FAQs

All Sony Optiarc CD/DVD/Blu-ray drives are ATAPI-devices. There is no need for special drivers when using operating systems like Linux, MacOS or Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP/Vista/Win 7. The devices will be handled by the embedded drivers from the operatingsystem.

DVD-RAM works at least with Nero InCD version 4.3.20.1. Under Windows XP, DVD-RAM media can also be written without any driver and writing software. In this case, please follow instructions on Microsoft knowledge database www.microsoft.com [article 283588 and 826510]

You also need software to view DVD movies or write data. Only Retail drives are sold with accessories and playback/writing sofware. For other drives, you will have to purchase the software seperately. Our devices were tested successfully with following ones:

 -          Power DVD          (http://www.gocyberlink.com)

-          Win DVD              (http://www.intervideo.com)

-          Cineplayer           (http://www.cineplayer.com)

-          Nero ShowTime   (http://www.nero.com)

Please note: In most cases it is not enough to use only windows media player or some kind of freeware player, because they do not include the necessary media codecs.

This error can be caused by some poor quality media. Try to burn them alternatively with lower speeds or switch to our recommend media.

You can get a list of recommended media from our download section. 
If they also fail then the drive may be defective. Please contact your dealer for warranty claims.

Optiarc DVD writer AD-series support CD-TEXT. CD-Text can be written by special software in raw mode. Please consult software manufacturer for details on writing data in raw mode.

Our writers refer to a list of pre-tested media. If inserted media doesn’t match any item on the table, the writer switches to a lower speed. In doing so some media may not be recognized. There is no way to circumvent this test.
This is because our writers are designed to achieve the highest possible quality for the respective media. This means that it is possible that various types of media cannot be written at the certified speed and some of them will not be recognized.
To maintain the highest speed and security, use only recommended media . You will find a list of them in our download section.

Our Optical drive writers are designed to produce the best possible writing results. This means that Optiarc CD/DVD writers adhere exactly to any blank CD specifications and test the media use. 80 minute blank CDs stretch the specifications to their limit and are still acceptable. 90 or 99 minute CDs do not adhere to the specifications and are therefore not supported.

This also applies to the over writing function. There is no firmware available to change this.

The reading speed of optical drives is determined by various factors. Benchmark programs do not always supply the values specified by their manufacturers. This is caused by a number of factors such as PC configuration (CPU, RAM, operating system, benchmark program) and also depends on the media that were used for the test. Manufacturers always specify maximum values

You can only write media with 4x / 8x speed that are marked as 4x / 8x media. On all other media types you can only write with lower speeds. Please use media recommended by Sony Optiarc for optimal performance.

You can get a list of recommend media for your drive from our download page.
 
Additional information for DVD/CD media:
DVD/CD writers refer to a list of pre-tested media. If inserted media doesn’t match any item on the table, the DVD writer switches to a slower speed.There is no way to circumvent this test. This effect can also be observed by starting up the computer without a blank medium in the writer. When you launch the writing program, the drive is detected correctly. When you insert a blank CD/DVC and it fails the test, the writer switches back. You can as well observe this in the writing program. Our writers are designed to achieve the highest possible quality for the respective media. This means that it is possible that various types of media cannot be written at the certified speed but the resulting CD/DVD can be read on all drives.To maintain the highest speed and security, use only media recommended by Sony Optiarc. You will find a list of recommended media in our download section.

First of all uninstall all your burning softwares and clean up old registry entries.
Now reinstall actual mainboard drivers (Busmaster- & Chipset driver). Pls. contact the manufacturer of your mainboard or pc package to get newest one(s). Note: If you have problems with NFORCE Chipset drivers, you should  reinstall Microsofts standard IDE drivers from Windows XP & 2000 CD.

If maximum burn speed cannot be reached ( with our recommend media) you have to check if the system`s DMA mode is activated. Pls. goto (only possible under Windows XP & 2000) menu "start">"settings">"control panel">"system" "hardware">"device manager" to "IDE ATA/ ATAPI controllers", there you can switch under "properties - advanced settings" of "primary" and "secondary IDE Channel" from PIO to DMA mode.

More than one installed burning softwares can cause problems, because some softwarees replace the ASPI driver with their own. These may be incompatible to others. Known errors may be:
correctly written CD/DvD is shown as blank
or system freezes and bluescreens during burn prozedure. It is recommend to install only one burn software for testing. You can use actual trial release of NERO ( http://www.nero.com ) and check your burn project again. Note: Nero offers his ASPI driver on its homepage under "utilities".

Use our recommended media. There is no guarantee that other media will  be written correctly and with maximum speed. You can get a list of recommend media for your drive from our download section. Also note that  some dvd media(also those on the media list)  may be faulty due to irregularities in the production chain and/or storage.

For Problems in conjunction with InCD, pls. contact  Nero's customer service. Be informed, that Mt.Rainier (e.g. directCD) is not supported by our DvD burners.

If there are still problems You can deactivate (only with Windows XP) "IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service", go to menu "start" > "settings" > "administration" > "services", search "IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service", rightclick and deactivate "starttyp".

Also note that firmware updates  will not solve problems in conjunction with some burning  softwares. You would have to contact the software manufacturers for solutions to such problems. A firmwareupdates usually adds new media information or improves the writing strategy of specific drives.

Verify the drive’s jumper settings:
If drive is the only device connected to the interface cable,
connect it to the alternate interface cable connector.

Make sure the drive is securely mounted to the computer’s chassis. Excessive vibration can be caused by loose or uneven mounting.

Make sure the power cable is securely connected to the drive.
Verify the computer is powered-up and running.

Verify the interface cable is attached correctly.
Verify the drive’s jumper settings.
If your system uses CABLE SELECT, verify the jumper settings are set to CSEL.
If your system is MASTER/SLAVE, verify that there is no other device connected to the same cable using the
same setting.
If you your drive has S-ATA interface, connect the drive to another S-ATA port on your main board. Consult you board's manual. Some motherboard manufacturers have special ports for optical drives

Our slimline optical drives have standard dimensions(12.7mm high  or  9.5mm SuperSlim) and are compatible with most modern notebooks. However we recommend that you  consult your notebook's manual for the right height and  instructions on how to replace optical drives. In some cases you may need to change the bezel(front cover) or fit the drive in an extra enclosure before mounting it. Also compare the interface connector.
Our  P-ATA drives carry the standard 50 pin(2x25) unsealed plug(equivalent to JAE KX15-50KLDL).
S-ATA drives have a standard 7-pin shrouded, keyed, male connector for Serial ATA signal.
For details please please follow this link.:
http://www.sony-optiarc.eu/productrepository/notebookcompatibility.html