MacBook Pro will not read DVD-R

I have had similar problems and have hunted for an answer, too. I have problems loading and installing programs/applications (specifically Office) from the DVDs that Microsoft sends with the software.

Under another thread here I saw that some others are having problems with CDs and they've found solace through resetting the PRAM. I know that's listed on the Apple Site somewhere and will give it a try. Can't really hurt, I guess

I am yet another with the same problem.

Doesn't matter what brand of DVD-R I use, the SuperDrive won't read it. Tried resetting P-RAM. Nothing.

SuperDrive seems to be OK with professionally recorded films on DVD and software DVDs. Just won't accept blank DVDs. Rejects them before I have a chance to open toast or iDVD.

Here's information about the SuperDrive I have. Look to the left of my post to see my Laptop model and OS:

MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-85J:

Firmware Revision: FAV1
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipped/Supported)
Cache: 2048 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -RW, +R, +RW, +R DL
Burn Underrun Protection CD: Yes
Burn Underrun Protection DVD: Yes
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, DVD-DAO
Media: No

Since my last post, I spoke with Apple Tech Support. My MBP is under Applecare. Tech support person had me flash P-RAM and repair permissions. Also updated to Leopard 10.5.5. Optical drive still refuses to do anything with blank DVDs; reads software disks and professionally recorded movie disks just fine.

I have had the same problem. After reading several other messages regarding their MBP's not reading DVD-R's, I took the advice of purchasing a DVD/CD laser cleaner.

I bought the SkipDR Any Lens Cleaner, with 10 tiny brushes on the underside of the disk. I got it from Circuit City for $14.99. After just one use of the cleaning disk, the drive now recognizes blank DVD-R disks.

Hopefully, it will also solve the recent problem of recorded disks not passing verification in Toast.

Here's to adding to the growing list. 15" MBP that's been spitting out brand new Sony DVD-Rs all day. It DID acknowledge a DVD-R once but that was it!

Keep reading all over the place that replacement is the only viable option, which is alright given I'm on APP. The wait however's going to be a real ***! I want a quicker solution *beats fists on table*!

I'm facing the same problem. When I called the customer care, the reply I get is "ask the provider to issue a CD that is compatible with the mac book". This kind of driving me crazy

I found an article in support called "DVD/CD burning issues resolved" I've had the same problems develop on 3 macs in the past.

This thread recommends buying an aerosol of compressed air from an electronics wholesaler and using a fine nozzle blast your superdrive clean. Make sure it is a can of clean air (electronics grade). the idea is to clean and not contaminate the laser lens. seems to have worked for quite a few people.

I always thought it strange that DVD's burned fine for 2 years with this laptop then stopped working. dirt makes perfect sense.

I can't thank you enough for the advice about cleaning the DV lens. For the past year I have been having major problems with recording to DV. I assumed it was the discs so I spent a fortune trying out different brand discs. Some would work for awhile but then wouldn't work. So, after reading your comment, I went out and bought a cheap CD that you pop into the disc drive and it is supposed to clean the lens. I didn't expect much but amazingly the DV recorder now works perfectly and all the discs I thought didn't work in it, now do. Amazing really. Thanx again for advice about the cleaning. Very much appreciated.

I am also having a similar problem. Game DVD's or CD's will read fine but any other blank dvds I put in are read as blank even if there are multiple files on them. My machine is under warranty but I would love to do a simple fix at home rather then send my machine off. Here's what system profiler says

HL-DT-ST DVDRW GSA-S10N:

Firmware Revision: AP09
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipping Drive)
Cache: 2048 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -R DL, -RW, +R, +R DL, +RW
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, CD-Raw, DVD-DAO
Media: Insert media and refresh to show available burn speeds

i have to say i took the guys advise and bought lens cleaner, and once i used it, everything working perfectly. note: i upgraded my machine from tiger to leopard

iMac Configuration:
Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac6,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.16 GHz

Disc Burning:
MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-85J:

Firmware Revision: FCQA
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipping Drive)
Cache: 2048 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -RW, +R, +R DL, +RW
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, DVD-DAO
Media: Insert media and refresh to show available burn speeds

Thanks a ton!
The Lens Cleaner CD did the trick!

My MBP kept ejecting every brand of blank DVD-R's. I am overseas so at first I blamed the brands, that the discs were crap, but when I got hold of the brand I use at home and they didn't work aswell, I went on the search for a solution.
Luckily its that simple and not having to go through the trouble of AppleCare in South America!

Thank you!

Thanks for the tip...Mine would recognize CD-Rs, but not DVD-Rs. The canned air did the trick. I knew it wasn't the brand/type of DVD as I have used 1/2 of the 100 disc stack already, and all of a sudden it quit working.

OK Here is the problem.... A firmware update was issued through software update that has resulted in the problems that, it seems thousands of MBP owners and Superdrive owners in general are having.

I have 7 Macs in total at home and in the office and the superdrive all seem to have developed the same problem. I have been all over the web, spoken to apple and got a similar list of fixes, clean the lens, flash the pram, reboot try better disks. None of these worked.

The big unanswered question for AppleCare was why would macs in 2 different locations develop the same problem at roughly the same time unless there was a common connection such as software update?

Having read a number of blogs it seems like the only root to success is to replace the superdrive.

http://www.richardmondello.com/2008/02/16/macbook-pro-matshita-superdrive-21-sol ution/

I'll be writing and e-mailing as Richard suggests to get the drives replaced and will be much more cautious with software update in future.

I would advise you all to start complaining to apple, print out all the blogs and posts of all the people who are experiencing the same problem. There are a lot of us and Apple should no longer be ignoring us.

I tried the canned air a few weeks back. it helped for a while but no longer works

Hi there everyone!

I have read this post and realized this is the exact same problem I have with my 15" MBP. It happened just yesterday. I put in a burnt disk from a mate, and then I tried to put it in about 2 hours later and no suck luck with reading the disk. It hisses and after about 10 - 15 seconds it ejects itself...

Ive tried resetting the PRAM and Disk permissions. I have installed XP in VMWare recently.. could it be a driver issue? where would i get a new driver?

I'm going to buy a cleaning disk when im next in the city.

This is so frustrating..

If you need anymore info - ask me