Blank DVDs not showing in Finder

Question

Blank DVDs not showing in Finder

I am trying to back up some files, but when I insert a blank DVD-RW and select the "Open Finder" option nothing happens. The blank DVD-RW doesn't show up in Finder, although it does appear in Disk Utility.

Also, DVD-RW that have programmes on them recorded from TV don't do anything either - I get the "You inserted a blank DVD..." dialogue. DVD games do work, however, as do commercial DVDs (which open the DVD Player application).

I have tried re-booting and using several blank DVD-RW discs but the same thing happens.

Can anyone help me with this? I hope my SuperDrive isn't faulty.

Thanks in advance,
Dan
--------------------------------------------
Here are the SuperDrive details from System Profiler:

ATA-6 Bus:

Vendor ID: 0x106b
Device ID: 0x0050
Revision ID: 0x0000

MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-825:

Manufacturer: MATSHITA
Model: MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-825
Revision: DBN7
Serial Number:
Drive Type: CD-RW/DVD-RW
Disc Burning: Apple Supported/Shipped
Removable Media: Yes
Detachable Drive: No
Protocol: ATAPI
Unit Number: 0
Socket Type: Internal

iMac G5 Rev A, Mac OS X (10.3.x)

Posted on Mar 15, 2008 9:21 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 29, 2008 11:14 AM in response to Daniel Walker3

I have the exact same problem. Can someone help us out? Seemed to occur after a routine security update several months ago in my case.

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Answer 2

Mar 29, 2008 11:50 AM in response to yourcoach

Hi yourcoach,

First of all, Welcome to the  Discussion Forums!

Although your problem may be the same as the original posters it is always a better idea to start a new topic with your question so as not to confuse the help each is receiving.

That said, what do you have ticked under Finder>Preferences>General tab>Show these items on Desktop: ? Additionally, what do you have selected under the pop up menu for System Preferences>Hardware>CD's and DVD's>When you insert a blank CD/DVD?

littleshoulders 🙂

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Answer 3

Mar 29, 2008 11:53 AM in response to Daniel Walker3

Hi Daniel,

If you are still following your topic, please read my post to the other poster above and see if either amy apply to your situation. Post back with any comments or questions.

littleshoulders 🙂

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Answer 4

Mar 30, 2008 2:06 PM in response to littleshoulders

I have "Ask what to do" in the system preferences for both CD and DVD.
In Finder preferences I have show CDs/DVDs on desktop ticked.

Thanks,
Dan

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Answer 5

Mar 31, 2008 1:44 AM in response to Daniel Walker3

I have "Ask what to do" in the system preferences for both CD and DVD

Does it make any difference if you select Show in Finder in the System Preferences>CDs & DVDs>When you insert a blank DVD?

littleshoulders 🙂

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Answer 6

Mar 31, 2008 4:09 AM in response to Daniel Walker3

Try setting it to something else, such as Ignore. Then set it back to +Ask what to do+.

Sometimes you just need to make a change to rewrite that preference file before it does what it's supposed to do.

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Answer 7

Mar 31, 2008 7:03 AM in response to littleshoulders

Thanks for the tip. I'm new to these kinds of forums. Check my reply to a later post for the answers to your questions.

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Answer 8

Mar 31, 2008 7:06 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Thanks. That's exactly what I had to do. The settings were previously assigned just as everyone had been suggesting, but when I toggled them, VOILA everything started working.

Thanks, everyone! Great to know this forum exists.

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Answer 9

Mar 31, 2008 10:02 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried changing both the System Preferences and Finder Preferences, as suggested, but still neither CDs or DVDs show in the Finder or Desktop.

What's worrying is that it asks me what I want to do - so it knows I've inserted a disc - but when I click 'Open in Finder' it doesn't even open a Finder window (when there are none already open).

In Disk Utility, the DVD shows up but one of the notes at the bottom says 'Write Ability: *Read Only* (DVD-RW)', or in the case of a CD, 'Read Only (CD-RW). I don't know if that's correct or not. (My emphasis.)

I have re-installed OS X (10.3) once before due to another, unrelated, problem and I suspect that I haven't been able to see blank CDs/DVDs in Finder since then, although I can't be 100% sure of that.

Any further suggestions much appreciated. I'm really hoping to avoid another OS X re-install.

Thanks,
Dan

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Answer 10

Mar 31, 2008 2:47 PM in response to Daniel Walker3

As a test, create a new admin user account using System Preferences Accounts pane. Log out and log in to that new account. Does the new account also have this problem?

If not, you have at least narrowed the problem down to something in your normal user account. If the problem does happen in the new account, the problem is in the overall system (or possibly hardware).

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Answer 11

Apr 1, 2008 9:39 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

I created a new admin account, logged out, logged back in to the new account, but the DVDs/CDs don't open in Finder (or show on the desktop). iDVD and iTunes will still open if I select that option, just not Finder. It's as if Finder is not 'refreshing'.

Could there be a system setting that's over-riding my user settings? Something in /Library/Preferences vs. /Users/Dan/Library/Preferences? I'm not sure what files to check.

Thanks,
Dan

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