I purchased one of these in March and it installed well in Vista MediaCenter and found all of the DVDs I had loaded (approx 100).  But, last week, it stsarted not playing a selected DVD.  So, I had to unload them from the changer.  Then, I only got about 50 of them out the normal way and the rest would not eject.  So, I had to take the top off and unload them manually.  When I put it back together, I installed about 20 to test it.  The  DVDs would not scan (neither in DVD Library or in My Movies).  So, I tried to eject them again and they would not eject.  Other than not performing, there was no wierd noise or "crunch" sounds to indicate a mechanical failure. (It does make wierd sounds when rotating the changer but I am used to that!).  Anybody have one of these and can suggest what I need to do next?  Anybody know where to contact Sony for repair?  I can't find any link on their website anywhere.  Thanks!

Ted

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Vista Ult x86 | ASUS M2N-SLI Del | AMD 64 X2 5200+ | 4gb RAM + 4gb RB | MSI 8600GT | 3x HVR1800 | LC13-S | JVC 56" | PD 8.0 | FFDShow | 180.24 | VGP-XL1B | Harmony880 |80,500,750gb | WHS | FIOS

I have the 3 of the same changer and had the same problem.

First thing you need to know.  The changer will not operate correctly with the cover off.  I found this out the hard way.  So don't try ejecting discs or inserting discs with the cover off. 

To fix your problem you need to do the following:

Remove the cover and manually remove all discs.

Uninstall the changer software/drivers

Go into ProgramFiles and find the software directory - the database is still there and if you reinstall it just imports it.  Delete the entire directory

Reinstall the drivers.

Insert your 100 discs and enjoy the 30 minutes it's going to take to reindex them all doing something other than watching TV lol

Whalla you're back in business.

 

OK, I'll try this and let you know. Thanks for the help!

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Vista Ult x86 | ASUS M2N-SLI Del | AMD 64 X2 5200+ | 4gb RAM + 4gb RB | MSI 8600GT | 3x HVR1800 | LC13-S | JVC 56" | PD 8.0 | FFDShow | 180.24 | VGP-XL1B | Harmony880 |80,500,750gb | WHS | FIOS

To fix your problem you need to do the following:

Remove the cover and manually remove all discs.

Did this and retrieved all the discs.  Looked okay inside.

Uninstall the changer software/drivers

Didn't find any software/drivers for changer.  This is Vista Ultimate and I didn't install any when I first did this install.

Go into ProgramFiles and find the software directory - the database is still there and if you reinstall it just imports it.  Delete the entire directory

Deleted the DVDinfoDrive folder under My Movies

Reinstall the drivers.

What drivers?

Insert your 100 discs and enjoy the 30 minutes it's going to take to reindex them all doing something other than watching TV lol

Whalla you're back in business.

Well, no...not exactly.  I inserted one test disc and it kept sayimg it was going to scan it and then it couldn't scan it...over and over again. Finally I just ejected the disc.

I went to the Sonystyle.com site and download three files for the VGP-XLB1 VAIO Disc Changer.  But each one would not install saying it wasn't for this operating system.  I am really stumped now.  When I first installed it in Vista in March, all went well.  What has broken now I wonder?  Help!

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Vista Ult x86 | ASUS M2N-SLI Del | AMD 64 X2 5200+ | 4gb RAM + 4gb RB | MSI 8600GT | 3x HVR1800 | LC13-S | JVC 56" | PD 8.0 | FFDShow | 180.24 | VGP-XL1B | Harmony880 |80,500,750gb | WHS | FIOS

Is it not pulling the disc into the DVD drive to scan it?    I had one get out of alignment once and you could hear it attempt to grab the disc off the carousal (spelling?)  and fail.. Try again.. and again.

 

 

Yes, it pulled it in fine.  And then in several seconds the notices would pop up saying that new discs were detected and do i want to scan it now, etc.  Then the scan box comes up and the last time it stopped at 16%.  This was just one disc.  Then it gave me several boxes saying it could not scan the disc, etc.  And, it ejected okay.

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Vista Ult x86 | ASUS M2N-SLI Del | AMD 64 X2 5200+ | 4gb RAM + 4gb RB | MSI 8600GT | 3x HVR1800 | LC13-S | JVC 56" | PD 8.0 | FFDShow | 180.24 | VGP-XL1B | Harmony880 |80,500,750gb | WHS | FIOS

But I don't mean that it takes the DVD from the front of the changer onto the carousel.  But from the carousel into the dvd drive internally.

