Pioneer DVD Burner Problem

did you add dvd viewing software ?
did you remove the sony drivers and then get machine to look for dvd drive ?
did you get bios to check for new hardware ?

I had an old DVD reader which after about five years stopped reading DVDs (but still read CDs OK). I put it down to either ageing or failure of the laser diode that reads DVDs. New DVD-writers cost <£30 now, so I didn't lose any sleep over it.

Gary
In the Bios (Standard CMOS Features) correctly displays this DVD drive.
32 bit transfer mode is Off.
Type showa Auto. Where would I find the Sony drivers?
Mooblie
This drive has had minimal use. I want to make sure of the cause before buying another

Just Learnt. These drives have a dual laser system. One for CD read/write another for DVD read/write.

Will Windows let you explore the DVD disc contents ? (if it's showing the disc name I'd guess it's actually able to read a DVD to some extent).

Have you tried deleting it in Device Manager and rebooting (to let Windows re-detect it) ?

Which version of Windows is installed ?

Tony

Tony
First, thanks for the reply. Operating system XP. Yes, I have deleted from Device Manager and rebooted. Result is the same with both the bought DVD and a home produced disc. These both play in DVD players.
I have bought DVD that I know will play. Put in this drive it will not play. The title is displayed over the drive icon in "My Computer". The drive shows one icon - Video_TS.
Click this brings eleven icons, as follows:-
Video_TS IFO File 12KB
Video_TS BUP File 12KB
Video_TS VOB File 1,414KB
VTS_01_0 BUP File 66KB
VTS_01_1 VOB File 1,048,574KB
VTS_01_3 VOB File 1.048,574KB
VTS_01_5 VOB File 117,112KB
VTS_01_0 IFO File 66KB
VTS_01_0 VOB File 1,956KB
VTS_01_2 VOB File 1,048,574KB
VTS_01_4 VOB File 1.048,574KB
Click on most and message says "Internal Application error occcurred".
The "BUP's"3 display Premiere 6.5 editing that I still have on the timeline.
IFO goes to Acrobat Reader and says - either corrupted or not supported.

It looks like a problem with your viewing software. Are you using nero or ??? since you can see the contents of the drive in windows explorer, it looks like the player has a problem

Sharyn

I'd agree with Sharyn - try re-installing PowerDVD/WinDVD/Nero Showtime etc

Windows XP can't play DVD-Video discs 'out of the box', it needs 3rd party player software installed.

Tony

Thanks Sharyn & Tony. Did not realise a DVD program was wanted. MSIDVD displayed all DVD's OK.
I tried installing Nero 7 Premium for alternative. The first picture of Nero installation is displayed. Click "Nero 7 Premium" tab, "Preparing to install" Box on screen.
Now a message "Windows Installer Service could not be accessed." (I'm not using safe mode so the rest does not apply).
Microsoft web page now, Method 4 selected for Windows installer Service. Operating system is XP
Advice was followed, - Start Run - Type Regedt32. (a) Select "Hive" (what is that?)
I selected first item on the list.
Go to Edit menu - Click Permissions. At "System Account" choose 'Full control '.
Any advice to cure this problem please.

Which MS support web page are you looking at - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315346 - only lists two methods ?

Is XP up-to-date with service packs etc (in case Nero is expecting a more recent version of Windows Installer) ?

Tony

(As far as I know, Hive = registry, basically. 'Regedt32' allows loading/editing of registry 'hives' on remote PC's as well as the local PC)

Tony
I have gone to the url and followed Method two to reinstall Windows Installer:-
Start - Run - Type cmd - OK now gets the black DOS screen.
At command prompt type attrib-r-s-h drive\%Windir%\system32\dllcache - Enter.
Message then: attrib-r-s-h is not recognised as an internal or external command operable program or batch file. The next line appearing is C:\Documents and settings.......
The message then; "The syntax of command is incorrect".
I do not know where to go from here.
Yes - I have SP2. The Microsoft updates are set to automatically install.
This computer is only occassionally connected to the net. It's main purpose is for editing with Premiere 6.5 with DV500DVD.
Method One looks a bit dicy. Possibly all could be lost.
Thanks for trying Tony.

