Sony CDRW drivers

[MA_Moby]

I've lost my drivers and software for my CDRW CRX220A1. Not a probalem until I had to reformat my hard drive and reinstall all my softeware.

I visited the Sony website and could find software updates, but no complete packages.

So I email their techincal support and get this reply:

Dear Valued Sony Customer,
In order to obtain a new disk, you will need to call in to purchase a new one. If the drive is out of the one year of warranty period, the disk will cost $39.90, otherwise, it is a charge of $19.95. Our number is 800-588-3847. We are open 8am to 8pm CST Monday through Saturday.

Please include previous e-mails in any replies so we may better assist you.

Also, you may wish to visit our website at sony.storagesupport.com This
website has manuals and drivers for our products as well as FAQ's.

Thank you,
Erik
Sony Technical Support

naturally I over reacted:

Dear Erik,

Valued Sony Customer? You've got to be kidding right? That is extortionate! Most companies would make the drivers and software that enable their hardware to function available for free download. What utter miserable greedy corporate misers your employers must be. Go quit your job at once and go do some voluntary work 'cause they'll eat your soul at this rate, Erik. I'm serious man - get out.

Or you could redemn yourself by telling me how I might be able to get replacement software without paying money for it?

Thanks,

My question to the forum is, assuming my sarcastic reply to Erik at Sony doesn't get me the software I need, do I have any other options or avenues through which I might be able to obtain it? Or will I have to part with the cash?

[Flibb]

I had a simaler problem with a 17" CRT tilt monitor. It originally came with the software but the cd had been lost, the manufacturer stated on the support site that you had to pay for a replacement

[Flibb]

I did find a set of beta drivers in the end on a p2p network

[Rave]

I wouldn't have thought it'd need drivers? I've never had to install drivers for any optical drive, just burning software. If you don't have a copy of Nero or something lying around I believe SVP sell the basic package for a fiver. In fact you can usually download a pretty full featured demo from Nero themselves- www.ahead.de

Rich :¬)

[MA_Moby]

not drivers as such, but vital software without which it will not burn

Nero and packages like it will try to burn, but will then fail

still no word back from Erik at Sony - maybe he quit his job

[Rave]

This any good?

http://sony.storagesupport.com/cdrw/crx220a1dwn.htm

Edit: I'm not sure it will be- from that site I got "NOTE: Windows operating systems have built in drivers to support your Sony CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-ROM drive as a CD-ROM reader. No additional drivers are normally required once Windows is installed and running."

I'm not sure why your drive isn't working but I don't think it's because there are drivers missing.

Rich :¬)