Pop off the cover and watch it try to grab the DVD off the carousel and feed it into the dvd player/writer.  Does it try to grab it, miss, attempt to grab it again, miss?

If it makes it all the way into the DVD reader and still gives you that error then I'm of no help and sorry I wasted your time.

But if it fails to ever successfully get the DVD into the reader then I can talk you through that part.

No, it is in the carousel but it doesn't get into the reader.

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Vista Ult x86 | ASUS M2N-SLI Del | AMD 64 X2 5200+ | 4gb RAM + 4gb RB | MSI 8600GT | 3x HVR1800 | LC13-S | JVC 56" | PD 8.0 | FFDShow | 180.24 | VGP-XL1B | Harmony880 |80,500,750gb | WHS | FIOS

TMG01:

No, it is in the carousel but it doesn't get into the reader.

 

So let me just double verify so we're on the same page here.

With the cover off you can see the DVD is in the carousel.  When the PC tries to index that video it basically lines the dvd up, you can see it try to feed the DVD into the reader but it seems to be just an fraction of an inch off.  It then moves the carousel ever so slightly and tries again.. fails.. Does it again.. moves the carousel a fraction of an inch and fails.

I take these instructions from another forum.  They worked great for me and while they sound scary as hell it was actually very easy.

2) Power the unit off, then back on. The carousel will "zero" itself. Look for a black mark that indicates the center point of the first slot. It looks like magic marker or model paint. That mark should line up EXACTLY with the slot. Inevitably, it does not if you are having alignment problems.

3) Look in the upper left corner - you will see the stepping motor shaft (where the belt winds around) and what looks like two plastic standoffs (note these for later). You will also see a single screw with a washer and what looks like a lug above it, almost like an adjustment handle. Use the long phillips head to loosen this screw 1/2 to 1 turn, just enough to move that lug (later on, not now!). Go through the hole in the corner of the metal brace - you will get a straight on shot and get enough torque to loosen that screw (coated with red varnish to stop it from vibrating loose). If you try to loosen the screw going sideways, and that varnish is tough, you will strip the head off of the screw, and be unhappy.

3) Unplug the unit. Gently flip it over, and remove all screws you can see on the bottom (2 on each corner, one in the middle, 6 more to hold various cams / guide rollers straight). Do not remove the feet, no need to.

4) Carefully remove the bottom plate. You will see a couple of logic boards and various other guts. Look for a motor that's about 1.5 - 2 inches across on one of the corners of the unit. That's the stepping motor.

NOTE: Watch out for the power supply on the bottom - it can still be charged. If you happen to graze one of the metal plates with a lightning bolt on it, you will get a nasty shock. Nothing too bad, but those with pacemakers / heart problems, be careful.

5) Note carefully the two screws (covered with red varnish). Those screws go into the plastic standoffs mentioned earlier.

6) Carefully turn the unit on its side with the stepping motor on top, as you are facing it. Adjust the crescent wrench to match the size of the standoff as closely as possible (again, a socket would probably work well here, I was just lazy and did not drag them in the house). With one hand, hold the crescent wrench, with the other, loosen the phillips head screw on the other side (just enough to wiggle the motor). Repeat on the other side.

7) Now that the stepping motor assembly is loosened, you can grab that lug on the top side of the unit I was talking about earlier. Move the lug until that black mark on the carousel lines up EXACTLY with the slot. I actually powered on the unit during this phase, hit the load button, and made sure the disc went in easily, and did not bind or hit the ridge between slots on the carousel. Again, be careful, the power supply is live and not shielded, don't get a shock.

8) Once you find that magic spot, tighten down the screw on the top side of the stepping motor (where the driveshaft / belt is located). That will hold things in place for the next step.

9) You have now loosened the belt assembly, there is probably some slack in it. Your goal now is to pull the stepping motor itself back far enough (with equal distance between both screws, if possible) to regain tension on the belt. Gently pull back on the stepping motor (careful of the wire leads that go to it, don't bend or break them) until there is some tension on the belt. Note where the screws are located with tension on the belt. Snug down one screw (just barely) and pull on the motor. Snug down the second screw (barely). Check the carousel alignment (the black mark) with the slot. If it's still out of alignment, it should not be out by much. Loosen a screw as needed and tug on that side of the motor until it's lined up. I do not know how much deflection there should be on the belt, just take a swag. Snug is good as far as the belt goes.

