FAQ
DVD/CD drives
Sony Optiarc makes no warranties or representations as to this documents accuracy and Sony Optiarc specifically disclaims any liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content. The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
Burned DvD+R/-R, +RW/-RW, +R9/-R9 media only readable on burner itself
Please note to the following:
Wrong media / writing software:
Please use preferably our recommended media. We cannot guarantee that other media will be written correctly. You can get a list of recommend media from our download page.
Chipset/ Bus Controller (IDE driver):
You should always install actual Chipset/ Busmaster driver for your mainboard, in some cases simply remove and reinstall your IDE drivers.
Drive or player does not support +R/-R +RW/-RW and +R9/-R9 media:
Please verify with the manufacturer of your PC-drive or standalone player (request specifications from manufacturer).
Wrong UDF format:
UDF formats above 1.02 are not compatible! (Please verify with your writing software). Also unfinished and multi session written media will not be accepted by standalone players.
Wrong filenames and sizes:
Usually only filenames with 8 letters will be accepted. In some cases file sizes bigger than 1GB will not be accepted and "Video_TS" folder must be physically installed first.
Wrong sequences:
Standalone player usually read
1. List of contents (refer to IFO-files)
2. Backup data
3. Video file
Please also pay attention to upper-/ lowercase for the "VTS_01_2.VOB" files!
Wrong media / writing software:
Please use preferably our recommended media. We cannot guarantee that other media will be written correctly. You can get a list of recommend media from our download page.
Chipset/ Bus Controller (IDE driver):
You should always install actual Chipset/ Busmaster driver for your mainboard, in some cases simply remove and reinstall your IDE drivers.
Drive or player does not support +R/-R +RW/-RW and +R9/-R9 media:
Please verify with the manufacturer of your PC-drive or standalone player (request specifications from manufacturer).
Wrong UDF format:
UDF formats above 1.02 are not compatible! (Please verify with your writing software). Also unfinished and multi session written media will not be accepted by standalone players.
Wrong filenames and sizes:
Usually only filenames with 8 letters will be accepted. In some cases file sizes bigger than 1GB will not be accepted and "Video_TS" folder must be physically installed first.
Wrong sequences:
Standalone player usually read
1. List of contents (refer to IFO-files)
2. Backup data
3. Video file
Please also pay attention to upper-/ lowercase for the "VTS_01_2.VOB" files!
I cannot playback the video that was recorded
Except for DVD+RW, all media must be finalized before it can be played. It can also be caused by the brand of media. Change media brand that will be compatible to your set player or consult the media compatibility list on our support page.
Is there a bit-setting tool available to change Book type media to DVD-ROM?
The DVD writers we sell in Europe do not need a bit setting tool because they are already set to the most compatible condition. But in some cases it is not compatible to older hardware equipments or standalone DVD players.
All DVD AD series drives have the following book types : (DVD-R = -R; DVD+R = +R; DVD-RW = -RW und DVD+RW = +RW)
There is no tool from Sony Optiarc available to change this setting
Exception: (only) DVD*R9 DL media can be set to DVD-ROM. However, your writing software must support this feature.
All DVD AD series drives have the following book types : (DVD-R = -R; DVD+R = +R; DVD-RW = -RW und DVD+RW = +RW)
There is no tool from Sony Optiarc available to change this setting
Exception: (only) DVD*R9 DL media can be set to DVD-ROM. However, your writing software must support this feature.
My drive was won't burn to DVD's.... The drive does work with CDR/RW media.
Restoring your system to the last know good configuration in Windows 2000 and XP should fix the issue. Below are instructions how to do this.
Windows 2000 Last Known Good Configuration Instructions
1. Click Start, and then click Shut Down.
2. Click Restart, and then click OK.
3. When you see the message Please select the operating system to start, press F8.
4. Use the arrow keys to highlight Last Known Good Configuration, and then press ENTER. NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will function.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight an operating system, and then press ENTER.
***Note
Choosing Last Known Good Configuration provides a way to recover from problems such as a newly added driver that may be incorrect for your hardware. It does not solve problems caused by corrupted or missing drivers or files. When you choose Last Known Good Configuration, Windows 2000 restores information in registry key HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet only. Any changes you have made in other registry keys remain.
Windows XP Last Known Good Configuration Instructions
If Windows does not start, restart Windows by using the Last Known Good Configuration feature:
1. Start the computer and then press the F8 key when Windows begins to start. The Windows Advanced Options menu appears.
2. Use the ARROW keys to select Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked), and then press ENTER.
3. If a boot menu appears, use the ARROW keys to select Microsoft Windows XP, and then press ENTER. Windows XP restores the computer to the most recent restore point.
If Windows XP Does Start
1. Log on to Windows as Administrator.
2. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore. System Restore starts.
3. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Restore my computer to an earlier time (if it is not already selected), and then click Next.
4. On the Select a Restore Point page, click the most recent system checkpoint in the On this list, click a restore point list, and then click Next. A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
5. On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click Next. System Restore restores the previous Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
6. Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Restoration Complete page appears.
7. Click OK.
Troubleshooting
You may inadvertently restore Windows XP to a previous configuration that you do not want. To undo the restoration:
1. Log on to Windows as Administrator.
2. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore. System Restore starts.
3. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Undo my last restoration, and then click Next. A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
4. On the Confirm Restoration Undo page, click Next. System Restore restores the original Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
5. Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Undo Complete page appears.
