The DVD Drive on my New VPC-Z11DGX-SJ Does NOT Work

Can you believe it? Because I sure can't. The stupid DVD drive can only spin. It can't read DVDs, nor CDs nor (obviously) write to either media. That's a first. And I've bought entry level laptops before (for others ) - but I've NEVER had this problem before. $2,000 sure doesn't buy what it used to.

Windows Explorer can see the drive and it definately has power, but there's some sort of defect that prevents reading or writing (I'm guessing either the optics or the laser emitter). Either way, now I have to wait about a week for someone to show up on site to replace the optical drive.

I can't believe it. My new baby just arrived and already needs an organ transplant fresh out of the womb!!

 

Would you be able to compare the sounds of the optics drive from your old and new Z?
Does it make any rather unusual sounds? I know this is a hard question, especially considering you just got your new baby...

So the sound is more like a 'juttering' when the CD / DVD 'slows' down to eject. It's different to the motor sound, the motor speeding and running. It's as if something is loose in there.

My (old) Z is making that sound now, DVDs and CDs alike. Got a fright when first started while I was installing windows off it... Though not too sure how much longer it will fare for (which is why I'm looking for a BD upgrade).

Would appreciate your reply on this since I too am a worried and slightly disappointed owner of a VAIO.

Anyways, guts that a new Z is doing this... Good luck with your repair.

 

It's hard to tell, because the drive is pretty quiet. One thing I have noticed is a lack of the sound of the optics zipping around (the sort of buzzing whine an optical drive makes as it reads data). But the drive makes different noises depending on what is trying to access it.

I discovered the issue while trying to burn Recovery Media - which, of course didn't work. Then it made a constant (low frequency) spinning noise and I could FEEL it spinning.

In Windows Explorer, however, I can hear the drive spinning up and spinning down repeatedly.

This is precisely why I (usually) try to avoid being one of the "early adopters" in the world of technology.

 

Sorry to read of your disappointing experience. If I were you, I'd be tempted to return and reorder. I doubt it would take (much) longer than a repair, and you'd end up with a brand-new Z. Since you're the first person I've seen complaining of this problem, I expect that it's truly an isolated event and that you'd be unlikely to get a lemon the next time.