attrib-r-s-h drive\%Windir%\system32\dllcache

should be

attrib -r -s -h %Windir%\system32\dllcache

Thanks Tony and Gary,
I have entered the first line with a spaces as below.
Attrib -r-s-h E:\%Windir%\system32\dllcache then hit enter (Space after attrib and after h)
Comment then was" invalid switch - -r-s-h"
At Run, Type cmd and press OK. The line on the DOS screen starts with E:\
The drive is partitioned - 10GB for C:\ and 30GB for E:\. Two operating systems are installed, 98SE (FAT32) and XP (NTFS). Both have a Windows folder.

should be

attrib -r -s -h %Windir%\system32\dllcache

no need for drive letter

Typed attrib -r -s -h %windir%\system32\dllcache
Got to the next line without comment.
Next line was (again) E:\Documents and settings\LES WINN>
Typed ; ren msi.dll msi.old Enter Then
ren msiexec.exe msiexec.old Enter Then
ren msihnd.dll msihnd.old Enter
A Message: "The system cannot find the file specified".

There is a downloadable Redistributable Windows Installer 3.1 version 2 on a M.S. web page. (893803). It has three download options. Is this suitable to download, transfer to floppy or CD, and install to cure the problem? I am unsure if OK for XP.
It is also stated that Windows Installer is on the CD's of XP and SP2. So far I have been unable to locate. Any ideas please?

What the fix is doing is removing the working installer files (by renaming them), so that when you reboot windows finds them missing and replaces them with good copies from the dllcache (which is normally a hidden folder holding backup copies of critical system files).

After the reboot has the problem been fixed ?

The installer download ( WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86.exe ) looks OK for XP - whether it will cure the problem is another matter, but it's unlikely to do any harm.

Tony

Tony
Thanks for the explanation for what happens.
No, a reboot made no difference.
I got as far as the last line - then that failed.
The download acted in the same way as Nero; it wanted Windows Installer Service.
I think W.I.S. is on the SP2 CD so I tried that - with the same result, no W.I.S.

try cd %windir%\system32\dllcache at dos prompt

that will then put you in the right directory to edit the files you need

Gary
OK did as you instructed.
Typed CD %Windir%\system32\dllcache and press Enter
Got : E:\Windows\system32\dllcache>
I then typed ren msi.dll msi.old press enter
Message: The system cannot find the file specified
How to proceed now please?

i don't have msi.dll in my dllcache either

Sorry Gary. I am not as skilled or computer literate as you - so what do I have to type - PLEASE?

sorry , i was meaning that you can't rename a file that doesn't exist.
if there are others that need renamed do each one , don't worry if it says the file isn't there , thats what the renaming is doing.

when you get to end of the renaming , continue with next command in the instructions

Gary
I am sorry too.
I have followed the instructions with typing (taken from the M.S. web pages) coupled with advice given here. I fail to see just how to proceed now.
It appears that I will have to re-install windows - after saving what I can.
This way, maybe, all will then work correctly.
Many thanks for all the help I have had from you and Tony.

Have you tried to connect to MICROSOFT's update? you probably have a WINDOWS UPDATE in your startup menue. I believe that this also uses this updater, and if it does not find it it will download it for you. You have not had any problem with your install passing the genuine software test or validation?
Sharyn

Sharyn
There may be a problem with validation BUT I did get a number to type so it's genuine software. That happened with DirectX - not W.I.S.
I have managed to - at last - get Windows Installer Service, - as follows:-
Start - Run - Type 'cmd' - OK At DOS prompt: "msiexec.exe/unregister" Enter. Then "msiexec/reregister" Enter Next checked' Permissions'. Back to DOS screen and typed 'exit'. Then installed Nero 7 Premium - that was very slow between screens.
Tried a DVD with MSIDVD (Came with MSI Motherboard) Played OK.
With Nero it said it requires Direct X9 (have 8.1) so video would not play.
The validation failure occurred with directX download. Put DX9 on a floppy but could only get just past the EULA when to installing. - showed the "horizontal thermometer" and VERY quickly said - ready to use - displaying 'Finish' on the buttton.
Now go to Run, Type 'DXDIAG' and the DirectX8.1 is still there - NOT the DirectX 9c.
A reboot same result

most of the cd's that came with the graphics cards now have directx9 on them you might look around.