6. Click OK.
Windows 2000 Last Known Good Configuration Instructions
1. Click Start, and then click Shut Down.
2. Click Restart, and then click OK.
3. When you see the message Please select the operating system to start, press F8.
4. Use the arrow keys to highlight Last Known Good Configuration, and then press ENTER. NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will function.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight an operating system, and then press ENTER.
***Note
Choosing Last Known Good Configuration provides a way to recover from problems such as a newly added driver that may be incorrect for your hardware. It does not solve problems caused by corrupted or missing drivers or files. When you choose Last Known Good Configuration, Windows 2000 restores information in registry key HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet only. Any changes you have made in other registry keys remain.
Windows XP Last Known Good Configuration Instructions
If Windows does not start, restart Windows by using the Last Known Good Configuration feature:
1. Start the computer and then press the F8 key when Windows begins to start. The Windows Advanced Options menu appears.
2. Use the ARROW keys to select Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked), and then press ENTER.
3. If a boot menu appears, use the ARROW keys to select Microsoft Windows XP, and then press ENTER. Windows XP restores the computer to the most recent restore point.
If Windows XP Does Start
1. Log on to Windows as Administrator.
2. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore. System Restore starts.
3. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Restore my computer to an earlier time (if it is not already selected), and then click Next.
4. On the Select a Restore Point page, click the most recent system checkpoint in the On this list, click a restore point list, and then click Next. A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
5. On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click Next. System Restore restores the previous Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
6. Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Restoration Complete page appears.
7. Click OK.
Troubleshooting
You may inadvertently restore Windows XP to a previous configuration that you do not want. To undo the restoration:
1. Log on to Windows as Administrator.
2. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore. System Restore starts.
3. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Undo my last restoration, and then click Next. A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
4. On the Confirm Restoration Undo page, click Next. System Restore restores the original Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
5. Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Undo Complete page appears.
6. Click OK.
If I try to play a game, I get an error indicating my optical drive is not detected.
Disable your native Windows XP burning software. Also go to Device Manager, under the IDE ATA/ATAPI Controller, change the IDE controller to a Standard Dual Channel controller.
Go to:
1. Right Click My Computer
2. Choose Properties
3. Choose Hardware
4. Choose Device Manager
5. Click the + in front of IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers
6. Double Click the Intel IDE Controller
7. Click on the Driver Tab
8. Choose Update Driver
9. Choose Display a List..
10. Choose Next
11. Choose the Standard IDE Controller
12. Click Next
Make sure you reboot the system so the changes take affect
Some writing softwares don’t burn or produce error messages.
Our DVD writers AD-series and ND-series do not support "Mt.Rainier" function on the hardware side, only “InCD” from Nero for CD-RW and DVD+/-RW media is supported.
If you have writing problems with a special application, please verify with their manufacturer, if “Mt. Reinier” is needed.
We apologize but there is no solution to this problem available at the moment.
If you have writing problems with a special application, please verify with their manufacturer, if “Mt. Reinier” is needed.
We apologize but there is no solution to this problem available at the moment.
Which regional code does my DVD drive support and is there a way to reset them?
The following regional codes are regulated:
1: North America
2: Japan, Europe, Middle East, South Africa
3: South East Asia including Hong Kong
4: Australia, New Zealand, Central and South America
5: North West Asia, North Africa
6: China
Regional codes are officially stipulated and valid internationally. This is why every DVD video film contains the code for the region it was manufactured for. When a film is inserted into a DVD drive, the drive reads the code to determine whether the film was actually manufactured for the region where the film is about to be played.
If the regional code and the film are not the same, the drive changes its code – but only up to five times. The fifth change determines the final setting of the DVD-ROM drive with regard to regional codes. After this code has been set, the drive can only read DVD video films with the same code as the drive.
This process is stipulated by RPC-2 (http://www.dvdcca.org/ ).
DVD drives without regional code detection or drivers with software or firmware that resets this code are not available from Sony Optiarc
.
1: North America
2: Japan, Europe, Middle East, South Africa
3: South East Asia including Hong Kong
4: Australia, New Zealand, Central and South America
5: North West Asia, North Africa
6: China
Regional codes are officially stipulated and valid internationally. This is why every DVD video film contains the code for the region it was manufactured for. When a film is inserted into a DVD drive, the drive reads the code to determine whether the film was actually manufactured for the region where the film is about to be played.
If the regional code and the film are not the same, the drive changes its code – but only up to five times. The fifth change determines the final setting of the DVD-ROM drive with regard to regional codes. After this code has been set, the drive can only read DVD video films with the same code as the drive.
This process is stipulated by RPC-2 (http://www.dvdcca.org/ ).
DVD drives without regional code detection or drivers with software or firmware that resets this code are not available from Sony Optiarc
.
WinXP reports "New Hardware AD-754xA Found" and want to install actual drivers.
Please try the following steps:
You need to switch to your “DRIVERS” folder.
Then change or delete the folder “MONITOR”.
Switch to “C: WINDOWS”.
Ensure that you have windows explorer setting options activated to see all data (also hidden and system files)
Switch to “C: WINDOWSINF”
Look for the “INFCACHE.1” file and delete it.
Switch to your desktop trash can and empty it.
If the problem cannot be solved, please contact the manufacturer of your notebook.
