybe that can help in some way.

 

Greensman,

Thankyou soo much for checking on that for me. I did the same and could not find anything that would indicate it should or could fit in my laptop.

I did go to ebay and found a UJ-850 drive and the website indicates it replaces the UJ-810 and several others, so I might just have to go with ebay and the certainty that I will get a drive that works and will install and replace the old dvd-rw drive I have in there. 89.00 plus shipping. I wrote the ebayer to be sure before ordering.

I tell ya, after all this, im gonna buy an external just to relieve the frustration of having to deal with this ever again.

I found other drives with features such as light scribe and dual layer.

Thankyou guys again and i'll keep this thread posted as to the outcome. Im just soo suprised that finding the correct drive for a laptop is soo difficult. I had no idea. I thought auto parts were a pain...lol

=)

 

I agree with LOCO on the Matshita! They are crap!!! I just gave you links for after market replacement drives that you would be able to book-type and were known GOOD drives, even as a slim-line. You know for something in the lappy in case you traveled with it.

As far as externals there are many choices but for compatibility I would look at Lite-on's, they have many easy features and "un-onfficial" f/w that "makes" a better drive IMHO.

....gm

 

Hey guys,
Thanks for the honest input.

Ok, Ok, you are both right. Im just gonna go with an external burner and forget about this internal one in the laptop. I just wanted something internal and working incase I didnt have the external handy, but screw it. I'll just leave it alone. It still plays, so good enough.

So, now you guys got me going. Im looking into those brands you guys mentioned locally. Im thinking, I should go dual layer and all. Why not spend a little extra and get that, right?

I wanted to ask, what you guys think about the lite scribe feature. Is that something worth getting? Im thinking the media must be a little costly but it makes nice pictures on the disk..lol.

Okay, I found a pioneer at bestbuy for 104.00 but still looking. Let you guys know what I get as the average is 99.00 for one. Man, they are cheap now. Its been a long time since Ive priced them. Many to choose from too. But I will stick with the brands loco mentioned.
I remember when Plextor was the one to get. NO more?

Thanks again guys!

 

Hey Guys,
Ok, Ive narrowed it down to these, so let see which you would go with.

Pioneer 18x DL external..DVR-X122S6...$104.99...store: best buy

Samsung 20x DL external..SE-0S204N/AMBN...$119.99..store: best buy

I looked at the Lite-On but neither claimed to be dual layer burners.
Lite-On SHW-160P6SU EZ DUB. $58.99...store: newegg.

Lite-On SSW-8015SX..$74.99...store: zipzoomfly


So,
Thats what Ive found in externals.

So, please give me your opinion on what to get. I thought of the first two since they are local and I can pick them up and return if theres a prob.

Also, the Pioneer comes with Nero 7.5 essential soft ware.
The samsung didnt mention any.

I dont know if this matters as I use dvd dycrpt and dvdshrink and IMG burn, so I dont think I would need nero?

Ok, I'll await your opinion and then go get it. I guess Im leaning towards the Pioneer or Samsung.

Heres the link comparing the two:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...77717702793*1176506511289*1179876288213&h=488

Okay, I did my homework. What do ya thinK?

Thanks again guys!!!!

 

Good call LOCO. YOu can pick up an internal for under $40 and the enclosure for the same or less money. You could have a custom external for about $80 compared to $100 plus. ;D

....gm

edit: page at newegg with external enclosures....you can get one for less than $40 delivered. Couple that with one of your favorite internal optical drives and you can have your very own external optical drives for less than $70....What a deal I'm saying....

 

Hey guys,

Yes, I thought of an internal with a external closure, but this will be plugging into my laptop with USB ports, so thats why I didnt consider it. I assumed the internals are all IDE or Sata. If Im wrong, then I'll look that way as well. Sounds like the internals are what most are using anyways and its sounds like some are fantastic.

So Loco, you said you would pick the pioneer between the two externals. OK, Im gonna take a hard look at that one.

I'll wait on word for the internals.

Thanks guys!

 

visionthg,
The external enclosure gives you the "ability" to utilize a firewire or USB connection. The enclosures come in both SATA and IDE for the ODD.

What are you gonna be using the drive mainly for?? DVD or CD? IF it's CD then the Pioneer might not be my first choice. I would go with a LiteOn, Sony Optiarc/NEC, or Samsung if that's the case.

LG builds a great drive as well. For burning that is, they WILL NOT do Nero scans.

Remember there is PROS and CONS to every drive out there. I still think the best all around choice for an internal is the LiteOn LH-20A1P (no lightscribe) or the LH-20A1H (lightscribe), of course coupled with an enclosure for you.

I don't want to confuse you at this point but there are plenty of good drives available and I can comment on almost every one out right now. LOL. I have 10 atm. hehehe. Yep, I'm a ODD drive WH@RE....

....gm

 

Hey Guys,
Ok, back for another round as I want to order asap.

Ok,
Greensman,
I mainly want to use it for backing up My DVD movies, so mainly DVD use.

the LH-20A1H (lightscribe), of course coupled with an enclosure for you.

I looked at that one as you guys recommended and looks like a winner to me and at $37.99 on ZZF, its great.

Sooo,
Now tell me what enclosure to get for it that would work, fit etc. etc. I looked at the Belkin and it looks nice but Im not sure if the dimensions will house this drive. Another thing is it cost more than the DVD drive itself >=/ so that kinda suxs. Nice casing though. Doesnt come with the cable either >=/

So, at this point, the Lite-On DVD drive and a Belkin external enclosure? Quite a few other enclosers out there, but you let me know which one to get guys. Then its time to order! =)

Anything else, feel free to advise.
Thanks again guys!!

 

Same thing but in silver.......link to the EGG

Either are good but you may want the silver instead of black.

...gm