An interesting aside is that with automatic updates, microsoft does not check license, only when you manually initiate update

Sharyn

I am set for automatic updates. The computer having the trouble is kept for editing only.
I do not really want internet to interfere with editing.
The computer I am using now is the only one that I really want on the internet. No editing.
Alkthough DirectX9 appears to download it doesn't seem to.
When I go to Run - DXDIAG the resulting screen is always DirectX 8.1.
A reboot makes no difference.
I will try your suggestion Sharyn and edit this if successful. Many thanks.

You put the DirectX download on a floppy, Les? It is around 34MB in size!

I can mail you a known good copy of the latest version, if it is any help.

Alan
That would be music to my ears! I have spent days getting Windows Installer service to work,(to install Nero 7 Premium oem) and now DirectX9c. There are so many DirectX9 on the microsoft web pages that its difficult (for me) to sort the one that is correct. My ISP, NTL, put a drop dpwn notice at the top left of the screen yesterday that " There was a fault with internet - sorry - they were trying to repair!" Just to add to....
Thanks Alan,

Are you using sp1 or sp2? while you certainly can turn off the updating and internet access, having a pc that never connects for updates, makes your updating a lot more complex.

It has SP2 Sharyn.
It has also been updated (set automatic now).
I connected in desparation.
Direct X9 is still a problem - even downloaded. Nero 7 0 Premium demands DX9 to play.

Give me your address in a PM Les, and I will put a CD in the post.

The latest version I have is directX 9c, and it is the "redist" version. this means that it is a standalone installer for the use of IT managers, so it will install on any Windows system.

Thanks Alan. PM 'posted'.

I found a few suggestions

Make sure any anti virus software if turned off
I would also go to lavasoft and download Adaware and run it, it is possible that somehow something go on your system. I would also bring up xp in safe mode, and run adaware.
when you get the cd, I would suggest also installing it in safe mode
SP2 contains directx 9 so That is confusing also
You are checking the version by running dxdiag from the command line? If you are online it will go to the microsoft site.

Another thing that is possible is that if you have auto system restore on , it will possible put back a bad software module, since your system seems to be having problems, it might be worth turing off system restore, doing the updates, and then turning it back on.

THIS ALL IS QUITE MADDENING for you to say the least.

These actions will delete direct x from your system I have not checked them
so I cannot guarantee them.
1. Delete the folder CatRoot2 from C:\Windows\System32 (if Windows XP)
2.The DirectX folder under C:\Windows\System32 (if Windows XP)
3. The {44BBA855-CC51-11CF-AAFA-00AA00B6015C} folder under
C:\WINDOWS\RegisteredPackages (if Windows XP)

Sharyn

Thanks Sharyn - maybe I will try that later but prefer to leave it for now. I am not as knowledgable as you and don't want to cause a further computer problem.
Alan,
Thanks for the CD. Sorry to report no futher progress. Procedure below:-
Named a folder on the operating system drive (E:|) and placed CD in it.
CD in drive and got Icon 'dirx_9c_ redist'
Highlighted - it added Win32 Cabinet Self-extractor M.S.Corp.
A double click - got agreement -Yes -
The box appears headed "DirectX 9.0c Redistributable" Click Browse and double clicked the named Folder. Press OK. Message says "Extractring DXNT CAB" and disappears. Icon is then shown on rthe screen as from the CD.
Went to RUN - Type DXsetup - message - cannot find.
Go to search - All files and folders - DXsetup - nothing found.
Go to E:\ and click folder - Icons - 6 blue two-drawer filing cabinets, Two Icons with double gear wheels.
One Icon of a CRT monitor marked DX setup. Double click this. Install screen appears, says installing. In less than ten seconds - message - Install complete and ready for use. Press finish button. Got to RUN - Type DXDIAG and version 8.1 Direct X screen appears.
What have I done incorrectly please?

Have now got DirectX 9c Installed. Although I had tried to see if was in SP2 had I failed to locate. In deparation - and not really wanting SP2 on an editing computer - I installed. Run - DXDIAG - DirectX 9c! Thanks to all for the advise and help.

Sorry Les,

I should have said - all you had to do was put the CD in the drive, navigate to the folder, and double click on the file icon!

Apologies!

No apology neccessary Alan. The fault is all mine for being so clumsy. Many thanks.