I purchased a Sony DVD rewritable drive, model DRU-120A (a DVD+R/+RW CD-RW combo drive). When I used the drive to burn data files on a rewritable disc, the files were readable only on my Sony DVD burner, not on the generic DVD-ROM drive on my PC. Sony tech support said the problem has to do with the +RW media and said to try another manufacturer. I tried media from HP and Memorex, but had the same problem. Sony tech support also suggested that I use only +R discs, not +RW. Are +RW discs only playable in the burner that they were recorded on? What good is a +RW disc for storing data if you can't access it on another computer? And what happens if the original burner dies?
Mark Tamayose, Yuma, Arizona
On Your Side responds: Robert DeMoulin, marketing manager of Sony Electronics' storage division, says that Tamayose's DVD-ROM drive may have older firmware that won't let it read +RW discs. Sony ultimately offered Tamayose one of three options: a new DVD-ROM drive certain to be compatible with +RW media; a new DVD rewritable drive; or a full refund for his unit. Tamayose returned his DRU-120A drive to Sony for a full refund.
If you run into similar drive problems, a firmware update at the drive manufacturer's Web site may help. Sony also recommends that you use DVD+R media when sending discs to others. These discs cost less than +RW discs, and they generally have better compatibility, too.
Grace Aquino is senior associate editor for PC World. E-mail her at onyourside@pcworld.com. Click here for more On Your Side columns.Would you recommend this story? YES NO
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