Burning problems even with Verbatim media

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Level 2

185 points

Burning problems even with Verbatim media

I'm having lots of problems burning DVD's with my MBP 2.4 Santa Rosa onto both Verbatim single and dual layer discs. Most people agree that Verbatim makes the best media. In fact, Apple also recommends Verbatim media, which is what they sell at the Apple Store.

My Superdrive model is HL-DT-ST DVDRW GSA-S10N with a Firmware AP09.

Single layer discs will fail right at the beginning of burning, and dual layer discs seem to fail in the middle of the burn at the layer change. The failures seem to happen regardless of burn speed, and test burns are always successful.

I thought that my Superdrive might need to be repaired or replaced, but the strange thing is that I went to the Apple Store and tried burning on a MBP Penryn with the same Superdrive but with firmware AP12, and the burn also failed at the beginning.

I then tried burning on a MacBook with the same Superdrive but with firmware BP10, and the burn was successful.

There are lots of threads about disc burning problems, but the ones I've seen all involve using media from other manufacturers. The recommended solution is to try Verbatim media, which is what I'm using. Any thoughts?

15-inch MacBook Pro 2.4GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.3)

Posted on Jun 20, 2008 2:05 PM

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Answer 1

Geez@

Level 1

5 points

Jul 1, 2008 12:10 AM in response to Peter Lin

I'm having similar problems on my Santa Rose macBook Pro 15 inch 2.4, but only with 'dual layer' (DL) DVD's.

Burning DVD's and CD's works fine, but burning DL's isn't possible.

The brand of DL's is Verbatim +R. I was able to burn them fine about 2/ 3 months ago.

I've had 2 different errors in various burning software (Toast, imgburn etc).
'Cannot calibrate laser power'
'Invalid field in the CDB'

I've also noted yesterday that my 'system profile' did not show DL in the list of burn capabilities.

For that reason I've reset the SMC ( http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1411).

My MBP now displays DL in the 'system profiler', but it still won't burn DL's.

Only thing I can personally do is insert a 'cleaning cd'.

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Answer 2

Geez@

Level 1

5 points

Jul 1, 2008 12:55 PM in response to Geez@

Few hours ago I've bought and tried a 'Laser lens cleaner' CD. I always thought these products do more harm than good, I was wrong.

I've inserted the cleaning CD specialized for DVD ROM players/ writes and played track 12, like it instructed me too.

After it finished playing, I ejected the disc and put in an empty Verbatim Dual layer +R DVD. I tried to burn a part of my MP3 collection with Toast. A few seconds past, after I insterted the DVD, and my MBP was making funny noises. It then spit out the DVD without mounting or showing me an error.

At that time I was worried my lens was damaged during the cleaning and I was starting to plan a trip to the Apple Store.

The second attempt I inserted another DL DVD, but this time it was accepted almost instantly! I've started Toast again and after a few seconds it started to burn!

After Toast was finished I tried Paralles with XP and imgburn. Again a disc got succesfully burned!

In my case the cleaning worked! Somehow the lens of the optical drive in the MacBook Pro is extremely sensitive.

My advice so far if you experience the same problems as I did:
- Use Verbatim as your DVD Dual layer brand
- Use a 'Laser / optical lens cleaner' CD

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