Sony CRX160 CD-RW not working

[BrianF]

This CD-RW has not worked since updating the firmware several years ago when it was still supported by Sony. It is not recognised by Windows98 or WindowsXP.
Can it be reset?

 

[raybay]

For some reason, the Sony CD-RW and DVD-RW's have been big trouble. Sony is now into an agreement with NEC to stem the tide of bad optical drives and damage to their reputation, but so far even the Sony-Nec are not up to the reliability of LiteOn, Samsung, LG, Plextor, and Pioneer.