10) Tighten both screws well. Put the bottom cover on (using a few well placed screws). Make sure that the metal shafts for the cams holding the carousel in place poke through the bottom slightly. If the cover doesn't seem like it wants to fit, flip it 180 degrees and try again. ALSO NOTE: On the underside of the cover, there is a piece of brown paper. Line that up with the power supply, to prevent shorts in case something goes FUBAR down the road.

11) If you have not powered on the unit, do so now. Don't bother plugging it into the computer yet. See if you can load discs smoothly now. There should be NO resistance, the disc should simply fall until it hits the loading arm (which is extended). It should fall in straight, not at an angle. If either of these tests have failed, go back a couple of steps & realign until this part works. If you want to be POSITIVE that everything works, leave it powered up and load 200 discs. Then plug it into the computer (with the cover off) and have it take inventory through media center. Everything should move smoothly and there should be no weird straining sounds as discs are loaded / ejected.

12) Once you are satisfied that everything works ok, pull whatever discs you have loaded out, put the rest of the screws back on the bottom plate, put the plastic cover back on top, and then the metal cover.

 

 

Wow!  OK...looks like a weekend project.  I'll get into it and post back here with the results.  Keep your fingers crossed for me please and thanks!
Ted

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Vista Ult x86 | ASUS M2N-SLI Del | AMD 64 X2 5200+ | 4gb RAM + 4gb RB | MSI 8600GT | 3x HVR1800 | LC13-S | JVC 56" | PD 8.0 | FFDShow | 180.24 | VGP-XL1B | Harmony880 |80,500,750gb | WHS | FIOS

I decided to try loading just one DVD ...one more time.  It was "Remains of the Day."  Then, I went into DVD Library and saw one thumbnail displayed....but, it was Star Wars "Attack of the Clones!"  So I selected play and sure enough, it was Star Wars.  So, I ejected "Remains of the Day" and opened up the cover.  No DVDs were visible at all.  Then I realized that Star Wars was hiding somewhere.  Finally I saw a glimpse of it in the reader and was able to pry it out.  Very tough to get it open and I am amazed that it isn't damaged, if it isn't.  Put it all back together and started loading a few DVDs back and they scanned successfully.  Now, of the 100 or so I loaded, I show about 9 "Errors".  Today I will try to eject them and reload.  This device is not very rugged it seems.  Thanks for all your help and instructions.
Ted

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_________________________________________
Vista Ult x86 | ASUS M2N-SLI Del | AMD 64 X2 5200+ | 4gb RAM + 4gb RB | MSI 8600GT | 3x HVR1800 | LC13-S | JVC 56" | PD 8.0 | FFDShow | 180.24 | VGP-XL1B | Harmony880 |80,500,750gb | WHS | FIOS

Man that was some great detailed instructions, I actually managed to align my unit so I got that covered. BUT, the unit won't respond to double load and eject... nothing! only re-pressing each time I want it to turn. any suggestion on that problem?

Well scratch that, multi loading works now, but it just won't be 100% in any case..

I have 8 of these things 4 of them came that way. I did not want to bother with shipping it back. So I took it appart and figured that out right away. Now I just got a new one, and it did the same. I have done this alignment 3 times now this week. I am about to take it apart again. I am querious to see what is changing. It will load the first 15-25 disks perfectly. Then will start binding, then just gets worse from there. I will eject and play the wrong disks. There is a way the clear the memory of the changer so you don't have to eject every disk. If you just remove them the changer still thinks the slots are occupied. Just unplug and remove the battery from the board underneith. Can you imagine when that battery goes dead? Problems!

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3 Sony Vaio VGX-Xl3's - Blu-Ray
8GB Ram - 12 Terrabytes
Logitech Harmony 890 / diNovo Edge
Vista Ultimate 64-bit OS
10 VGP-XL1B Disk Changers
40" Sony BRAVIA XBR5 LCD HDTV
Sony BRAVIA Theatre Micro System

Well its fixed! The plastic pully on the motor is not keyed, groved, or flat on one side. So it was slipping on the shaft. I just pulled it off and put some loc-tite on it.

Been working for a week now!

 

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3 Sony Vaio VGX-Xl3's - Blu-Ray
8GB Ram - 12 Terrabytes
Logitech Harmony 890 / diNovo Edge
Vista Ultimate 64-bit OS
10 VGP-XL1B Disk Changers
40" Sony BRAVIA XBR5 LCD HDTV
Sony BRAVIA Theatre Micro System