poikkeus1

Q: Dead burner - what to do?

I have an 2009 iMac, and it's working fine...except the Superdrive is burning DVDs with lots of errors; maybe it's time to get a new external burner.

 

I checked out units from OWC, but I wanted to look at the Apple Superdrive, too. Is it true that the 2009 iMac won't work with an external Superdrive. I've received conflicting information on this, and I wanted to confirm (or refute) it.

 

Thanks!

iMac (24-inch Early 2009), iOS 7.0.3

Posted on Nov 3, 2013 10:17 AM

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Q: Dead burner - what to do?

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  • by Baby Boomer (USofA),Helpful

    Baby Boomer (USofA) Baby Boomer (USofA) Nov 3, 2013 10:47 AM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 9 (57,655 points)
    Nov 3, 2013 10:47 AM in response to poikkeus1

    with lots of errors;

    Care to share what those errors stated?

     

    I wanted to look at the Apple Superdrive, too.

    Your iMac is not compatible.  Read Apple's drive system requirements.

     

    Is it true that the 2009 iMac won't work with an external Superdrive.

    False.

     

    ================

     

     

    Another help source (if you haven't already done so).

     

    Go to your OS Help Menu.  In the search field type dvd

    Click on all the troubleshooting topics & Support Articles that pertain to  your issue.

     

    You can also do the same in Disk Utility.  Open same up.

    At the bottom left of the window, click on the purple button w/the "?" in the middle.

    This will bring up the Help Menu.

     

    ===============

     

    Try a different brand.  Top forum favorites

    CDs

    FUJI

    TDK

    Verbatim

     

    DVDs

    Maxell

    Verbatim

     

    ==============

     

    Apple's Disc Burning Quick Assist

     

     

     

    Make sure the DVDs are not dirty, smudged and/or scratched.

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2000 Mac doesn't start up from install disc

     


    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2801 Apple Computers: Troubleshooting the slot-loading SuperDrive

     

     

     

    *** Your drive may need cleaning.  Cleaning kits can be purchased from any store that sells CD/DVDs. ***

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    2ue5vgy.gif

  • by den.thed,Helpful

    den.thed den.thed Nov 3, 2013 11:00 AM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 7 (27,743 points)
    Nov 3, 2013 11:00 AM in response to poikkeus1

    If you look at the Apple USB SuperDrive System Requirement real close:

     

    Plus why would you buy another Superdrive, when most any more reliable tray or slot loading DVD Drive cost less.

     

    I really like my > LG Electronics GE24LU20 - Best Buy it's way faster, more relable than any Superdrive and works great with my iMac and Mac Mini.

  • by Donald Morgan,

    Donald Morgan Donald Morgan Nov 3, 2013 10:56 AM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 6 (12,783 points)
    Nov 3, 2013 10:56 AM in response to poikkeus1

    The new exrenal USB Superdrive will plug into your mac snd work fine. The new 2013 iMacs do not have a Superdrive and use the USB Superdrive.They are under $100.00

  • by poikkeus1,

    poikkeus1 poikkeus1 Nov 3, 2013 11:50 AM in response to Donald Morgan
    Level 4 (1,597 points)
    iPad
    Nov 3, 2013 11:50 AM in response to Donald Morgan

    Care to share what those errors stated?

    I'm happy to share.

     

    Before all burns, there’s a low-pitched “grind”; this happened rarely when the Superdisk was new; now, it happens every time.

     

    In addition, some DVDs I've used before (like Taiyo-Yuden) are now rejected.

    Verbatim DVD-R’s end up with this error:

         “Sense Key = MEDIUM ERROR

          Sense Code = 0x0C

          WRITE ERROR"

     

    Moreover, when I used the same Verbatim DVD-Rs on my MacBook Pro, they burned fine. I use Toast Titanium.

     

    Otherwise, the iMac’s Superdrive works fine:

     

    Imports, encodes, burns all personal and commercial CD tracks ++++

    Plays all DVDs ++++

    Plays all CDs ++++

     

    Thanks for your help, everyone!

