HALP: I/O read error trying to read dual layer dvd's

[Lady Spank]

I suspect the solution is 'buy a new dvd burner' but if anyone knows of any stupid firmware issues that make dvd burners spazz out that I can fix without needing to replace the drive i would appreciate it.

Uh, the pc I'm trying to fix is running XP pro. The drive is a 'SONY DVD RW AW-G170A'

I have tried:

Updating firmware (it wont let me)

Reinstalling the drive and also all ide drivers via the device manager

Clearing registry (but there's some hopelessly vague Microsoft 'fix' regarding deleting high and low ... somethings (sorry for being vague).

... blowing dust out of the drive with a dust blower


I probably need to replace the drive which is cool but if anyone knows an obvious fix that im not discovering via google then thanks a million. I'm not expecting others to do my research for me but I know some of you are way more tech savvy than I am and might just know what the problem is.

[cullnean]

we need a tech thread/subforum........

[Lady Spank]

fucking subforums. I checked the main forum list

[Lady Spank]

Oh god, rechecked and i am clearly beyond help /o\

[walrus]

You have 1193 posts, and didnt know about the subforum?

[Lady Spank]

I p much only post about eve unless i am making drunken declarations about people and inadvertently passing out their personal contact information.

[walrus]

I p much only post about eve unless i am making drunken declarations about people and inadvertently passing out their personal contact information.

Sounds reasonable.

[AmaNutin]

Apparently May 5th is a good day to drink tequila and eat burritos.

I stay away from tacos because the fuckers break in half.

[marcus xero]

[Varcaus]

So good

[Aea]

You have over a thousand posts? Who the fuck are you mate?

[cullnean]

same can be said of me tbh

[Liare]

why do you want to troubleshoot a 15€ piece of expendable hardware ?

[Lana Torrin]

I suspect the solution is 'buy a new dvd burner' but if anyone knows of any stupid firmware issues that make dvd burners spazz out that I can fix without needing to replace the drive i would appreciate it.

Uh, the pc I'm trying to fix is running XP pro. The drive is a 'SONY DVD RW AW-G170A'

I have tried:

Updating firmware (it wont let me)

Reinstalling the drive and also all ide drivers via the device manager

Clearing registry (but there's some hopelessly vague Microsoft 'fix' regarding deleting high and low ... somethings (sorry for being vague).

... blowing dust out of the drive with a dust blower


I probably need to replace the drive which is cool but if anyone knows an obvious fix that im not discovering via google then thanks a million. I'm not expecting others to do my research for me but I know some of you are way more tech savvy than I am and might just know what the problem is.

Welcome to the tech forums where I usually dont troll (and also likely the reason you missed it).

More than likely you are out of luck, however, are you able to stick it in another PC and see if it still has the issue? (Obvious eh).

Also RE the firmware update problem, if its a checksum error google says "You can only flash your firmware if the drive is in PIO mode. With UDMA you get that checksum error. Most IDE controllers can be forced to PIO mode using the device manager"

[Lady Spank]

The reason I wanted to fix it rather than get a new one is because I'm a tree hugging cheapskate. Thanks Lana.

Sent from my electric telephone

[Lady Spank]

fixed