My sony vaio model PCG-K315B will not recognise blank DVDs

[RedCosh]

The disc drive is a Sony DVD RW DW-U56A. when I put in either blank +R, -R,+RW,or _RW disc it doesnt recognise it -it asks me to put in a disc!   I have installed Nero InCd but I assume one of the programmes installed initially from Sony should work. This is a second hand notebook with XP home edition. Any help/advice would be welcome. Thanks

[Blencogo]

Does it recognise CDs or pre-recorded DVDs?

Are there any error messages against the drive in Device Manager?

Does the laser head inside the drive slide for the full length of its travel?  Check the ribbon cable to the head is not catching on the head.

Unfortunately, the most likely cause is a hardware fault.

[RedCosh]

Thanks Blencogo for your reply

Yes the drive seems to work OK with recorded CDs & DVDs.

Device manager says there is no problem.

How do I check the laser head movement -I can't move it by hand.

I'm going out now so I'll not read any more till tomorrow --Thanks

[Blencogo]

As there is no firmware update for your drive and it plays CD & DVD, I think you may need to replace the drive or buy a cheap external USB burner like these:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=dvd+rw+usb&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=6372469446&r...

EDIT: I understand you have sorted the problem with TDK Discs.  Well Done!!

Message was edited by: Blencogo