Sony Vaio VGN-FZ38M Problems (2nd Hand)

Hello All.

I've temporarly got (before i decide wether to buy it or not) a Sony Vaio VGN-FZ38M laptop 2nd hand off a friend of mine.

The laptop was origionally infected with a trojan which has left the OS for dust. so i cant really get into the actual Vista install (apart from the odd time) without going into Safe-Mode.

Ive noticed some problems...

The BluRay Drive that's in the laptop seems to have a dislike for certain media. so far ive tested a range of media and this is what ive got:

Burnable DVD+R Media (bootable, backed up Vistax64 Installation Disc) Doesnt Read/Boot
Burnable DVD-R Media (OSX Kalyway) Doesnt Boot/Read
Empty DVD+R Media Doesnt Read
Burnable CD-R Media (Acronis True Image) Bootable/Readable
Official (not backed up) XP Home x86 Media Bootable/Readable
Official (not backed up) DVD-Video, Kill Bill Media Readable

So Seemingly the the Drive isnt reading from burnable DVD media, no matter if its empty or contains data.

im thinking that the problem is due to the firmware of the Blu-Ray Drive. which is not playing nice with burnable DVD Media. or the actual Blu-Ray drive has a physical hardware problem.

Is there any steps i could take to get the drive to recognise burnable DVD Media?

Thank you for any help

 

There are some updates for your model on the Sony website.
You could apply those updates and see if you notice any improvement.
http://support.vaio.sony.eu/computing/vaio/downloads/updates/index.aspx?m=VGN-FZ38M&l=en_GB

 

Sounds like what happening with my FZ. Took it to the dealer and after examining they recommended replacement since "it will be getting worse" That time I needed the notebook so decided to postpone the repair but by now it does not read anything any more so I am sending it on Monday.

 

Thank you for the help.

I've been trying to find a cheapish Blu Ray replacement drive for it but im having no such luck

seen as its second hand and the warrenty has run out im guessing sony will want nothing to do with it at all.

Ive also noticed another problem...

when the Vaio boots up you see the vaio screen (the BIOS screen, with the Vaio logo) where you can press ESC to load the bootmenu/setup. When this is on the screen it appears to be corrupt or distorted. there are liens in places there shouldnt be which look alot like artifacts. however, this problem dissapears as soon as Vista has booted.

This problem didnt appear at first when i installed Vista x86 (32bit) on the laptop until the drivers were on.

And another problem...

during the time the Vaio logo is on the screen at boot. the odd time (when the laptop has been left cold for a while) the Hard Drive makes a sort of locking noise, which is repeated. im guessing its the fact that something is wrong with the hard drive that is stopping the read/write heads from swinging infront of the platters. so thats probably on its last legs too...

anyone else having any of these issues?

Thanks for any help

 

Update, (sorry for the double post)

ive decided the laptop problems and costs that it would take to fix the laptop arnt worth it

so the laptops being returned

in the end the problem are:

Dodgy Battery (overused, charge looses in no time at all)
Broken Blu-Ray Drive (Burnable/Burnt DVD Media, unreadable)
Overheating (causing the artifact issues i discussed and the failed boots)

Thanks for your help anyway. this thread can be closed or whatever now