Sony DVD burner won't work with new Dell and Windows Vista?

Question

I just purchased a new Dell Diminsion E521 and I didn't order the DVD burner because I already had a nice Sony DL burner. Get my new computer and I have a problem - the new computer has SATA connections and the burner is ATAPI. No problem, I'll just get one of those IDE to SATA adapters. I plug everything in and fire up the computer and I have one little problem. Not only does the drive not work, but Windows doesn't even see it.

I know the drive works fine because I just used it about a week ago with my XP computer and it worked just fine.

The drive is a Sony DRU-820A which is about a year old. And I did check to verify that the jumper on the drive was set to master.

New computer is a Dell Dimension E521 with Windows Vista Home Premium.

Any thoughts on what I can do short of buying an IDE expansion card or buying a new drive?

the IDE to SATA adapter is a little deal that plugs in to the back of your drive and then lets you plug in the SATA cable from the MB. I've never used one before so I don't even know if they are reliable.

Answer 1

Although I'm not a fan of vista yet, let's back away from software issues until we can have the PC physically see the drive. There may still be compatability problems yet.

I've seen a few different versions of ide to sata converter. First you need to be sure the one you are using is ide to sata, not sata to ide - they seem to look the same but provide completely different functions. Second, if the adaptor has a power jack on it, be sure you connect a working supply cable to that jack, as I believe that is probably powering the electronics on the adaptor. Third, be sure all of your sata cable ends are well seated, and be sure the adaptor is well seated to your drive.

Most of these devices seem to be plug and play for Windows, which means it should see it as a "generic" device. So, after you boot Windows, check your device manager to see if the adaptor shows and if your drive shows. If not, then we need to take a further step back and see if the BIOS is detecting the drive before Windows boots.

I have no experience with these adaptors, but they should be fairly straight forward. I don't know if I can help or not, but
if you want, email me at [e-mail] and perhaps we can work through this problem for you.

Answer 2

Did you plug in a molex connector from your Power Supply and motherboard. And what do you mean IDE to SATA Connector for what the only ones I know of is for your Power Supply you should have an IDE port on your motherboard and then all you will need is an IDE cable which you can probably take from your older computer

Answer 3

put a partition on the hd, then, if they didn't install a xp version, do it. vista has a major problem- the drivers for most pre-vista software does not exist, and may never be written by the manufacturers. you need the drivers updated to the vista os for the older hardware to function. contact the manufacturer for the updated drivers for your drive you want to use. if they don't have them, they can tell you when they will be available.
many hardware manufacturers are updating their drivers for vist since many older pcs and equipment can run vista.
personally, i would have had both xp and vista configured by dell and that solves a lot of software problems such as software that is NOT, and will never be, vista capable. they want you to buy new software just for vista. but many programs are just fine and don't need upgrades for vista, others can't be updated, but have to be re-written entirely.
even some ms software is not vista capable, and they aren't going to make it capable because they want you to buy new software.

Answer 4

intense priced Microsoft not in any respect belive in charity. it truly is the reason bill gates is riches man or woman interior the international. so no you need to now no longer get Vista without paying anyuthing in the adventure that your are intrerested in approved software. yet positive there is frequently a way for any problem. attempt search for on internet rapidshare, torrent ( those are software sharing web pages) there are possibilities you're prepared to land on some solid chum , who ought to help/share the techniques / software you're searching for Bye take care Prashant

Answer 5

This is likely a problem with Vista. I would contact Microsoft to see if they are aware of the problem. If not you may be out of luck.

The number is 1-800-642-7676.