Unable to read DVDs on iMac G4

I had a similar problem with two of my macs after I updated to OS 10.4.9, specifically a G4 flat panel iMac, and a 15" G4 Powerbook, except in my case I could not read any movie DVD and most burned DVDs. CDs worked fine.

I tried updating my iMac G4 to the 10.4.10 update, but that did not solve the problem. So I booted off my original Tiger 10.4 disk and used the "Archive and Install" option to reinstall OS 10.4 from scratch. This was a bit of a desperation move as a lot of applications install things into the system library that will not be there anymore after the reinstall (though you can retrieve them from the archived system or simply reinstall them if you have the original disks).

Anyway, the process worked and my DVD drive worked as normal after the revert back to 10.4. (That is, the drive could now read all disks including movie DVDs again.) After that, I installed the combo updater to OS 10.4.10 (i.e. skipping all of the incremental updates including OS 10.4.9) and the DVD player continued to work as normal, I could still read movie and burned DVDs without any problem.

As an additional bonus to performing this process, my iMac works better and faster than ever now. My iTunes 7.3 could not play movies or videos for the longest time without skipping so badly it wasn't worth the effort. Now they play wonderfully and smooth. I think I can put off buying that new iMac for awhile now. I have yet to try the process with my Powerbook G4, but I will as soon as I have time to back everything up properly.

Message was edited by: patriotusa

And I too am having the same problem Buzz - my iMac will recognize CDs but it won't launch a DVD (including the original Tiger Disk). i also posted this on the MacFixit Forum and got some suggestions but nothing, absolutely nothing worked. i'm at a loss as to what to do (as i really don't want the expense of taking it in to Apple to get a new one installed - i checked out the links in "mr totes" advice in a previous message but it is way too complicated for me to install a new one).

i don't know about your mac but mine started "acting funny" after the 10.4.10 update. prior to that, it was fine. hmmmmmm, what to do, what to do?????

Yep, exact same issue, except I'm using an iMac G5.

No DVD reading, but can write DVDs. CDs are no problem. The issue exists whether I use burnable DVDs or purchased movies. It began awhile ago, but I figured it was an problem with the disk or some other random thing. Now I need the drive and I'm stuck. This has me wondering if the timing coincides with the 10.4.10 upgrade...

No help here; just another fellow looking for help.

Is it all DVD's or just DVD-r's?

If it's DVD-r's, try another brand. I have an issue with mine reading TDK brand DVD-r's, though it can read Sony and Apple brand just fine.

I have the same problem as Dr. Melvin Winter. Have you tried patriotusa's suggestion yet? Does it work for you?

I have the same problem--and because it won't recognize DVD's (CDs are fine), it won't reboot off the System disk. So I can't try this method. Any other suggestions?

i'm having a similar problem as you all but my computer won't read cd's and DVD's. I've tried about every cd and dvd i have but nothing works. Looks like we all need to get new computers soon.

This is the discussion area for the iMac G4



Since you have an iMac G5 you probably want to post your question in the iMac G5 discussion area.