Repairing Sony DVD Writer

[joeyroland]

Hey Guys,

I have a question about a drive I got a while back....

In March of 2003, I purchased a then brand-new Sony DRU500 Dual Layer Dvd Writer. The thing worked great -- at first.

Then, just as the Sony warranty passed in March of 2004, the drive went up. Specifically, the unit no longer powers up. After trying different power connnectors and even trying a different computer, even Sony agreed that the unit was defective. However, since the warranty had passed, they would only repair it - for $179! :eek:

Anyway, I have since set my sights on getting another DVD writer. Actually I am quite content with the other one I am eyeing up.

However, since this first unit cost me near $400, I was wondering if there is a way to work on the drive to have it power up again. I have an extra CD-Rom which is verified as working. I don't need/want this CD-Rom anymore. I am curious to know if there's a way I can swap the power parts for these two drives in an effort to get the old DVD writer functioning again.

Any thoughts? Even if this is "advanced", that's alright with me since I have nothing to loose but a working CD-Rom drive.

Thanks all! :D

[Steve R Jones]

Sony Internal 16X DVD+/-RW / Double Layer Drive Black, Model DW-D22A-B2, OEM $64.00

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=27-131-239&DEPA=0

[joeyroland]

Actually, I was going to get this one:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-129-156&depa=1

The only reason I was curious about the repairs is so that I could have another drive to give to my friend. As mentioned, I'm no longer interested in fixing this drive for myself, ya know?

[joeyroland]

Should this thread go in Tech Support? Just curious.:confused:

[Midknyte]

no one repairs components anymore. it's not worth it. just dump it.

[ukulele]

I still try to repair components if it doesn't take too long. I know most of the "techs" here think it's a waste of time, but if your into electronics there is simple things you can do to fix a lot of things. As long as you have the drive out, look for the obvious like burn't parts, cracked boards, loose pinouts at least before throwing it away. Mechanical problems with electronics are easy to fix. I was fixing electronics when I was a teenager and although I never specialized in it, it has proved to be a useful knowledge even on throw away computer parts. If I can fix a drive in an hour or so, that's less time then it takes to research and order a new one. Don't be discouraged by people that don't work on electronics. You will never learn without trying. The really bright guys can and often do fix them.