Alvin777

Q: Is There a Way to Adjust the Potentiometer of the Late 2009 iMac's Superdrive?

Hi. Like in gaming consoles and some PC writers, is there a way to adjust the potentiometer of the CD lens of the Superdrive (Superdrive DVD-lens is working. It can't read CDs but it can burn and read DVDs) to make the CD lens powerful again?

 

Thank you. Have a great week.

 

God bless. Matt. 16:18

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1), iMac Late 2009

Posted on Jul 25, 2016 8:12 AM

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Q: Is There a Way to Adjust the Potentiometer of the Late 2009 iMac's Superdrive?

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  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Jul 25, 2016 9:07 AM in response to Alvin777
    Level 9 (58,130 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jul 25, 2016 9:07 AM in response to Alvin777

    Sorry Matt there is not a method to do this. What you can do is attempt to clean the lens using a CD/DVD drive cleaning kit. Either that or replace the drive with an external DVD drive.

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Jul 25, 2016 2:43 PM in response to Alvin777
    Level 8 (48,595 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 25, 2016 2:43 PM in response to Alvin777

    Alvin, the optical drive laser diode is one of the most life-limited components in any computer. They degrade over time, and eventually will not burn either CDs or DVDs. Using a "cleaning CD" might restore some life to it, but even if it does it is likely to last only for short amount of time at best.

     

    Fortunately the entire optical drive is inexpensively replaced, if you are willing to perform the somewhat tedious work involved. I suggest you peruse iFixit.com for an illustrated guide as well as a source for a replacement drive. It's not the only parts source; here is another: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Hitachi-LG/HLDSCA40N/. I am reasonably certain Apple no longer stocks replacement optical drives.