[Rather long] Read problem with Sony DRU-700A

I'm having problems with my new 2nd optical drive, a Sony DRU-700A dvd
writer. It seems to write CDs and DVDs perfectly satisfactorily, and my
original drive (Pioneer DVR-104) can read them fine -- but the Sony
can't reliably read CDs or DVDs, even those it's written itself.

At first I thought it might be a simple fault with the device so I got a
replacement -- but that behaves identically, unfortunately. Here's a
log from Nero when the thing is trying to play an audio CD, and if
anyone can spot a problem I'd be intensely grateful:

Matti

Version 1, 3, 0, 19
1200-2000-0030-0516-2800-4551

Windows XP 5.1
IA32
WinAspi: -
ahead WinASPI: File 'C:\Program Files\Ahead\Nero\Wnaspi32.dll':
Ver=2.0.1.59, size=160016 bytes, created 16/12/2003 20:18:06
Nero API version: 6.3.1.10
Using interface version: 5.5.7.8
Installed in: C:\Program Files\Ahead\Nero\
Application: ahead\NeroMIX

=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral : WDC WD1200JB-00CRA1 atapi Port 0 ID
0 DMA: On
DiskPeripheral : WDC WD1200JB-00CRA1 atapi Port 0 ID
1 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : SONY DVD RW DRU-700A atapi Port 1 ID
0 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-104 atapi Port 1 ID
1 DMA: On

=== CDRom-Device-Map ===
SONY DVD RW DRU-700A Z: CDRom0
PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-104 Y: CDRom1
=======================

AutoRun : 1
Excluded drive IDs:
CmdQueuing : 1
CmdNotification: 2
WriteBufferSize: 74448896 (0) Byte
ShowDrvBufStat : 0
EraseSpeed : 0
BUFE : 0
Physical memory : 511MB (523808kB)
Free physical memory: 212MB (217912kB)
Memory in use : 58 %
Uncached PFiles: 0x0
Use Static Write Speed Table: 0
Use Inquiry : 1
Global Bus Type: default (0)
Check supported media : Disabled (0)

30.8.2004
NeroAPI
12:59:23 #1 SCSI -1024 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1185
SCSI Exec, HA 1, TA 0, LUN 0, buffer 0x0453A758
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x04 (KEY_HARDWARE_ERROR)
Sense Code: 0x08
Sense Qual: 0x03
CDB Data: 0xBE 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x89 0x35 0x00 0x00 0x0D 0xF8 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0x70 0x00 0x04 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x0A
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x08 0x03

12:59:23 #2 SCSI -1024 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1185
SCSI Exec, HA 1, TA 0, LUN 0, buffer 0x04532FE8
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x04 (KEY_HARDWARE_ERROR)
Sense Code: 0x08
Sense Qual: 0x03
CDB Data: 0xBE 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x89 0x43 0x00 0x00 0x0D 0xF8 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0x70 0x00 0x04 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x0A
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x08 0x03

12:59:23 #3 SCSI -1024 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1185
SCSI Exec, HA 1, TA 0, LUN 0, buffer 0x04532FE8
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x04 (KEY_HARDWARE_ERROR)
Sense Code: 0x08
Sense Qual: 0x03
CDB Data: 0xBE 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x89 0x43 0x00 0x00 0x01 0xF8 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0x70 0x00 0x04 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x0A
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x08 0x03

12:59:23 #4 Text 0 File AudioTrackReadPFile.cpp, Line 244
Audio - CD-Copy : Read Errors on Source Disc

12:59:23 #5 CDR -1024 File AudioTrackReadPFile.cpp, Line 386
Communication failure


Existing drivers:
File 'Drivers\PXHELP20.SYS': Ver=2.02.42a, size=17184 bytes, created
21/10/2002 09:33:40 (Prassi/Veritas driver for win 2K)

Registry Keys:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\AllocateCDROMs : 0 (Security Option)
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