Dvd not working cds do xp pro sev2pack - Sony VAIO FRV Notebook

is the DVD writer the original unit in the notebook ? if not usre, refer to the manual -- if you dont have manual, go here (it will cost a little )
http://user-guides.co.uk/cddownload/Toshiba/ToshibaSatellite/Toshiba-Satellite-Pro-A100-TOSHIBA-Satellite-A100-Satellite-Pro-A100-161676.html

before you format, try replacing the DVD writer another unit similar

buy recovery CDs here
http://restore-disk.com/restoredisks/Toshiba/ToshibaSatellite/Toshiba-Satellite-A100-S8111TD-with-Intel-Celeron-Processors-XP-Driver-421349.html

i would restore the notebook to factory settings -- this is the best option in getting the computer back to the way it worked originally going to the factory settings management portion in the system and or use your recovery CDs to format and re isntall everything

If you have SP3 installed, try removing it. It makes problem with some optical drives.
Try new Free Nero 9
http://www.nero.com/eng/downloads-nero9-free.php

Common problem associated with XP SP3. After updating to SP3 there's a probem with CD/DVD recognition. Here's the Microsoft patch below:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925196#fixit4me

Best of Luck!
Greg

Have you inserted any PRE written Disks, Store bought programs, let concentrate in the DVD drive, Try inserting a store bought program disk into the DVD drive.

Download the six winxp install floppies,,from bootdisk.com and install that way.
Your PC was not meant for XP it was meant for Millenium at most.
But if you load through floppies and then use the cd you should be OK

the XP driver really should work appropriately. I might assume that the drive is damaged (which happens to me frequently with older DVD drives).

If the dvd is not being seen try cleaning very gently with a damp cotton bud the lens in the optical drive drawer. If it is seeing the files on a dvd but unable to play them you need software or codecs, try BS PLAYER which is available for free download.

Most likely your CD-DVD burning software is corrupted. When that happens, the machine doesn't recognize the existence of the CD/DVD hardware. Clean up your machine, defrag, run a freeware registry cleaer-defragmenter (see C-net for a good one). Then Reinstall/upgrade your burning software (the Windows XP software is not sufficient) either from HP/Compaq, if it came with your machine, or the program website if you purchased it separately. You may find out which it is by using a marvelous freeware program called Belarc advisor.

Just replace the drive - the Teac CD-224E is housed in the SelectBay housing and any Teac CD-224E that came out of Toshiba will do. eBay would be your best bet. If you pay more than $10 then you must be a tourist...

Windows 98 SE, "Millennium", 2000, XP (XP recommended) Intel Pentium or AMD Athlon 800 MHz or higher (1.5 GHz or higher recommended) 256 MB RAM (512 MB recommended) Direct X-compatible graphics card (ATI Radeon or Nvidia Geforce 2 or higher recommended) Direct X-compatible sound card Mouse CD-ROM drive Optional CD burner for creating Video CDs or SuperVideo CDs Optional DVD burner drive for creating DVDs