  • by baltwo,Solvedanswer

    baltwo baltwo Nov 3, 2013 1:05 PM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 9 (62,256 points)
    Nov 3, 2013 1:05 PM in response to poikkeus1

    poikkeus1 wrote:

    … I wanted to look at the Apple Superdrive, too. Is it true that the 2009 iMac won't work with an external Superdrive. I've received conflicting information on this, and I wanted to confirm (or refute) it.

    To avoid all confusion, your iMac doesn't meet the requirements for the USB SuperDrive.

     

    Screen shot 2013-11-03 at 13.03.14 PM.png

  • by LowLuster,

    LowLuster LowLuster Nov 3, 2013 1:47 PM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 6 (12,074 points)
    Nov 3, 2013 1:47 PM in response to poikkeus1

    It is not true, kind of, that your 2009 won't work with the Apple Superdrive. It is True that the Apple Superdrive will NOT work with any Mac that originally came with a built in DVD drive.

     

    Cut to the chase, buy any other brand external DVD drive that connects by USB port and it Will Work with your Mac computer. Most cost around $30.

    poikkeus1 wrote:

     

    I have an 2009 iMac, and it's working fine...except the Superdrive is burning DVDs with lots of errors; maybe it's time to get a new external burner.

     

    I checked out units from OWC, but I wanted to look at the Apple Superdrive, too. Is it true that the 2009 iMac won't work with an external Superdrive. I've received conflicting information on this, and I wanted to confirm (or refute) it.

     

    Thanks!

  • by poikkeus1,

    poikkeus1 poikkeus1 Nov 3, 2013 6:56 PM in response to LowLuster
    Level 4 (1,597 points)
    iPad
    Nov 3, 2013 6:56 PM in response to LowLuster

    I'm going to follow the instructions of forum members.

     

    1. As I have a 2009 iMac, I will not purchase an Apple Superdrive - if it comes to that. Several cheaper and possibly better options are available, including several from OWC.

    2. Information from Toast errors have indicated that DVD mastering is currently not possible. I'm ordering a new spindle of Sony DVD-Rs, and they've always worked for me.If still no go - it's time to get an external DVD.

    3. I've cleaned my Superdrive with compressed air and a DVD cleaner. No luck.

    4. I've deleted the Roxio plist file - no luck.

    5. Still no information why there's no problem burning CDs or playing DVDs; but burning DVDs doesn't seem possible right now.

  • by baltwo,

    baltwo baltwo Nov 3, 2013 11:40 PM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 9 (62,256 points)
    Nov 3, 2013 11:40 PM in response to poikkeus1

    thumbsup.gif  Good computing and burning.

  • by poikkeus1,

    poikkeus1 poikkeus1 Nov 5, 2013 3:59 PM in response to baltwo
    Level 4 (1,597 points)
    iPad
    Nov 5, 2013 3:59 PM in response to baltwo

    There's always a new twist.

     

    I was pricing out new external combo drives vs repairs to my iMac's Superdrive, and came up with prices of around $50 (for externals) and around $250 (for replacement and repair). Then, I got a new bunch of Sony DVD-R blanks - which have always worked for me. Let's try them out.

     

    And guess what? The Sony DVD-R burned successfully! It looks like the problem is solved (so long as I use Sony for my iMac); I'll continue using Verbatim with my MacBook Pro. I don't know why a Superdrive will recognize one disk and reject another, but as long as everything's fixed, I'm not worrying.

  • by baltwo,

    baltwo baltwo Nov 5, 2013 4:03 PM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 9 (62,256 points)
    Nov 5, 2013 4:03 PM in response to poikkeus1

    Thanks for the additional feedback.

  • by LowLuster,

    LowLuster LowLuster Nov 5, 2013 4:07 PM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 6 (12,074 points)
    Nov 5, 2013 4:07 PM in response to poikkeus1